Predictive Policing and the Use of COMPSTAT

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IT uses data and algorithms to predict crimes in certain geographical hotspots in an effort to prevent potential crimes in those targeted areas. Traditional crime analytics uses a model of past events and place patrols and manpower in locations to curb crime rates in certain zones of a city or county. Law enforcement also still uses a reactive model in solving crimes that occur and make arrests based on investigations and evidence. “Predictive policing entails becoming less reactive. “The predictive vision moves law enforcement from focusing on what happened to focusing on what will happen and how to effectively deploy resources in front of crime, thereby changing outcomes," writes Charlie Beck, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.” 1 Random rounds and beats travelled by police personnel in districts and zones created from geographical boundaries have dominated law enforcement techniques for the last forty years. Although in more recent times, agencies have moved toward a more community based approach of officers using their best problem solving methods to limit problems and aid the public, most budgets require a more efficient leaner force to protect and enforce. Systems like COMPSTAT can take advantage of volumes of data collected by law enforcement to uncover previously unknown patterns and associations to aid officers in their efforts in enforcement and prevention. “The strategic foundation for predictive policing is clear enough. A smaller, more agile force can effectively counter larger numbers by leveraging intelligence, including the element of surprise. A force that uses intelligence to guide information-based operations can penetrate an adversary’s decision cycle and change outcomes, even in the face of a larger... ... middle of paper ... ...ages/predictive.aspx Beck, C., and McCue, C. (2009, November). Predictive Policing: What Can We Learn From Wal-Mart and Amazon About Fighting Crime in a Recession? The Police Chief. Retrieved from http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=1942&issue_id=112009 What is COMPSTAT? (2014) University of Maryland Retrieved from http://www.compstat.umd.edu/what_is_cs.php Risling, G. (2012, July). Sci-fi policing: predicting crime before it occurs. San Jose Mercury News Retrieved from http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_20984694/sci-fi-policing-predicting-crime-before-it-occurs Stroud, M. (2014, February). The minority report: Chicago's new police computer predicts crimes, but is it racist? The Verge. Retrieved from http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/19/5419854/the-minority-report-this-computer-predicts-crime-but-is-it-racist

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