NCJ Number
214594
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 54 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2006 Pages: 42-44,46
Date Published
April 2006
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes and assesses the CompStat (Computerized Statistics) process developed by the New York City Police Department (NYPD), which is a goal-oriented, information-driven management process that emphasizes operational strategy and managerial accountability.
Abstract
CompStat's goal is to reduce crime and enhance the community's quality of life. The components of the process are the collection and analysis of crime data, the development of strategies to address problems, the rapid deployment of resources, and followup and accountability. The NYPD holds biweekly CompStat meetings. At each meeting, commanders are required to present an overview of police activities under his/her command as well as the strategies for addressing crime and quality-of-life issues. This approach emphasizes accountability and monitoring. CompStat's effectiveness in reducing crime has been shown through numerous statistical analyses since its inception. As of 2003, serious crime in New York City has declined for the 13th consecutive year. The CompStat model has been adopted in numerous U.S. cities under various acronyms. The cities mentioned in this article are Baltimore, MD, Lowell, MA, and Detroit, MI. Perhaps the reason for CompStat's success is its ability to combine elements of both traditional and community policing. It integrates the reactive and proactive approaches to policing by focusing on the problem, reacting to it, and using resources to address it at the community level. From a community-policing perspective, however, the CompStat process does not necessarily involve the community. An extra effort is required by commanders to identify problems and develop crime-control and quality-of-life strategies that involve input and cooperation from community residents.