First-Line Supervision and Strategic Decision Making Under Compstat and Community Policing

• NCJ Number: 244892
• Journal: Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2013 Pages: 235-256
• Author(s): James J. Willis
• Date Published: March 2013
• Length: 22 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined how first-line supervisors reported making decisions and offering guidance on crime and disorder problems.

Abstract

Compstat and community policing are powerful movements in U.S. police reform. Although different in important respects, both are heralded for being strategic, or strengthening a police organization's capacity to detect changes in crime and disorder and respond effectively. Using data from six focus groups, this study examines how first-line supervisors reported making decisions and offering guidance on crime and disorder problems. Its major finding is that co-implementation of these reforms had affected supervision unevenly. A challenge to policymakers and researchers is to reconsider how patrol supervision in co-implementing departments might be restructured to strengthen the strategic dimensions of both reforms. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.