NCJ Number
200170
Date Published
April 2003
Length
68 pages
Annotation
This report explores why analysis is crucial to problemsolving in policing and discusses various types of policing problem analysis, the skills and knowledge needed for such analysis, and ways to advance problem analysis in policing.
Abstract
"Problem analysis" is defined as "the process of conducting in-depth, systematic analysis and assessment of crime problems at the local level." In a police agency, problem analysis is performed by personnel either working within the organization or working very closely with it. The role of analysis in problem solving is vital, because it involves the in-depth examination of underlying factors that lead to crime and disorder problems for which effective responses can be developed and through which assessment can be conducted to determine the relevance and success of the responses. The origin of this report is the Problem-Analysis Forum 2002, in which distinguished scholars, practitioners, and policymakers were convened by the Police Foundation and the U.S. Justice Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to discuss issues, guidelines, and recommendations for problem analysis in policing. This report compares problem analysis, beat-level problem solving, and crime analysis, noting that problem analysis is different from crime analysis as currently practiced. The discussion of the knowledge required to conduct problem analysis focuses on criminological theory, relevant literature, research methods, data and data integrity, technology, statistics, geographic information systems and spatial analysis, history and current state of policing, policing and the criminal justice system, problem-oriented policing, understanding crime problems, and urban issues and policies/strategic planning. The discussion of skills addresses communication, literature-review skills, critical thinking, research skills, the use of technology, data management, and project management. Also discussed are the roles that various institutions and agencies within the policing community can take to assist in the integration and advancement of problem analysis. An agenda for advancing problem analysis is presented. 6 references, and 21 resources