The Receptivity of Officers to Empirical Research and Evidence-Based Policing: An Examination of Survey Data From Three Agencies

• NCJ Number: 251995
• Journal: Police Quarterly Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: 2014 Pages: 359-385
• Author(s): Cody W. Telep; Cynthia Lum
• Date Published: 2014
• Length: 25 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2011-DB-BX-K012
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
• Corporate Author: George Mason University
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study used officer survey data from Sacramento, California; Richmond, Virginia; and Roanoke County, Virginia to suggest prospects and challenges for advancing evidence-based policing.

Abstract

Police officer receptivity to empirical research and evidence-based policing is important to consider, because officers are responsible for implementing approaches validated by research on the street. Officer surveys for the current study generally showed that officers used few tools to learn about research, but their views were consistent with the research evidence for some strategies. Officers typically valued experience more than research to guide practice, but they also tended to recognize the importance of working with researchers to address crime. Officers showed some willingness to conduct evaluations but were most interested in using less rigorous methodologies. The findings across agencies were similar, but some differences did emerge. (Publisher abstract modified)