Virginia Beach Crime Analysis Unit Operations (From Comprehensive Evaluation of Phase One of the Virginia Beach, Virginia Police Department's Integrated Criminal Apprehension Program, P 184-200, 1980, by Wolfgang Pindur et al - See NCJ-73102)

• NCJ Number: 73107
• Author(s): W Pindur; P P Anderson
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): 78-DF-AX-0195
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; Virginia Beach Division of Police
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NCJ-73107 is available on microfiche as NCJ-73102.

Annotation

The operations of the Virginia Beach, Va., Police Department's Crime Analysis Unit (CAU) in early 1980 are described.

Abstract

The unit's four operational elements include data input, data maintenance, information analysis, and information output. The crime analysis system consists of three separate precinct offices, each staffed by a crime analyst, a part-time clerk, and a rotating crime analysis trainee. The CAU began operations in spring 1979. Each of the precinct offices tracks the following target crimes: robbery, sex crimes, commercial and residential burglary, larcenies from automobiles, and destruction of property. Each precinct emphasizes the analysis of crimes unique to its precinct as well. The basic source of information is offense reports, which are printed out at the precinct stations immediately after being entered into the system and are forwarded to the Crime Analysis Office. Field interview cards are another source of data. A daily computer printout of all calls for services in the previous 24 hours is also used, as is informal contact with patrol officers and with neighboring cities' crime analysts. Fifteen specific files are maintained. Spot maps are the main tool for detecting geographic crime patterns. Information outputs include Crime Pattern Alert Bulletins and Crime Information Bulletins. Informal contacts also promote information flow. To improve operational efficiency, better communication between the CAU offices and the Investigative Division is needed. Detectives should also be encouraged to use fully the information capacity of the crime analysis offices. Crime analysts should share information among themselves and more feedback should be encouraged from information users. Use of additional potential data sources and improved file maintenance are also recommended. Finally, elimination of destruction of property crimes from target crimes, adding prowler calls to target crimes, and improving crime analysis bulletins are recommended. This report is part of a larger evaluation of the department's Integrated Criminal Apprehension Program, which was designed to upgrade the patrol system, focus efforts on serious crimes and crimes committed by serious offenders, and increase citizen satisfaction with the department.