Chapter 11 Flashcards
Evaluating and assessing outcomes
What methods exist for evaluating a police organization’s or individual officer’s problem solving performance?
There are several methods to evaluate the problem-solving performance of a police organization or an individual officer. These methods can be broadly categorized into quantitative and qualitative methods.
Quantitative Methods
Quantitative methods involve the use of numerical data to assess performance. Here are some commonly used quantitative methods:
Crime Statistics: This involves analyzing crime rates before and after the implementation of problem-solving strategies. A decrease in crime rates can indicate effective problem-solving.
Arrest Rates: This measures the number of arrests made. However, it’s important to note that a high arrest rate doesn’t necessarily indicate effective problem-solving.
Response Times: This measures the time it takes for officers to respond to incidents. Faster response times can indicate efficient problem-solving.
Qualitative Methods
Qualitative methods involve the use of non-numerical data, such as observations and interviews, to assess performance. Here are some commonly used qualitative methods:
Observations: This involves observing officers as they perform their duties. Observations can provide insights into an officer’s problem-solving skills and approach.
Interviews: This involves conducting interviews with officers, victims, and community members. Interviews can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of problem-solving strategies.
Case Studies: This involves in-depth studies of specific incidents or cases. Case studies can provide detailed insights into the problem-solving process.
Remember, the choice of evaluation method depends on the specific goals and context of the police organization. It’s often beneficial to use a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to get a comprehensive understanding of problem-solving performance.
What are the benefits of using surveys for evaluation purposes
From a police management perspective, these surveys collect information about the most effective approaches to dealing with crime. Since these surveys provide a measure of police performance, they can be used to analyze the way police deliver services and possibly change the allocation of resources where needed.
What measures and tools are available for program evaluation?
Quantitive measures: numbers
Qualitative measures: allow comparisons, but math is typically not used with them. Although, qualitative measures are more often used for evaluations, qualitative measures can be extremely useful.
Describe the kinds of knowledge, skills, and abilities that a problem solving program evaluator must possess.
Robust skills in both statistical techniques and research methodology. Use of criminological theory is also important to examining and understanding crime and disorder problems. Fundamental understanding of SARA, police operations, and crime prevention strategies.
Describe the major differences between assessments (as defined in the SARA problem solving process) and an empirical impact evaluation of a problem solving strategy
Although they complement each other, assessment and impact evaluation have some primary differences. First of all, assessments occur at the final stage of the S.A.R.A. problem-solving process, but impact evaluation occurs the moment the S.A.R.A. problem-solving process begins. Along with this, assessments ask questions such as, “Did the response occur as planned?” and “Did the response result in fewer calls for service to the area?”. These questions establish whether the COPPS initiative resulted in some type of outcome. On the other hand, impact evaluations ask questions such as, “Did the problem decline?” and “If so, did the response cause the decline?”. These type of questions focus more on figuring out whether COPPS initiatives actually produced or caused the outcomes. In simpler terms, impact evaluation takes the assessment process a step further looking at the causes rather than just looking to see if there was an outcome.
Measurement validity:
actually record the problem and not something else.
RAND Benchmark Program
Software application developed by the RAND corporation for policing agencies to fairly and accurately evaluate and monitor officer performance.
Empirical Study:
police agencies either use special trained in house personnel or obtains pro bono the assistance of someone trained in social research from a nearby college or university to set up and perform an impact evaluation.
True or false:
An assessment completely and accurately measures whether or not a particular problem oriented policing initiative made a difference, while an impact evaluation of the initiative does not.
False
True or false:
Understanding and accomplishing the SARA problem solving process is sufficient for knowing whether or not police responses to crime actually worked.
False
True or false:
Performing assessments and impact evaluations of police problem solving efforts involve essentially the same approaches and personal skills and abilities.
False
True or false:
Learning “what works” in crime prevention programs is critical for criminal justice as well as for policing.
True
True or false:
Community surveys are a vital part of the police problem solving strategy
True
