Evidence-based Policing Flashcards
What is EBP?
Evidence-based policing is based upon the success of evidence-based practise of improving policing strategies and countering crime, concerned with research on what works best and keeping this going over time.
Making changes to existing practise and measuring the differences the changes make.
EBP is often contrasted with what?
Instead what does EBP emphasise?
Supposed less effective approaches to policing from the past: the so-called ‘three R’s’ of random patrol, rapid response and reactive investigations (Sherman, 2013).
Instead, EBP emphasises the ‘three T’s’ of targeting, testing and tracking.
What are the five-steps of EBP research?
a) State the question
b) Gather the existing evidence
c) Assess the existing evidence and undertake research
d) Implement the findings
e) Evaluate the implementation
Gather the existing evidence
Database of research
Academic publications
Policing professional body website
Conduct empirical research, such as randomised control trial
Assessing the existing evidence and undertaking research. What are the criteria for assessing the quality of the evidence?
Quality (validity, robustness and reliability)
Relevance (how far the evidence pertans to the specific circumstances under study).
What frameworks can be used to ‘rate and rank’ evidence?
Effect
Impact on crime
Whether the evidence suggests the intervention led to an increase, decrease or had no impact on crime.
Mechanism
How it works
What is it about the intervention that could explain its effect?
Moderators
Where it works
In what circumstances and contexts is the intervention likely to work / not work?
Implementation
How to do it
What conditions should be considered when implementing an intervention locally?
Economic cost
How much it costs
What direct or indirect costs are associated with the intervention and is there evidence of cost benefits?
What are randomised control trials?
An experiment that is conducted in a rigorous scientific manner in order to reduce bias.
