Predictive Policing

Predictive Policing

AnJanette Harris

Strayer University

Dr. Emmanuel Nyeanchi

22 October 2013

Abstract

The police departments of the United States are starting to utilize a new crime fighting system called Compstat. Compstat predicts future crime and allows the police force to be in the right place at the right time. It is more than just software, it is a complete system. Compstat has shown that information systems can assist in preventing and fighting crime. It has allowed police forces to respond to calls quicker and with fewer units out on patrol. It has made police forces more efficient than if the units just go and do random patrols. It implements the four basic information system functions. Since police units are already in the area they can respond faster to calls due to the prediction from Compstat. Overall when using Compstat, police departments seem to respond quicker, make more arrests and show a decrease in crime. There are problems, just like every information system, but it seems that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Keywords: Compstat, information system, crime

Predictive Policing

Predictive policing can be described as taking data from different sources and then analyzing them. Then taking the results and using them to anticipate and prevent future crime. It gives police forces the opportunity to respond more effectively to crime. Predictive policing allows police forces to be more proactive and less reactive (Pearsall, 2010).

Police departments use a system called Compstat to assist in predictive policing. Compstat is not just software installed on a computer but an entire system of data input, analysis, prediction and then feedback.

Compstat can be considered a tactical regulator system, it is used to analyze crime and predict where crime might happen next. It collects data, analyzes the data, and then maps out where the crime is predicted to happen next. It enhances police performance, and hold police forces...