Testing the Effects of a Problem-Solving Policing Strategy on Crime Outcomes: The Promise of an Integrated Approach

• Published in: Police quarterly Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 54 - 84
• Main Authors: Bond-Fortier, Brenda J., Nader, Elias S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.03.2023; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Law enforcement; crime analysis; Compstat; case of place; police; problem-solving
• ISSN: 1098-6111; 1552-745X
• DOI: 10.1177/10986111211060025

Police problem-solving is one of the most recognized innovations of recent decades, and evidence provides practitioners with hope in their challenges to affect crime. Yet, practitioners need more than hope as they struggle to implement and institutionalize this innovation. This paper shares the results of an integrated problem-solving intervention situated within a comprehensive approach. A Case of Place intervention served as an instrument of problem-solving, which became institutionalized through analytical and Compstat changes. The intervention guided police and crime analysts through problem-solving processes, ensuring attention to each problem-solving step. Using interrupted time-series, post-intervention results revealed a significant reduction in aggravated assaults, motor vehicle breaks, and robberies, as compared to pre-intervention patterns. Additionally, organizational shifts moved the department towards the goal of holistic problem-solving. This study reveals positive results from the Case of Place problem-solving instrument and may offer a path to address the analytical and institutionalization shortcomings of problem-solving.