Evidence Based Policing

Evidence-Based Policing (EBP) is an approach that strives to ground police practices and decisions in empirical research about “what works” to control crime and disorder. Stated another way, EBP is “the use of the best available science” to drive organizational strategies aimed at making communities safer. In this section, among other things, we explore the science, strategies for operationalizing research findings and cultural obstacles to implementing it as an organizational change tool.

EBP promotes the use of data-driven strategies such as crime mapping, hotspot policing, focused deterrence and community engagement as ways of increasing public safety while strengthening relationships between communities and police officers. EBP also endorses technology use alongside ongoing training for officers as a way of implementing and maintaining effective practices.

Successful implementation of EBP typically depends on factors like strong leadership, accessible quality data, strong community partnerships and sufficient funding. Adopting this practice may present several obstacles; these may include institutional resistance to change, insufficient resources or poor data quality as well as political interference or the inherent complexity of crime itself. When implemented successfully however, EBP can significantly improve both law enforcement agencies' effectiveness as well as those they serve and their communities they protect.