Police production and crime in the urban space: a systematic review of indicators, metrics and methods
Policing: An International Journal
ISSN: 1363-951X
Article publication date: 20 September 2024
Issue publication date: 6 November 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Empirical literature is the primary source of understanding how policing can effectively reduce criminal activities. Spatial analyses can identify particular effects that can explain and assist in constructing appropriate regional strategies and policies; nevertheless, studies that use spatial regression methods are more limited and can provide a perspective on specific effects in a more disaggregated regional context.
Design/methodology/approach
This research aims to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) to understand the relationship between crime indicators and police production using spatial regression models. We consider a combination of Kitchenham and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocols as a methodological strategy in five bibliographic databases for collecting scientific articles.
Findings
The SLR suggests a limited amount of evidence that meets the criteria defined in the research strategy. Several particularities are observed regarding police and criminal production metrics, either in terms of aggregation level, indicator transformations or scope of analysis. A broader time perspective did not necessarily indicate statistical significance compared to models with a single-period sample.
Practical implications
The findings suggest the possibility of expanding efforts by the public sector to provide policing data with the intention of conducting appropriate research using spatial analysis. This step could allow for a more robust integration between the public sector and researchers, strengthening policing strategies, evaluating the effectiveness of public security policies and assisting in the development of strategies for future policy actions.
Originality/value
Limited empirical evidence meets the criteria of spatial regression models with temporal components considering police production and criminality indicators. Constructing an SLR with this scope is an unprecedented contribution to the literature. The discussion can enhance the understanding of approaches for studying the relationship between police efforts and crime prevention.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Postgraduate Development Program (PDPG) Strategic Postdoctoral of the Brazilian government, with funding from the research funding agency CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel Foundation).
The research is made possible through the Technical Cooperation Agreement (TCA) No. 001/2020, signed on September 10, 2020 (SEI No. 3000008449.000030/2020–45) between the Government of the State of Pernambuco and the Federal University of Pernambuco. The findings and conclusions of this report are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Government of the State of Pernambuco.
Citation
Taques, F.H. and Nepomuceno, T.C.C. (2024), "Police production and crime in the urban space: a systematic review of indicators, metrics and methods", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 47 No. 6, pp. 1160-1178. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-10-2023-0140
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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