Setting a higher standard for the evaluation of problem-oriented policing initiatives

Citation

Buckmeier, B. (2010), "Setting a higher standard for the evaluation of problem-oriented policing initiatives", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 33 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/pijpsm.2010.18133bae.006

Setting a higher standard for the evaluation of problem-oriented policing initiatives

Setting a higher standard for the evaluation of problem-oriented policing initiatives

Article Type: Perspectives on policing From: Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, Volume 33, Issue 2

A. Braga,Criminology and Public Policy,Vol. 9 No. 1,2010,pp. 173-182

Braga (2010) discusses the lack of quality evaluative research with strong research designs that exists in problem-oriented policing and questions whether problem-oriented policing can be actually be evaluated if more rigorous designs were in place. He attributes the bias against more rigorous designs when evaluating the effectiveness of POP as a leading cause for the weak scientific evidence base for the POP approach. Specifically, the author laments the lack of randomized controlled trials that are used in evaluating problem-oriented policing research.

The author discusses previous research which identifies the negatives of randomized controlled trials such as problem-oriented approaches being highly customized and do not lend themselves to this type of design and the call for before and after designs when evaluating problem-oriented policing as problematic. Braga (2010) argues that all research in this field will suffer from external validity issues and that more rigorous evaluation design can accommodate how problem-oriented policing is practiced in the field.

The argument is made that academics who want to research in this area need to create opportunities for more rigorous designs and focus on creating knowledge rather than focusing on the success/failure rate of the programs. A divide between police practitioners and academics is indicated as one of the hurdles that must be addressed for more rigorous evaluations with analysis post-implementation of the treatment. Opportunities are created by the increased desire by the police to allow for the assistance of academics. The author argues that academics will have to seize on opportunities to use more rigorous designs but also must be realistic and understand that in many instances the environment will not be conducive towards more rigorous designs. Academics must not be condescending towards the police and the police need recognize the value that academics provide and understand that some of the findings may be critical of past approaches by the police.

Bradley BuckmeierUniversity of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA