Applying Cost-Benefit Analysis to Policing Evaluations

• DOI: 10.3818/JRP.8.1.2006.51
• Author: Jake Horowitz,Edwin Zedlewski
• Date: 01 June 2006
• Published date: 01 June 2006
• Subject Matter: Article

Cost-BeneFIt Analysis in Policing • 51

* Applying Cost-BeneFIt Analysis to Policing  

 Evaluations

Jake Horowitz

Edwin Zedlewski

National Institute of Justice

* Abstract

Criminal justice policymakers and practitioners are better served by evaluations

that identify both an intervention’s benets and resource requirements. Review-

ing a sample of policing evaluations, we found few reports that contain the in-

formation necessary for either a cost-effectiveness or cost-benet analysis. After

describing the study methods and ndings, we make recommendations for future

evaluations and propose a research agenda for criminal justice input and outcome

measurement and monetization.

Findings and conclusions of the research reported here are those of the authors and do

not necessarily reect the ofcial position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

JUSTICE RESEARCH AND POLICY, Vol. 8, No. 1