The Current and Potential Role of Crime Analysts in Evaluations of Police Interventions: Results From a Survey of the International Association of Crime Analysts

• Author: Shun Q. Feng,Eric L. Piza
• Published date: 01 December 2017
• Date: 01 December 2017
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/1098611117697056
• Subject Matter: Articles

Article

The Current and

Potential Role of Crime

Analysts in Evaluations

of Police Interventions:

Results From a Survey

of the International

Association of

Crime Analysts

Eric L. Piza

1

and Shun Q. Feng

1

Abstract

Crime analysts play a pivotal role in evidence-based policing by readily diagnosing the

nature of crime and disorder problems. Such analysis products are key in the design

of evidence-based strategies. The role of analysts in the subsequent process of

evidence-based policing, the evaluation of programs to determine what works,is

less known. The current study seeks to fill this gap in the literature through a

survey of the International Association of Crime Analyst Membership. Findings sug-

gest that program evaluation lies on the periphery of the crime analysis profession.

Across all measures incorporated in this study, program evaluation was emphasized

less than all other crime analysis functions. Findings of logistic regression models

further suggest that, for the most part, no specific factors are associated with

increased levels of program evaluation experience. We conclude with a discussion

of how crime analysts can become more involved in evaluations of police programs

and strategies.

Keywords

program evaluation, crime analysis, evidence-based policing, survey research

1

John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, NY, USA

Corresponding Author:

Eric L. Piza, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 524 West 59th Street, Haaren Hall Room 636.15,

New York City, NY 10019, USA.

Email: epiza@jjay.cuny.edu

Police Quarterly

2017, Vol. 20(4) 339–366

!The Author(s) 2017

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DOI: 10.1177/1098611117697056

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Introduction

The emergence of crime analysis can be considered a driving force in the modern

evolution of policing (Santos, 2014). Despite their direct involvement in the

design and implementation of contemporary policing strategies, crime analysts

have not been readily incorporated in the evidence-based policing movement.

Program evaluation, the primary vehicle for evidence generation, has been left to

academic scholars, with researcher–practitioner partnerships commonly focus-

ing on the evaluation of police practices. Consequently, crime analysis units

typically do not engage in high-level scientific endeavors that can directly

speak to the effectiveness of police practices (Weisburd & Neyroud, 2011).

Given that effective crime analysis is expected to lead to crime reduction

(Santos, 2014), crime analysts arguably should play a central role in determining

whether a significant crime reduction has occurred.

The current study explores the role of crime analysts in program evaluation

via a survey of members of the International Association of Crime Analysts

(IACA), the preeminent professional organization of the crime analysis commu-

nity. The analysis empirically measures analyst training, task frequency, confi-

dence, and opinions related to program evaluation, as compared with

predominate crime analysis functions (e.g., intelligence analysis, criminal inves-

tigative analysis, tactical analysis, strategic analysis, and administrative

analysis). Analyst responses were compared across these job functions via one-

way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal–Wallis tests. The analysis ends

with a series of logistic regression models meant to identify analyst and agency

factors significantly related to levels of program evaluation activity. In consid-

eration of the study findings, we conclude with an argument that crime analysts

should occupy a more central role in program evaluation, outlining several

recommendations that may assist in achieving this goal.

Review of Relevant Literature

Evidence-Based Policing

Over recent decades, policing has seen increased calls for the use of scientific

evidence in the formation of public policy. Evidence-based policing advocates

for the use of scientific evidence in the adoption of police strategies, with police

practices based on what works as identified by rigorous program evaluation

(Sherman & Eck, 2002; Sherman et al., 1997). This movement has been wel-

comed by both criminologists and practitioners and has increased the use of

science to inform policy and practice (Lum, Koper, & Telep, 2011; Sherman

& Eck, 2002; Welsh, 2006).

The evidence base for what works has predominately been generated by aca-

demics outside of police agencies. For example, the evidence-based policing

matrix (Lum et al., 2011), created for the purpose of developing principles on

340 Police Quarterly 20(4)