Police Administration CompStat Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Police Administration CompStat Model - Essay Example However, critics of the model argues that it is based purely on pursuit of disorder, and as such, it enforces a zero tolerance policy. Others argue that it is aggressive policing thus returning the public to the days of police mishandling of force through violation of individual human rights. The aim of this paper is to evaluate whether CompStat model may or may not be the best alternative. The paper critiques the five basic principles of CompStat model, before discussing the long-term and short-term effectiveness measures. The paper also provides an implementation plan of the system. Discussion Strengths Firstly, since agendas are single focused, reporting meetings form a key program initiative under CompStat, and delays or any excuses are not tolerated. Hence no commander is allowed to leave the meeting without providing solutions to the task required (Willis, Mastrofskib, & Weisburd, 2004). In such meetings, every unit is represented and the commanding officers are not just able t o share information, but also responsibilities. Therefore, time, distance or diverse objectives which are common inhibitors under conventional models are eliminated under CompStat. In the end many resources from the departments can be applied during a response issue during such meetings, and the major aspect of CompStat effectiveness in tactics is based on its specified assignment of resources to a particular issue (McDonald, 2001). The major component of CompStat is relentless follow-up with assessment, and the strategies and tactic are assessed regarding every decision undertaken. However, techniques of assessment shift based on particular issue or tactic applied in assessing issues, such as shifting crime patterns, citizen complaints, or shifts in arrests result in prosecution (McDonald, 2001). Technology use is significant under CompStat and it is implemented effectively when it comes to electronic pin mapping, thus enabling visual portrayal of not just the crime hotspots but al so the crime patterns (Henry, 2008). For instance, computer pin mapping crime assessment system, adds to the departments radars system operations in attaining an early recognition of crime patterns. Thus, the system gathers response times while reporting activities. This technology use enables any police department to derive its crime data from various sources, hence guaranteeing precise identification of crime hotspots or crime patterns. Thirdly, data gathering and analysis forms a major aspect of CompStat program design and selection of effective tactics. Since timely data is essential, it is updated weekly and data analysis goes further than simple tallying of crime totals, to other trend indicators like assessment of geographic regions (McDonald, 2001). Hence, data analysis places emphasis on shifts in crime numbers, the demographic patterns, nature of arrests made, available resources, as well as behavior patterns of the criminals. Furthermore, the quality data collection and a nalysis does not cost millions of dollars or application of complicated software packages, but accurate automated systems which only require commitment and precision. Compstat