According to University of Maryland, CompStat was established in 1994 as a data management model in N.Y.P.D (New York Police Department). Over the years the model has been credited with increasing the quality of life and decreasing the crime rates in New York City and other cities. Its success has seen other states across the U.S to widely embrace it (Weisburd and Mastrofski, 2003). In this light, this paper seeks to discourse constructs of policing and their performance, in regard to traditional and contemporary strategic frameworks used by New York and Los Angeles Police Department.
CompStat is defined as a management process within a performance model that analyzes crime data in a timely manner in order to identify crime patterns and solve the problems (Weisburd and Mastrofski, 2003). Based on the framework, responses are implemented through rapid use of resources which in this case the deployment of law enforcers. In addition, the framework encompasses an accountability structure that ensures the crime data analysis is acted upon, and consequently, the responses correctly implemented. The assessment also identifies the effectiveness of the CompStat model in reducing the levels of crime in the city (Weisburd and Mastrofski, 2003).
The four strategies that guide the implementation of the framework include; timely and accurate intelligence, effective plan tactics of the law enforcers, rapid deployment, and a follow-up assessment. The N.Y.P.D and the Los Angeles Police Department (L.A.P.D) respectively hold bi-weekly CompStat conferences that aim at identifying an overview or structure within the command an in addition, formulate strategies for addressing the quality of life by reducing city crime rates.
Traditional methods of policing have become ineffective with limited discretions. They feature a centralized authority and inflexibility. This restricts police performances and departments from effectively addressing crime and community issues. The accountability of CompStat as a performance management model has led to implementation of relevant measures that motivate to change the approach towards policing (Geoghegan, 2015).
References
Geoghegan, S. (2015). Compstat Revolutionizes Contemporary Policing | Hendon Publishing. [online] Hendonpub.com. Available at: http://www.hendonpub.com/resources/article_archive/results/details?id=3759 [Accessed 25 Mar. 2015].
Weisburd, D. and Mastrofski, S. (2003). Reforming to preserve: Compstat and strategic problem solving in American policing. Criminology and Public Policy, (2), pp.421-456.
