NCJ Number
253685
Journal
Policing-an International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Dated: 2019 Pages: 2-15
Date Published
2019
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study examined the extent to which intelligence officers integrated at the patrol level contribute to successful case outcomes through information sharing.
Abstract
The study used multinomial logistic regression to analyze the outcomes of 3 years of Intelligence Officer Reports (IORs) submitted by officers trained in the Phoenix Police Department's Intelligence Officer Program. Findings indicate the majority of IORs were either tangible case successes or intelligence successes that had the capacity to become these, compared to non-successes. The type of success was impacted by several predictors. These included case categorization, nature of crime, information-gathering methods, and perceived validity of information. Perceived reliability of information was the only non-significant predictor. The study suggests the benefits of looking at multiple predictors of success in understanding the value of information gathered by intelligence officers in the field. Study limitations included some missing data and potential lack of generalizability to other agencies. Future research will also consider alternative ways of measuring success and the nesting of reports within officers. This is the first study to consider how intelligence-led policing at the patrol level may influence case outcomes, and, in turn, what factors may contribute to this. Findings provide some initial considerations for optimizing desirable case outcomes. (publisher abstract modified)