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Law Enforcement Intelligence: A New Look

NCJ Number
109450
Journal
International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1986) Pages: 22-37
Author(s)
M P Sommers
Date Published
1986
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The three forms of law enforcement intelligence analysis are presented with the suggestion that only one, strategic analysis, leads to intelligence.
Abstract
Law enforcement intelligence is a product resulting from analyzing past and present activity to predict future activity. The three types of analysis are (1) crime, which uses data from the past analyzed in response to a series of crimes committed in a particular area; (2) investigative, which uses current data collected in urgent response to a case under investigation; and (3) strategic, which uses both past and current data to predict the future. The benefits of using strategic intelligence outweigh the use of the others because it enables police to be proactive rather than reactive and it reinforces crime prevention more than apprehension. Also, its success is reflected in reduced crime rates, less 'organized' monopolistic crime, and improved enforcement effectiveness. 1 table, 2 figures, and 9-item bibliography.