NCJ Number
69904
Date Published
1978
Length
70 pages
Annotation
This report provides an overall evaluation of the crime analysis capability of the Norfolk Police Department, Norfolk, Va., and identifies specific areas where crime analysis operations could be improved.
Abstract
The consultants focused on two related areas of interest: information support for the continued implementation of the Integrated Criminal Apprehension Program (ICAP), and (2) provision of information on criminal activity for input into the operational planing process. The report's findings were based upon a review of crime analysis operations at department headquarters and at each one of the two precincts and on discussions with department personnel. The report found that although the recent decentralization of crime analysis operations had greatly helped the department to enhance patrol deployment and tactical decisionmaking, the decentralization had also limited the department's ability to provide crime analysis information support. The report recommended that a central crime analysis unit, headed by a police sergeant familiar with crime analysis operations, should be developed; that the precinct crime analysts should remain under the direct command of the precinct captains; and that precinct crime analysis operations should be devoted primarily to the support of precinct patrol and special unit activities. Moreover, the report suggests that following the testing of sector command and directed patrol concepts, the development of department-wide strategic patrol policies should be coordinated by the deputy chief of operations, through an operations analysis unit. Six appendixes contain materials on the role of the sector commander, report forms, a concentrated patrol bulletin, second patrol crime analysis, and sector system feedback.