NCJ Number
251996
Journal
Justice, Research and Policy Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: 2012 Pages: 61-95
Date Published
2012
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This study reviewed research from policing and other disciplines regarding what contributes to research being better received and used by practitioners, and then it reports on the authors' own receptivity survey, offering preliminary findings about the receptivity of officers to research, researchers, and tactics influenced by research.
Abstract
Evidence-based policingusing research and scientific processes to inform police decisionsis a complex approach to policing that involves various challenges. One primary difficulty is how research can be translated into understandable and familiar forms for practitioners. A central part of successful translation is the receptivity of decisionmakers to research, as well as how research is presented and packaged to increase receptivity. After reviewing research on this issue and reporting on the authors' own research, this article concludes with examples of the types of efforts by practitioners and researchers that might improve receptivity to research. Specifically, the article discusses the Evidence-Based Policing Matrix as a research translation tool, as well as multiple demonstrations conducted by the authors that focus on institutionalizing the use of research into daily police activities. (Publisher abstract modified)