NCJ Number
197784
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 71 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2002 Pages: 6-8
Date Published
November 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Communicating information from one police unit to another before it becomes outdated is a continuing challenge; to help address this problem, the Plantation Police Department (Florida) implemented the Systematic Tracking Operation Program Community Reporting Incidents More Effectively (STOP CRIME).
Abstract
STOP CRIME was derived from the New York City Police Department's CompStat (Computerized Analysis of Crime Statistics) initiative. A crime-mapping software application is the heart of CompStat. The software application identifies areas where criminal activity has occurred, which in turn helps the police develop enforcement strategies. The information generated is shared and analyzed in scheduled meetings of precinct commanders with a review panel. The review panel queries commanders about criminal activity in their precinct. Following this model, on October 1, 2000, the Plantation Police Department implemented a monthly accountability process. Once a month, district commanders meet individually with the STOP CRIME board, which consists of the chief of police and the two deputy chiefs. The crime analyst also attends these meetings to assist the district commanders with statistical data and any information needed during the presentation. This procedure has enhanced the exchange of information on criminal activity in the department's jurisdiction. Commanding officers present both written and oral communications, with a question-and-answer segment designed around a positive brain-storming format. The STOP CRIME program has facilitated an increased commitment to community policing; the development of two neighborhood enhancement projects; strengthened vertical communication; the establishment of a comprehensive reporting system; accountability at all levels of the organization; the nurturing of problem-solving skills throughout the agency; and the ownership of problems and the empowerment of personnel.