Transferability of Evaluation and the "What Works" Approach in France

• NCJ Number: 214376
• Journal: European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 11 Issue: 3-4 Dated: 2005 Pages: 297-320
• Author(s): Sebastian Roche
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 24 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands
• Note: Special issue on International Transferability of the Practice of Evidence-Based Crime Policies, for additional articles see NCJ-214373-375 and NCJ-214377-378.

Annotation

With a shift in France towards integrating what is known as “evaluation” in the implementation of public policies, this paper explains the French interpretation of evaluation through a case study of community policing evaluations (1997-2002), a thoroughly evaluated public safety policy.

Abstract

In summarizing a French case study of community policing evaluations (1997-2002), the most important police reform in France and the most thoroughly evaluated public safety policy, it can be stated that there is a shift towards “evaluation” in the implementation of public policies, including crime policies. The shift towards evaluation or sometimes impact assessment is often presented as desirable in order to render the state more efficient and more accountable to the citizens. However, it is limited to the use of the notion in a vague sense. The trend is tentative and fragile. Even though impact assessment is mentioned occasionally as a key in implementing public policies, including crime policies, it is not actually put into practice. This paper presents the French resistance to impact analysis and tries to locate the thrust towards evaluation. It analyzes the reasons why various professions tend to deny any interest in this approach. References