Operational Strategies
Since criminals evolve and use new means to achieve their goals, law enforcement authorities are improving their strategies as well. Innovations, employed by the police, include problem-oriented policing, a “broken windows” approach, computer statistics, and intelligence-led policing. Not all of them, however, are suitable for the modern environment.
Different operational strategies suggest distinct ways of improving policing. Problem-oriented policing aims at involving communities in the prevention of crimes (Fritsch, Liederbach, & Taylor, 2009). Law enforcement
officers are required to monitor gaps in citizens’ safety and provide recommendations, which is as helpful today as it was decades ago. The “broken windows” approach lays emphasis on using serious measures even when
petty offenses are committed. In this strategy, community engagement does not play a significant role, and that is why it should not be used.
Computer statistics relies on computerized systems rather than particular officers or community members. By contrast, intelligence-led policing means that both policing processes and law enforcement officers should be in line with current developments. Hence, these approaches envisage different methods of how to combat crime effectively.
To use fewer funds, police departments can reduce costs spent of the “broken windows” approach and computer statistics. Not only can the former be ineffective in combating crimes but also encourage unlawful conduct
among law enforcement officers (Cronkhite, 2013). By treating, for instance, juvenile culprits who committed petty thefts as harsh as adults who are guilty of murders, police can violate their rights. Computer statistics, in turn, only achieves its goals if enough attention is devoted to it and will not lead to the desired results in case the police are already overloaded. Hence, in my department, funds for the “broken windows” and computer statistics approaches would be reduced by 20%. Overall, some operational strategies are not appropriate for today’s
environment. While problem-oriented policing is still necessary, the “broken windows” approach and computer statistics may be avoided. The latter two tactics would receive less funding in my department.
References
Cronkhite, C. L. (2013). Law enforcement and justice administration: Strategies for the 21st century. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Fritsch, E. J., Liederbach, J., & Taylor, R. W. (2009). Police patrol allocation and deployment. Upper Saddle River, NJ: …
