Striving for Excellence: Police Research and Planning Units as facilitators of change

• In Event: Building Analytic Capacities in Law Enforcement

Abstract

Survey data from law enforcement agencies reveal that 43% of municipal police and sheriffs organizations with over 100 sworn officers have a formal Research and Planning Unit, while an additional 24% have personnel dedicated to research and planning-type functions (2007 LEMAS). Research shows that these types of units engage in a variety of activities in support of organizational effectiveness. These activities include grant writing, program development, evaluation and researching best practices, to name a few. However, there is limited evidence on the extent to which the work of personnel in these types of units facilitate innovation and change. This presentation will discuss the use of Research and Planning units as mechanism for building police analytic activities. Using 20 years of successful grant program proposals as a rich data source, this presentation will highlight how one agency’s Research and Planning Office utilized the grant seeking process to build their capacity in crime analysis, research and evaluation, policy development, strategic planning, resource allocation, and project management. The presentation will also speak to the value of placing the grant seeking activities within a Research and Planning Unit as part of a systematic tool for change.

Author

• Brenda J. Bond, Suffolk University