Measuring Policy Proactivity

• In Event: Policy Panel: Proactive Policing

Abstract

One of the most significant reforms in modern policing has been the push for law enforcement to be more proactive in reducing crime or building trust and confidence with their communities. While there have been controversies surrounding certain types of proactivity such as stop, question, and frisk and zero tolerance policing, research continues to find that other proactive approaches can be effective in not only preventing crime and disorder, but also improving citizen satisfaction with the police. Nonetheless, little is actually known about the realities of proactive policing in the United States. Here, we present preliminary findings from our proactivity lab about the nature and measurement of police proactivity, focusing on implications for police practice.

Authors

• Cynthia Lum, George Mason University

• Christopher Koper, George Mason University