Improving the Tracking of Police Officer Activity Through Novel Technology Applications (Sponsored by Division of Policing)

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

Objectives: While evidence-based policing has increased in popularity over recent decades, it predominately involves the measurement of how interventions impact crime-related outcomes. The tracking of police officer activity—a key consideration in evidence-based programs and practices—greatly lags behind.

Data/methods: Four papers report on studies that apply technological solutions to directly measure police officer activity in the field. These efforts improve upon traditional methods used to measure police performance.

Results: The first study uses automated vehicle locator (AVL) data to measure how police response to gunfire events and on-scene search behavior differ across gunshot detection alerts and 911 calls for service. The second study draws upon electronic police records to assess when and potentially why officers designate incidents as low risk. The third study analyzes the impact of an automated auditing system on police professionalism using body-worn camera (BWC) footage. The fourth study uses AVL data to calculate how the ratio of committed-to-uncommitted patrol time differs across space.

Conclusions/implications: The further development of evidence-based policing may rely on police agencies and their research partners better measuring officer activities. The papers included in this panel demonstrate how technology can be more readily applied in pursuit of this goal.

Sub Unit

• Area VI. The Criminal Justice System / 41. Police Strategies, Interventions, and Evaluations

Individual Presentations

• Does Gunshot Detection Technology Influence Police Officer Response and Search Behaviors on Shooting Scenes? An Application of Automated Vehicle Locator Technology - Eric Piza, Northeastern University; George Mohler, Boston College; Jeremy Carter, Indiana University Indianapolis; Christianna Palermo, Northeastern University

• Assessing Officers’ Perceptions of Risk via Electronic Police Records - Rylan Simpson, Simon Fraser University

• Can AI Review of Body-Worn Camera Footage Improve Police Professionalism? - Ian T. Adams, University of South Carolina; Kyle McLean, Clemson University; Geoffrey Alpert, University of South Carolina

• Using Automated Vehicle Locator Data to Classify Committed and Uncommitted Patrol Assignments across Space and Time - Nathan Connealy, University of Tampa; Eric Piza, Northeastern University; Victoria A. Sytsma, Queen's University; Savannah Reid, Northeastern University; Christianna Palermo, Northeastern University

Organized by a Division or external group?

Division of Policing