An Evaluation of the Hartford (CT) Police Department's Shooting Response Team

• In Event: Evaluations of Law Enforcement Strategies and Interventions

Abstract

Prior research suggests that gun homicides are cleared at higher rates than nonfatal shootings because homicide cases benefit from enhanced resources and investigative attention. Homicide units are often staffed by specialized investigators, maintain reduced detective caseloads, and emphasize sustained investigative effort. Together, these factors help improve case clearance, and applying these enhancements to nonfatal shootings as well could generate significant improvements in solve rates. With support from the BJA SPI grant program, the Hartford Police Department developed a dedicated Shooting Response Team (SRT) in 2021 that has remained active through the present day. The SRT is a specialized unit committed solely to response and investigations of nonfatal shooting cases, and the unit has adopted those critical features that are common to homicide divisions. This study highlights results of the SRT impact evaluation and discuss the organizational and operational successes and challenges of the unit through 2024.

Author

• Lisa Barao, University of Pennsylvania