Focal Concerns and Police Decision Making in Case Selection and Priority in Cybercrime Cases

• In Event: Examining Police Officer Decision-Making

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of specialized cybercrime units and personnel in law enforcement across the United States that reflects the growing prioritization of cybercrime offenses. A burgeoning literature has emerged which examines cybercrime units and investigators. Yet, little attention has been given to the situational factors investigators use to select and prioritize cases. In this study, we applied focal concerns theory to understand discretionary practices in case selection and case priority. This study addresses this gap through an analysis of qualitative interviews with 47 cybercrime investigative personnel including sworn detectives, civilian analysts, and unit administrators. The results of this find that similar to other investigations, cybercrime investigators use notions of blameworthiness, protecting the community, and practical considerations to guide their case selection and prioritization. However, the nature of cybercrime offenses presents unique dimensions to focal concerns and their case selections. The implications of these results are considered followed by directions for future research.

Authors

• Brian Schaefer, University of Louisville

• Kevin Steinmetz, Kansas State University

• Don Kurtz, Kansas State University

• Christopher Brewer, Illinois State University