TO: Chief

FROM: Sgt. James Kidd

DATE: August 14, 2016
SUBJECT: Intelligence Led Police: Measuring Success

The Brownwood (Texas) Police Department must show efficiency in the ability to

collect, examine, and compare a significant amount of information in order to understand crime

issues that affect our community. The department must consistently evaluate and measure the

success of our intelligence-led policing capabilities and strategies. Currently the department

relies heavily on analyzing the monthly statistics submitted to the Uniform Crime Report (UCR).

The Brownwood Police Department also utilizes monthly intelligence meetings, and gathers

information from our patrol division, which is entered into the departments records management

system for analysis. Besides the current strategies The Brownwood Police Department must

explore other models of intelligence-led policing that may produce positive outcomes in an effort

to reduce crime which may include victimization and self-reporting surveys.

Intelligence-Led Policing is a proactive application of analysis, borrowing from the

established processes of the intelligence analytic function and using the best practices from

existing policing models. The Brownwood Police Department has used the UCR as the primary

source of information in an attempt to successfully analyze and utilize as intelligence in

reference to crime that is occurring in the community. I believe the UCR in of itself is being used

as more of a tool to measure our police department performance rather than successful

intelligence gathering and dissemination. Current data on policing are insufficient for either

measuring performance or doing good comparative research on police organizations because

they fail to capture the full range of work that police do. What has proven successful is that
when analyzing the departments monthly UCR reports analyst found that in March 2016 there

was an increase in sexual assault cases, the investigator audited the records management system

and upon reviewing cases submitted he noticed that two of the cases did not get assigned for

follow up investigation. The information in the UCR reporting system was successful in that

situation in locating the error. The Brownwood Police Department must understand the inherent

limitations of the UCR and utilize the UCR along with other more detailed methods of statistical

reporting initiatives including NIBRS and National Crime Statistics Exchange (NCS-X). The

advancement in data collection estimates regarding the nature of crime, criminality,

victimization, and operations, assist law enforcement in understanding and responding to the

crime in their communities.

The departments involvements in the monthly intelligence meetings with local agencies

have proven successful in identifying and providing information on crime trends. In last months

meeting a runaway juvenile case was discussed. During the conversation, other agency

investigators provided information that they had received a tip that there was unusual activity in

an apartment complex in Killeen, Tx. After receiving and analyzing the information, the

intelligence was utilized and recognized that the runaway was involved in a human trafficking

operation that was occurring in the apartment complex. Suspects were identified and arrested.

The gathering and dissemination of that vital information were crucial in the investigation of that

case. The model of monthly intelligence meetings determined to prove effective in the

investigation of several cases. Success is dependent upon the active collaboration and level of

cooperation among partner agencies.

Timely and accurate intelligence are essential for crime reduction. The Brownwood Police

Department must improve in the area of communicating information and intelligence between

the patrol officers and detectives. Currently this model is only partially effective as information

is not efficiently supplied from patrol officers to detectives and vice-versa. If detectives take

information, but never divulge; uniformed officers, in return, will stop supplying information.

Intelligence-Led Policing is an agency wide approach, with the implementation requiring the

understanding and adoption of the overall goal, crime prevention. Patrol officers are the eyes

and ears of the police effort, and must be trained to seek out and identify information. This can

be accomplished through interaction with businesses, field interview cards, and traffic contacts,

which in turn should be forwarded to detectives who can analyze the information and send

intelligence back to the patrol officers. This method of intelligence gathering and dissemination

is only partially effective due to the lack of active collaboration among patrol officers and

detectives. All officers must network and cooperate to be effective.

Proposed intelligence-led policing strategies involve victimization, self-report, and media

surveys that serve as an alternative to traditional data collection methods. These surveys are

currently under-utilized by the Brownwood Police Department. Measuring crime through these

methods promotes an understanding in future crime trends and may identify crimes before they

happen. These Child Advocacy Center self-report surveys may educate officers in understanding

the contributing factors causing the crime. Interpreting the criminal environment usually begins

with the collation of information sources. These surveys identify criminal events and possible

contributing factors that can be identified to prevent future crime. Similarly these types of

surveys are important in measuring rapes and other crimes, as the surveys allow the community

members a voice in the definition of and addressing crime problems. Engaging the community to
work with the law enforcement agency produces a greater sense of community trust in the

agencys operations and raises community awareness regarding how citizens can positively

contribute. Success will be measured by the positive community relations that these surveys

provide.

Adopting Intelligence-led policing philosophy and strategies, will improve the

effectiveness and efficiency of the Brownwood Police Department. The goal of intelligence-led

policing is to enhance proactive policing efforts and further the positive outcomes as the

officers collaborate and communicate information. The department must consistently evaluate

and measure the success of our intelligence-led policing capabilities and strategies. This effort

will show positive effects toward reducing crime and enhancing community trust.
References

Baker, T. E. (2009). Intelligence-led policing: Leadership, strategies, and tactics. Flushing, NY:
Looseleaf Law Publications.

Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). (2005). Intelligence-led policing: The new intelligence
architecture. Retrieved from: https://ole.sandiego.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-782922-dt-
content-rid-3028112_1/courses/LEPS-550-MASTER/Reducing_Crime.pdf

CALEA Update Magazine. (n.d.). Retrieved August 12, 2016, from http://www.calea.org/calea-
update-magazine/issue-83/measuring-performance-law-enforcement-agencies-part-1of-2-
oart-article

Department of Justice. (2009, April). Navigating Your Agency's Path to Intelligence-Led

Policing. Retrieved August 13, 2016.

Mosher, C. J., Miethe, T. D., & Phillips, D. M. (2002). The mismeasure of crime. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Police Chief Magazine - View Article. (n.d.). Retrieved August 12, 2016, from
http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=print_display

Ratcliffe, J. (2011). Intelligence-led policing. London: Routledge.