|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACCREDITATION WORKS Case Number 50
In Palatine, the crime analysis function is staffed by a full-time civilian analyst and is placed within the Planning and Research Section of the Support Services Division. There are several valuable resources, which the crime analyst draws upon to create her analytical reports, including information shared with surrounding agencies. Factors evaluated as a part of analysis are comprehensive and result in a product that is user friendly. As opposed to simply listing incidents of crime, the crime analyst’s reports are thoughtfully constructed to provide officers and investigators useful information that will help accomplish the department’s mission.
Information contained in these reports is used in the development of neighborhood policing strategies and bolsters the effectiveness of community policing efforts. The analytical reports support not only the investigation and management of criminal offenses, but also a wide range of traffic safety and motor vehicle violations. Beat sergeants utilize data, examining crash patterns at high incident intersections, to create strategies to minimize accident rates at these locations. Healthy competition amongst the respective beats to lower traffic crash rates results in not only recognition of the “winners”, but also a safer motoring public.
Another example of how the crime analysis function effectively supports and aids in the department’s mission was in the capture of a serial armed robbery suspect in 2004. Palatine, along with dozens of neighboring communities, was falling victim to an increase in violent armed robberies. The Palatine Police Crime Analyst conducted an extensive review of the data associated with a string of liquor store robberies in Palatine and the surrounding jurisdictions. After the analysis, a synopsis of the events along with likely patterns and projections for future robberies was developed and shared with all affected personnel. Factors such as dates between hits, geographical patterns, method of operation, and a host of other factors were incorporated into this report. Based on a thorough analysis, the agency was able to deploy officers on stakeouts at strategic locations and times, and soon thereafter, captured the suspects during the commission of yet another armed robbery. Due to the detailed crime analysis work on this series of crimes, the department was able to determine where and when to focus its limited resources. The end result was the successful arrests of two suspects responsible for over 51 armed robberies in the Chicago-land area.
Studies over the years have yet to prove the effectiveness of “random patrol” in relation to crime prevention or the reduction of traffic crashes. Therefore, responsible agencies must develop plans to deploy their limited resources in the most efficient manner to achieve their goals. Without an in-depth analysis of such factors as crime patterns and traffic crash trends, a department can only guess at the best approach, and as a result will likely miss the mark.
The standards in Chapter 15 require “C” and “D” size agencies to develop crime analysis procedures to support both management and operations for use in strategic and tactical planning as it relates to such topics as crime trends, agency resource allocation and other associated areas. As a “C” size agency (75-299 personnel), the Palatine Police Department has clearly experienced the benefits from complying with this chapter, ultimately resulting in a safer community. Accreditation continues to work for the Palatine Police Department through standards aimed at effectively utilizing the Crime Analysis Unit.
Mike Seebacher, CommanderPalatine (IL) Police Department
|
|
|
The
community of Palatine, Illinois (pop. 70,000) is safer because its police
department is CALEA Accredited. Specifically, by complying with the standards
set forth in Chapter 15, Crime Analysis, of the Standards for Law Enforcement
Agencies, the Palatine Police Department has been able to develop tactical
plans and allocate manpower to most efficiently achieve department objectives,
ranging from capturing violent criminals to reducing traffic accidents. During
these times of strapped municipal budgets, efficiency in police operations is
paramount. The key to Palatine’s success in this area rests not only in the
performance of its crime analysis function, but also in how this information is
put to use.