Integrating Hot Spots Policing into Problem Orientated Policing, designing experiments and evaluating performance
Monday 11th to Wednesday 13th December 2023
Challenge: Hot Spot Policing has repeatedly been proven to work but it is not simple to prove the cause and effect. It is also not simple to seamlessly integrate the immediate response with a long term problem orientated policing solution.
This course trains delegates in how to design and evaluate a hot spot policing program and link it to a long term Problem Orientated Policing solution.
Who should attend: Analysts and police leaders charged with designing delivering and evaluating Force responses to serious violence hot spots.
Objectives: To learn how to design and evaluate a hot spot policing program. To learn how to test and evidence if a hot spot policing program works. To learn how to link and integrate, from the start, the problem orientated policing approach incorporating ‘Clear, Hold, Build Methodology’ that will follow the hot spots policing plan.
Course Structure: The three-day course begins with sharing of what has been learned to date in relation to the designing of policing experiments. This includes but is not limited to randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We explain and set out the evidence of why experimentation is necessary and the examples of unexpected outcomes that illustrate this.
The techniques to evaluate the robustness of findings from any policing experiment (The Maryland Scale) is explained. This is done using with real world examples.
Delegates are taken through the process of deciding what to target, how to test and what to track in experimental design. The design basics for a RCT are set out. The typical design challenges that are faced such as statistical power, internal validity and washout periods are explained along with tactics to anticipate and work around these challenges.
The journey through implementation of an RCT is set out. The troubleshooting process to address the most common implementation problems of tracking, compliance and data quality is also explored in detail.
It is not always possible or appropriate to conduct a RCT. The course therefore covers alternative quasi experimental designs. These are illustrated along with the pros and cons of these approaches.
Multiple Analytical techniques are presented for analysing outcomes of RCTs and quazi experiments.
At the start of the course delegates are given a policing plan proposal to consider. They are asked to consider in a group. At the end of day two there is time set aside for group work where in the light of the presentation the groups can start to develop their suggested approaches.
Day three commences with a brief refresher of Problem Orientated Policing (POP) methodology and how the SARA model (Scanning, Analysis, Response and Assessment) works. The course shows how the POP methodology can be integrated from the beginning of a hot spots policing program and how this fits into the ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ framwework.
This appraoch ensures the problem-solving approach is provided with the necessary evidence in an appropriate timeframe to lever the changes necessary. This is followed by detailed case studies where a POP approach has followed on from a hot spot policing approach in a joined-up way and examples of how partnership assets have been accessed for mutual benefit.
Day three concludes with the syndicate presentations of their approaches and a Q&A session to refine and improve plans presented which can be taken back to Force.
Faculty: The Cambridge Centre for Evidence-Based Policing team teaching this three-day, very focused course includes the following instructors:
Dr. Heather Strang PhD. Director of the Jerry Lee Centre of Experimental Criminology, University of Cambridge, Institute of Criminology.
Dr. Eleanor Neyroud PhD, University of Cambridge
Dr. Sara Valdebenito, PhD, University of Cambridge
Detective Chief Superintendent (Retired) Simon Rose MBA, MSt, PhD candidate University of Cambridge.
Cost: This three-day course, per person, offers two pricing options:
Residential (inclusive of 2 nights bed & breakfast) = £1,220.00 + VAT.
Non-Residential = £1,000 + VAT.