Brian Mc Grew
VP of Education
Hot Spot Policing is a proven, highly effective technique for agencies focused on a Place-based crime reduction strategy. The research from Dr. Chris Koper shows Hot Spots policing can positively deter and therefore reduce crime (if executed correctly) as well as enhance community trust and legitimacy.
The Police Foundation encourages police leaders to consider using the “Koper Curve” research and results to maximize their agency’s hot-spot policing strategy. Click here to see the 5 Things You Need to Know About Hot Spots Policing & The “Koper Curve” Theory.
However, to execute correctly and make the most out of Hot Spot policing, I’d like to expand on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th things you need to know about the “Koper Curve” Theory. Officers must document their activity and crime analysts and supervisors must analyze what’s been documented.
This kind of accountability provides data that ensures the proper number of minutes of patrol (10-16) are executed randomly instead of at the same times. It also shows whether officers are “running the right play” or conducting the right activities in the Hot Spot based on the type of crime they are hoping to deter. And finally, this kind of accountability provides analysts and supervisors the ability to report on the effectiveness of these patrol ops and decide on whether resources are still needed in this area or should be moved to another Hot Spot.
But many agencies fall short on documenting, organizing, and reporting on their Hot Spots because they do not use an agency management system designed specifically for pro-active policing. Instead, they rely on email or other less effective methods and fall short on their potential for preventing and reducing crime.
The Hot Spot Solution
Enter SmartForce™, the first and most widely used software solution designed specifically for Hot Spot Policing and all other proactive policing strategies. SmartForce™ provides a mobile and officer-friendly interface for patrol to document their Hot Spot activity and for crime analysts, detectives, and supervisors to receive real-time updates and reports in one singular environment.
Agencies who have converted to SmartForce™ have seen dramatic improvements in the execution of their Hot Spot and other crime reduction strategies as well as increased job satisfaction from catching more criminals and clearing cases faster.
The Grand Junction Police Department in Colorado is one such agency. GJPD officers, detectives, crime analysts, and supervisors have worked collaboratively on Hot Spots in their jurisdiction using SmartForce™. On one such Hot Spot Op, self-initiated officer activity increased by a massive 75% and calls for service in this over-indexed area plummeted. To see and read more about their success, click here.
Leading your agency to reach its crime reduction potential through Hot Spot policing is more possible today than ever with the advent of proven cost-effective tools like SmartForce™. Best wishes adding accountability and real-time communication to the “Koper Curve” theory and watch your Hot Spot policing efforts deter and reduce more crime this year!
