The Globalization of Evidence-Based Policing: Innovations in Bridging the Research-Practice Divide

Evidence-based policing is based on the straightforward, but powerful, idea that crime prevention and crime control policy should be based on what works best in promoting public safety, as determined by the best available scientific evidence. Bringing together leading academics and practitioners, this book explores a wide range of case studies from around the world that best exemplify the integration of scientific evidence in contemporary policing processes.

Chapters explore the transfer of scientific knowledge to the practice community, the role of officers in conducting police-led science, connection of work between police researchers and practitioners, and how evidence-based policing can be incorporated in daily police functions. The Globalization of Evidence-Based Policing is written for both researchers and practitioners interested in ensuring that scientific research is at center stage in policing. Agencies (including law enforcement agencies, research centers, and institutions of higher learning) can look to these case studies as road maps to better foster an evidence-based approach to crime prevention and crime control. Those already committed to evidence-based policing can look to these chapters to ensure that evidence-based policing is firmly institutionalized within their agencies.

Accessible and compelling, this book is essential reading for all those interested in learning more about and doing more to bring about evidence-based policing.

Eric L. Piza is an Associate Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. Before entering academia, he served as the Geographic Information Systems Specialist of the Newark, NJ Police Department. His research focuses on the spatial analysis of crime patterns, evidence-based policing, crime control technology, and the integration of academic research and police practice.

Brandon C. Welsh is a Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University in Boston and the Director of the Cambridge-Somerville Youth Study. His research centers on the prevention of delinquency and crime and evidence-based social policy.