Is Comp stat an Effective Accountability Tool for Police Agencies?
Comp stat is a system that reflects on the comparison of computer statistics, and was introduced to enable the police provide accurate and timely information. It displays information gathered during the normal operations in the form of computerized crime data, crime mapping, and crime analysis. Comp stat plays a critical role in controlling both the minor and major crimes in the United States. This technology was first introduced in New York as a tool to empower the police officers to investigate any criminal activities and contain it before economic damage. Through this technology, the security department in New York was able to deploy the police officers in a rational manner that is well equipped with the requisite resources to contain the crime rates at manageable levels. All citizens should be able to enjoy equal justice treatment in the society and without fear of criminal attacks. Criminal attacks also slow down the economy of a country (Cole & Gertz, 2012).
The Comp stat technique has helped the policing department develop a timely response in high crime risk cities. It is designed to help the police management crime in large cities with a large population of people. This technology provides a platform for the police officers to investigate crimes effectively, and the efforts put in place by the police departments to combat crime. This indicates that Comp stat is a goal-oriented system, which is used in the department of police in USA as a tool of strategic management to ensure efficient dissemination of information in the police department (Cole & Gertz, 2012).
The implementation of this strategy in the USA policing department led to increased accountability in the sense that the human resource available was highly deployed. The police department is supported by an IT team, which provides guidance on areas that need their attention in an accurate and timely manner. Comp stat system collects information and sends it to the other departmental managers. The managers are responsible for any decision taken on behalf of their subunits. This technology also aids the in improving their techniques to solve problems within the units to ensure peaceful coexistence of people with one another (Cole & Gertz, 2012).
Reasons for the Rapid Spread of Comp Stat in USA
Cole & Gertz (2012) point out that the invention of Comp stat was a major development in combating crime levels in the United States. This technology is mainly used in dealing with crimes in a wide area. This helps control the misuse of resources by the policing department in the name of crime investigation and documentation. The adoption of this strategy means that every manager in the security department engages in teamwork and at the same time remaining accountable for all actions. The police department allocates both human and physical resources to help the police accomplish their duties efficiently.
This system provides the USA policing team with a unique leadership style, which represents traditions of the American police force at the same time taking into account the current management strategies of the modern world of today. The security department has opted to implement Comp stat technique in their security procedures in order to secure the public. The department also wants to run a system that promotes accountability and efficient utilization of available resources. The public expects every security body to conduct its activities efficiently and promote justice in the society (Cole & Gertz, 2012).
This strategy is highly valued in the USA because of its capabilities in combating crimes in large cities, such as New York. The security planners in allocating the necessary resource to their teams to ensure efficiency in their output use this prediction trend. A lot of statistical information and data is collected to identify the police demands as well as their levels of efficiency in their output, which will be used to give an accurate intelligence to combat crime in the country (Cole & Gertz, 2012).
Why is Comp Stat used in the Larger Departments rather than in the Smaller Departments?
According to Cole & Gertz (2012), this technology can help the police departments achieve efficiency in resource allocation and in providing a true picture of the security situation in geographically large and diverse precinct. This system is mainly designed to help police manage the security of large cities. Large cities have large police department because of the high security needed in large populations and geographical areas. Police departments have had problems managing large areas because increased complexity of security required. Smaller departments are found in smaller cities, which require less detailed records and representations. Big cities can be faced by an intensive security breach, which can lead to mega losses. Comp stat can be used to provide intelligent information to safeguard public resources from criminals. Comp stat system is dual in nature making it possible to analyze many people and large areas at the same time. The system can provide a full specification of the police resources required to achieve a complex security mission. It also creates a platform for evaluating the performance of police personnel, which is a requisite to the departmental human resource management (Cole & Gertz, 2012).
Misconduct in the Criminal Justice System
The system of criminal justice investigation has been hampered by official misconducts by the investigators, which includes lack of impartiality, breach of trust placed on an officer. Criminal justice officers mainly engage in corruption because of the position they hold. This has led to increased exchange of money for justice. The poor have to suffer for crimes they have not committed. Only the rich people can afford to receive favors from the criminal justice system. The officers disclose information to third parties, which should have been confidential to ensure a fair outcome of the investigation process. This leads to the premature dismissal of the cases and free release of criminals (Cole & Gertz, 2012).
Ways in which the Criminal Justice System has attempted to Reduce Official Misconduct
The vise of official misconduct has led to the dilution of the judicial fairness in the United States. Some district attorneys have been accused by the public of colluding with wealthy people to carry out illegal businesses. The criminal justice system has the potential of reducing misconduct of its officials. Integrity is the most important aspect of ensuring that criminal justice system officials take up the responsibility that is attached to their duties. It also requires the criminal justice officers to work as a team and create accountability in their roles (Cole & Gertz, 2012). The welfare of police officers has been improved to help the police maximize their potential in promoting public safety. The criminal justice system provides guidelines that the police should follow when working together with other bodies in the system, such as courts and prisons in promoting security and justice in the society.
What more can be done to Control Official misconduct
Relentless follow-up helps structure the criminal justice system in a way that provides information on the activities of each criminal justice officer. Cole & Gertz (2012) recommends innovation and development of better justice structures in the future. Comp stat makes the evaluation process effective because the system records all the information both success and failures. This facilitates accurate analysis of the justice system. Rational decision-making helps the police officers coordinate all the activities of the decision making process in a way that achieves justice in the society. It involves making decisions according to the required standards and principles in the justice system (Cole & Gertz, 2012).
Conclusion
Comp stat system plays a major role in promoting police efficiency in their duties. The system has proved effective in reducing crimes in large cities across the United States. It has the potential of creating positive change in the safety and civility of cities and improving their public image. Comp stat helps guide the police department in the allocation of resources for reducing crime. It also ensures that the past failures in the police department are analyzed effectively to avoid future crime incidents. Comp stat proves that technology advances are crucial in the criminal justice system.
Reference
Cole, G. & Gertz, M. (2012). The criminal justice system: politics and policies. New York, NY: WADSWORTH Incorporated FULFILLMENT.
