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Cited by 54Policing Practices and PerceptionsCrime Patterns and InterventionsCriminal Justice and Penology

Critic Problem-oriented policing: the disconnect between principles and practice

Braga, Anthony A., Weisburd, David·2006·Police Innovation
DOI 10.1017/cbo9780511489334.007
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Abstract

Problem-oriented policing works to identify why things are going wrong and to frame responses using a wide variety of innovative approaches (Goldstein 1979). Using a basic iterative approach of problem identification, analysis, response, assessment, and adjustment of the response, this adaptable and dynamic analytic approach provides an appropriate framework to uncover the complex mechanisms at play in crime problems and to develop tailor-made interventions to address the underlying conditions that cause crime problems (Eck and Spelman 1987; Goldstein 1990). Researchers have found problem-oriented policing to be effective in controlling a wide range of specific crime and disorder problems, such as convenience store robberies (Hunter and Jeffrey 1992), prostitution (Matthews 1990), and alcohol-related violence in pubs and clubs (Homel, Hauritz, Wortley et al. 1997). Indeed, there is very promising evidence of the effectiveness of the approach (Braga 2002; Committee to Review Research 2004; Weisburd and Eck 2004). But is the “problem-oriented policing” that researchers have evaluated similar to the model of problem-oriented policing that its originators proposed? There is substantial evidence that, too often, the principles envisioned by Herman Goldstein are not being practiced in the field. Deficiencies in current problem-oriented policing practices exist in all phases of the process. A number of scholars have identified challenging issues in the substance and implementation of many problem-oriented policing projects, including: the tendency for officers to conduct only a superficial analysis of problems and then rush to implement a response, the tendency for officers to rely on traditional or faddish responses rather than conducting a wider search for creative responses, and the tendency to completely ignore the assessment of the effectiveness of implemented responses (Cordner 1998; but also see Clarke 1998; Read and Tilley; Scott and Clarke 2000).

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  • The available evidence suggests that even "shallow" problem solving better focuses police crime prevention efforts at crime hot spots.

    “While it is difficult for police agencies to implement the “ideal” version of POP (Braga & Weisburd, 2006; Cordner & Biebel, 2005; Eck, 2006), the available evidence suggests that even “shallow” problem solving better focuses police crime prevention efforts at crime hot spots.”

    From Hot spots policing of small geographic areas effects on crime (2019) · cites this paper as Braga & Weisburd, 2006

  • The three new unpublished randomized controlled trials further strengthen the conclusions of the systematic review.

    “All three experiments reported significant crime control gains and further strengthen the conclusions of this systematic review. 12”

    From Hot spots policing effects on crime (2012) · cites this paper as [12]

  • All three new unpublished randomized controlled trials of hot spots policing reported significant crime control gains.

    “All three experiments reported significant crime control gains and further strengthen the conclusions of this systematic review. 12”

    From Hot spots policing effects on crime (2012) · cites this paper as [12]

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Authors
Braga, A. A., & Weisburd, D.
Affiliations
  • Harvard University (US)
  • Hebrew University of Jerusalem (IL)
ORCID
Venue
Police Innovation
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Published
2006-05-04
Pages
133-152
DOI
10.1017/cbo9780511489334.007
OpenAlex
W406049840
Cited by
54
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 5
FWCI
11.08
Type
book chapter
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 1237 d)
Locations
Cambridge University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Policing Practices and Perceptions
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Law › Criminal Justice and Penology
Keywords
problem-oriented policing, police practice, problem identification, crime prevention strategies

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