Intelligence-Led Policing

Abstract

This paper is timely, given that is currently going through a period of significant change in both operational tactics and organisational structures. New ideas in crime reduction and changes to short- and long-term strategies are underway. Intelligence-led represents a recent approach and is one of the more prevalent of the current shifts in crime control philosophy and practice (Maguire 2000). Surprisingly, given the wide distribution of the term considerable confusion remains in regard to its actual meaning to both front-line officers and police management. This paper provides an introduction to and discusses some of the related limitations and opportunities. Adam Graycar Director Since the 1990s, policing (also known as intelligence-driven policing) has entered the lexicon of modern policing, especially in the UK and more recently Australia. Yet even with the ability of ideas and innovation to spread throughout the world at the click of a mouse, there is still a lack of clarity among many in law enforcement as to what is, what it aims to achieve, and how it is supposed to operate. This can be seen in recent inspection reports of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) in the UK (HMIC 2001, 2002), and in the lack of clarity regarding in the United States. A recent summit in March 2002 of over 120 criminal intelligence experts from across the US, funded by the US government and organised by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, may become a turning poi…