The Evolution of the Police Analyst and the Influence of Evidence-Based Policing

Abstract

The National Intelligence Model (NIM), implemented in the UK during 2000, was at the centre of the police reform agenda and catalyst for a growth in the number of police analyst posts within UK police agencies. Since then commentators have questioned whether the role of the police analyst has lived up to expectation. This has been an interesting development considering that crime analysis is an essential component in influencing policing activity. This study explores the status of police analysts in the UK and outlines why the position may have been undermined. However, it also asks whether the growing emphasis towards evidence-based policing (EBP) provides a renewed opportunity for police analysts and the integration of crime analysis. It argues the integration of EBP (interpreted in its widest sense) could be an evolutionary step in finally establishing the police analyst as a true law enforcement professional. In doing so, it examines the role of the analyst both as a producer of information and as a bridge to partners, including academia, to assist in co-production of rigorous analysis that can be used to direct policing resources and influence policy.