Analyzation of Hot Spot Policing Strategies Among Different Sized Departments

Community-based policing and proactive policing are at the forefront of America’s efforts to improve policing. Research shows that data-driven policing, such as focusing efforts on crime hot spots, reduces crime not only in a certain area but in the overall community as well. However, each department may implement data-driven policing differently depending on the unique features of the department. To examine this, interviews and observations were conducted of the Arizona State University Police Department and the Scottsdale Police Department. The results suggest that university police and municipality police have different methods, strategies, and information flow when recognizing and responding to hot spots. On this basis, police departments should develop a plan tailored to their community. Further research is needed to determine how police departments can respond to hot spots using specific community traits.