The " Business" of Intelligence Led Policing - Part One

Intelligence Led Policing is considered a business model in the United Kingdom, as per their National Intelligence Model, but here in the US we seldom understand policing, or, for that matter, public services, in terms of "business."

Many of those working on policing issues are either civil servants in the trenches (officers and analysts) and/or academics with little knowledge of the business world. Most of us hear the word "business" and think of a profit-seeking entity.

Basically, a business can be described as an organization designed to provide goods and/or services to consumers. The primary aim of Intelligence Led Policing is to deliver the best services possible to our consumers (including you, me and the citizenry), based on the purpose of the organization: policing. The service we provide is increased public safety, rather than fighting crime. Fighting crime without increasing safety means the service didn't work. The business of policing has a history of confused objectives. Confused objectives impede success.

There is no doubt that our consumers want less crime and more safety. This may not mean a huge reduction in crime numbers. It might not mean understanding the root causes of crime. Business research does not have to meet the rigors of academic research. It just has to get the job done. That is a source of great confusion. Real world business does not have to devise studies that prove anything - their focus is outcome. Did we do what we set out to do? Did we find a way to deliver what was needed? Are our customers safer?

Intelligence Led Policing is about policing better, not about debating the causes of crime, not about extensive research, not about tools or technology, and not about politics. Policing is not about justice. It is about public safety. Preventing crime should be its central mission. While we know that there will always be crime and people to arrest, we must keep our focus on the mission and believe that, as the service-providers society has tasked to make our streets safe, we can deliver.

From the National Intelligence Model: "In many cases, it may be about realigning existing resources and procedures to achieve maximum effectiveness rather than the launching of a comprehensive new initiative." Crime and intelligence analysis, at its best, helps police work smarter in the real world rather than the ivory tower.

More in how we can learn from business models in future posts...