Civilianization

The July 2024 Police Executive Research Forum Publication Embracing Civilianization: Integrating Professional Staff to Advance Modern Policing is available at this link.

"Skilled analysts are more essential than ever as law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on technology to help make decisions, solve crimes, deliver services, and provide transparency. These technologies range from abstract concepts such as predictive policing, intelligence-led policing, and artificial intelligence to concrete applications such as body-worn cameras, social media, gun- shot detection systems, closed-circuit television, and crime mapping. The analysts who develop and implement these systems must possess a wide range of expertise and skills. While there are certainly some police officers who may possess these abilities, they are more typically found in skilled professionals who come from outside policing."

I just hope that analysts don't get trapped into technology expert roles where their thinking skills are overlooked. Analysts don't have to be developers of systems, because developers are not analysts. I think true analysts interpret the meaning of information versus roles that require knowing how to use tools.