Compstat (Fort Worth, TX)
Axios
Policing
Problems addressed
Violent crimes
Crime and delinquency (multiple types)
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
People of all ages
Where the program was applied
Police station or police department
Country of application
United States
Description

The main objective of the Compstat management system is to develop specialized solutions to fight crime by improving the management of police resources and the functioning of police departments.
The system focuses on four main components:
1) Timely and accurate information and intelligence;
2) Rapid deployment of resources;
3) Effective tactics; and
4) Permanent monitoring.
The implementation of the system is usually accompanied by various other actions that may vary from city to city. The original Compstat model was implemented by the New York City Police Department in 1990, and approximately 50 cities in the United States have adopted similar programs.
The Fort Worth Police Department implemented its version in 2002, with the aim of reducing crime associated with disturbances of peace and order (“broken windows” thesis). By reducing neighborhood disorder, the hope was to improve citizens’ quality of life and reduce more serious crimes [1].

Impact evaluations

An impact assessment showed that in New York City there are differences between the studies carried out, with some pointing to a direct relationship between a reduction in crime and Compstat and others indicating that there was no relationship [1].
The case of Fort Worth (Texas) was analyzed, and there was an increase in the number of arrests, a reduction in the number of property crimes and crime in general, but no impact on violent crime rates [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Jang, Hyunseok, Larry T. Hoover, Hee–Jong Joo. 2010. “An Evaluation of Compstat’s Effect on Crime: The Fort Worth Experience.” Police Quarterly 13(4):387–412.

Information source