Police Problems: the Complexity of Problem Theory, Research and Evaluation

Advancement of problem-oriented policing has been stymied by over-attention to police organizations and under-attention to police problems. This paper develops a research agenda for understanding police problems by addressing four fundamental questions: What are problems? What causes problems? How can we find effective solutions to problems? And how can we learn from problem solving? For each question a possible direction for theory, research, or evaluation is suggested. The variety of police problems, their non-linear feedback systems, the diversity of responses that can be applied to problems, and the difficulty of learning from problem-solving experiences highlight the complexity of police problems. The paper closes with a list of research questions designed to improve the science and practice of problem analysis and solution. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH POLICE RESEARCH? Problem-oriented policing has become the victim of the disease it was meant to cure, the "means over ends syndrome." Symptoms of this disease include studies examining the internal workings of police organizations implementing problem-oriented policing, confusing problem-oriented policing with community policing, and generally failing to recognize that a new approach to policing requires a different approach to research. Though the number of police agencies applying problem solving has grown rapidly, particularly since 1987, Crime Prevention Studies, vol. 15 (2003), pp. 79-113.