Science-based debates over the long-term causes of crime usually stand little chance against politicised law-and-order pushes fuelled by alarmist headlines and talkback outrage. But signs are emerging that policing leaders are starting to embrace their inner wonk to find solutions to law enforcement’s harder problems.
Melbourne this week plays host to the Global Evidence Based Policing Conference 2024. It’s only the second time the event has been held, bringing together researchers, investigators, policy experts and program designers to boil the numbers on the theme of “what works in policing for community safety and our people”.
It’s a debate that plenty of seasoned cops are up for, with representation from the UK, New Zealand, the US, Canada and the Netherlands exploring what methods, approaches and interventions can be proven to be effective …