Intelligence-led policing is defined as the application of criminal intelligence analysis as a rigorous decision making tool to facilitate crime reduction and prevention through effective policing strategies. Three structures (criminal environment, intelligence and the decision maker) and three processes (interpret, influence and impact) are identified as necessary for an intelligence-led policing model to work. The first stage of the model is being able to interpret the criminal environment. This is usually performed by an intelligence section or unit and relies on a range of sources both within and external to the police service. The second stage is that intelligence is able to be identified and have an influence on the decision makers. This requires the ability to be able to sell and promote the intelligence to the decision maker. Thirdly, intelligence-led policing requires decision makers being able to have the skills and enthusiasm to explore ways to reduce crime and have a positive impact on the criminal environment.
An intelligence-led policing and crime reduction process [see attached PDF for chart]
Source
- Ratcliffe, J, 2003, "Intelligence-led Policing", Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, no. 248, Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra.