What is COMPSTAT?

COMPSTAT, short for computer statistics, or comparative statistics, is a strategic management philosophy used by police to approach crime reduction.  COMPSTAT emphasizes accountability at all levels within the organization and emphasizes the rapid identification of problems with creative solutions. 

COMPSTAT was originally created by the New York City Police Department to better deal with crime at the precinct level, based on what types and frequencies of crimes were actually happening on a regular basis.  It is not a computer system or software package, but rather an organizational management tool where crime maps and statistics are used to actively target crime in the areas where it is needed the most.

Since its creation, COMPSTAT has become well-established and gained a proven track record in reducing crime and improving the overall efficiency of many major metropolitan police departments.  Cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, New Orleans, and Newark, New Jersey have all experienced significant reduction in violent crimes as a result of the implementation of the COMPSTAT crime control model.

The core elements of this method have allowed officers to proactively target emerging crime trends rather than just reacting to them.  Police managers are given the authority to deploy their resources to get the desired results, and are held accountable for those results.

The Four Principles of COMPSTAT

• Accurate and Timely Intelligence
• Effective Tactics
• Rapid Deployment
• Relentless Follow-Up and Assessment

Accurate and Timely Intelligence

Intelligence, or information on criminal activity, is essential to respond to any problem or crisis.  As the police improve their methods of collecting information about criminal activity, it becomes more and more important to distill and refine that volume of data into information that can be used at all levels of the Police Department. 

Computer software such as geographic information systems (GIS) and advanced analytical techniques are used to condense and summarize current crime information to produce intelligence that is accurate and timely, greatly assisting in targeting crime in the early stages.  This information allows for police resources to be directed to the exact problem as quickly as possible.

Effective Tactics

Rather than simply responding to calls and situations as single isolated incidents, COMPSTAT encourages a broader approach.  External factors such as the social or environmental contributors to crime are considered when responding to problems.

COMPSTAT tactics encourage that all available resources, both external and internal, be used to respond quickly and systematically to each and every call for service.

Rapid Deployment

Traditionally, policing has been done in a very reactive manner, where departments struggle to have police officers respond as quickly as possible to calls for service.  Limited resources and patrol coverage areas can mean that response times can vary significantly.  COMPSTAT allows police managers to strategically place resources based on recent activity and crime trends.  This intelligence means that calls for service can be dealt with quicker and more effectively, by officers who are better informed on current activities.

Relentless Follow-Up and Assessment

The COMPSTAT model includes the requirement to constantly evaluate the success of the police in reducing crime.  Crime maps and statistics can be used each and every week to measure the effectiveness of the tactics and strategies being employed.  Just as a private business would look at its revenue to indicate whether it was doing well, the police examine the change in crime to measure the success of past tactics.  Operations that are not providing successful results can be assessed to determine if there is value in continuing them.

The West Vancouver Police Department COMPSTAT Unit

In West Vancouver, the COMPSTAT unit works hard to provide all levels of the Department with current intelligence, which is then used to form effective tactics to combat crime.

Chief Constable Peter LEPINE chairs a monthly COMPSTAT session where data is presented and reviewed.  The performance of police supervisors and managers is assessed and the resulting recommendations used to create new crime reduction strategies, where resources are allocated to their assigned areas based on current crime trends.

The continuous COMPSTAT cycle of reviewing, strategizing, taking action and being held accountable for results has streamlined the Department's crime fighting abilities and increased it effectiveness in responding quickly to crime problems.