Evaluation of Experiments in Policing

Abstract

Since its inception in 1970, the Police Foundation has, in collaboration with a number of police agencies across the country, initiated 16 substantial pieces of evaluation research in the field of urban policing, of which, so far, eleven are finished. This paper summarizes what the Foundation is learning about evaluatzon of experiments in policing from these experiences. Stress is placed on the requirement for an explicit planningphase prior to and as a condition of support for an experiment, the need for flexibility in the use of additional resources during planning and implementation of an experiment under strong program monitoring, and the role of the police administrator in maintaining experimental condi tions. Costs and benefits to police administrators of adopting a testing philosophy are addressed.