MA Research Paper

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Sociology

Supervisor

Dale Ballucci

Delay of Publication

1

Abstract

This article examines the importance of the relationship between police officers and crime analysts in the production and application of analyst outputs. Using qualitative interview data on ten analysts and two officers from one province in Canada, we illustrate the role and responsibilities of analysts, the effects of their relations with officers on their work, as well as the intended objectivity of crime analysis within intelligence-led policing (ILP). Specifically, we analyze the use of experiential knowledge by police officers in their patrols resulting in the underutilization of analyst products. The rampant miscommunication between officers and analysts leads to a cycle of misinformation, furthering the civilian-sworn divide present in police culture. As a result, it is revealed that analysts also exert experiential knowledge and discretion within their duties. We argue analysts and officers do not differ substantially in their knowledge production, as is previously believed in existing literature. The research is important to evaluate and understand how data driven policing is occurring and the ways it can be improved in the future.

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