“Evidence-based policing is best understood as a decision-making process which integrates the best available evidence, professional judgement and community values, preferences and circumstances.” – Stephan Klose
In his recently published paper, Stephan Klose from the Vrije Universiteit Brussels – partner of INDEED – proposes a revised definition of evidence-based policing. This new definition, which emphasizes the integration of “the best available evidence, professional judgement, and community values, preferences, and circumstances,” offers a more holistic and practical approach to policing.
It recognises that effective policing requires a balance between scientific rigour, practical experience, and community engagement. By incorporating community values and perspectives into the decision-making process, evidence-based policing can become more responsive and accountable to the people it serves. Such an approach not only promotes police legitimacy but also ensures that policing strategies are tailored to the specific needs and concerns of different communities.
The proposed definition and its three integral elements – best available evidence, professional judgement, and community values – serve as a roadmap for the future development of an evidence-based policing agenda. It encourages police departments to adopt a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to policing, one that is grounded in rigorous research, informed by practical experience, and shaped by the input of the communities they serve.
