Early Intervention to Reduce Complaints: An Australian Victoria Police Initiative

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Author(s)
Macintyre, Stuart
Prenzler, Timothy
Chapman, Jackie
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2008
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Complaints profiling', 'early warning' or 'early intervention' systems are currently seen as vital mechanisms for reducing police misconduct and improving police-community relations. This paper reports on the introduction of an early intervention system for police in the State of Victoria, Australia. The findings support the contention that such systems have a demonstrable utility in reducing complaints. A sample of 44 individuals profiled showed that interventions resulted in a 71.07 per cent reduction in complaints, from an expected 121 down to 35 over a two-year period. Additionally, the study showed that the financial ...
View more >Complaints profiling', 'early warning' or 'early intervention' systems are currently seen as vital mechanisms for reducing police misconduct and improving police-community relations. This paper reports on the introduction of an early intervention system for police in the State of Victoria, Australia. The findings support the contention that such systems have a demonstrable utility in reducing complaints. A sample of 44 individuals profiled showed that interventions resulted in a 71.07 per cent reduction in complaints, from an expected 121 down to 35 over a two-year period. Additionally, the study showed that the financial cost-benefit effects were very positive, with reduced complaints resulting in an estimated saving of AU$3.2 million over the two years. A study of a sample of nine locations showed a 58.6 per cent reduction in complaints, from a projected number of 60.6 down to 25 over a one-year period, with an estimated saving of AU$1.4 million. The paper also describes the types of interventions used and a number of issues that arise from complaints profiling.
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View more >Complaints profiling', 'early warning' or 'early intervention' systems are currently seen as vital mechanisms for reducing police misconduct and improving police-community relations. This paper reports on the introduction of an early intervention system for police in the State of Victoria, Australia. The findings support the contention that such systems have a demonstrable utility in reducing complaints. A sample of 44 individuals profiled showed that interventions resulted in a 71.07 per cent reduction in complaints, from an expected 121 down to 35 over a two-year period. Additionally, the study showed that the financial cost-benefit effects were very positive, with reduced complaints resulting in an estimated saving of AU$3.2 million over the two years. A study of a sample of nine locations showed a 58.6 per cent reduction in complaints, from a projected number of 60.6 down to 25 over a one-year period, with an estimated saving of AU$1.4 million. The paper also describes the types of interventions used and a number of issues that arise from complaints profiling.
View less >
Journal Title
International Journal of Police Science & Management
Volume
10
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2008 Vathek Publishing Ltd. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Use hypertext link to access the publisher's webpage.
Subject
Criminology
Police administration, procedures and practice
Policy and administration