Crime analysis 2 - Coursework Example

The attempt to understand why calls for service should not be used can be based on several reasons. Calls for service are used by many police organizations to map response time and understand what is necessary to better assist the community. Specifically calls for service are beneficial when used in addition to other information with regards to response time and call handling. However, to track and monitor crime reducing capabilities unfortunately, data gathered from calls for service are not solid enough to do this with.

As a result it is important when using calls for service data to bear in mind that they are not necessarily solid data sets and should only be seen as helpful aids. Calls for service are among the most common types of information mapped by many police departments, according to a RAND study. (Schwabe, Davis, Jackson p. 22) However, calls for service do not reflect crime, they are simply calls for service until the officers arrive and assess or address the situation. One reason calls for service should not be used is that they do not necessarily represent crime occurring.

Alternatively there is the possibility that the calls are regarding the same subjects, due to the potentially repetitive nature of the 911 call system if one used the service data they run the risk of redundant responses and data. Another reason why calls for service should not be used is that they can also contain errors that regularly occur as a result of information input at the time. This is reason enough to not utilize service data calls, though there is the additional reason that the calls themselves may in fact be false calls.

Schwabe, Davis, Jackson, W, L, B. (2001) "Challenges and Choices for Crime-Fighting Technology Federal Support of State and Local Law Enforcement." RAND. 22. Print.