Abstract
The Crime Numbers Game: Management by Manipulation offers a detailed assessment related to the use of crime statistics with regard to management and policy within the New York Police Department (NYPD). Within the context of various political and organizational structures, this text explores the following:
The distortions and dysfunctional nature of Compstat managerial crime fighting systems. The evidence of data which reveals the extent of manipulation within law enforcement crime statistics. The consequences associated with the use of faulty data with respect to law enforcement management, personnel, citizens, and crime victims. The prevalence of performance-based management within law enforcement agencies in the world. The extent and justification of workplace bullying among management within law enforcement. The relationship between law enforcement and the media. Theoretical implications associated with the use of Compstat. The necessity of organizational transparency within law enforcement.
In Chapter 1, entitled The Unusual Suspects, the authors uncover the premise associated with the improper use of crime statistics by discussing various accounts of retributive police action along with the reformatory efforts of a former police officer. This leads into an overview and development related to the use of performance-based assessment measures, which includes the trend of aligning police agencies along with privatized organizational objectives. The chapter concludes with the use of Compstat accountability measures and a summary of each subsequent chapter included in the text.
Chapter 2, entitled The NYPD’s Untold Story: Crime Report Manipulation, the systemic and negative use of Compstat within police management and policy is described. This often involves a considerable amount of managerial pressure to obtain certain performance-based objectives through the manipulation of crime statistics. In light of such, the various origins of manipulated data are identified, which includes a number of respective resources (i.e., hospitals, survey data, interviews, etc). The chapter concludes with an emphasis based upon the need for impartial assessment and review of the NYPD as well as accuracy within data collection procedures.
In Chapter 3, entitled Performance Management: Pitfalls and Prospects, the unreliable and negative impact of crime statistics is presented through the use of a restrictive hierarchical management philosophy. This constrictive ideology is evident within the functions and expectations of street-level police officers, which often results in decreased levels of individual discretion and quality-based service (i.e., interpersonal skills, creativity, etc). The chapter concludes by emphasizing that the business model reform efforts within policing may give way to the use of totalitarian principles and expediency at the expense of quality service and individual freedoms.
Chapter 4, entitled Police Performance Management: The View From Abroad, the use of performance-based policing within the United Kingdom is discussed. This includes the political and organizational climate that stimulated the perceived need for business-based performance measures which resulted in the identification of specific irregularities (i.e., reclassification of crime, etc), streamlining bureaucratic benefits, and an increase government-based assessment measures. Other countries, such as Australia and France, were also influenced by similar performance-based pressures. The chapter concludes by highlighting the negative impact of performance-based objectives, the necessity of skepticism in relation to crime statistics and the need for transparency within police management.
In Chapter 5, entitled Big Bad Bully Bosses: Leadership 101, fear-based management within the organizational atmosphere of policing is examined. This includes accounts of unprofessional behavior exhibited by police management in an effort to meet certain performance-based criteria. Along with creating unhealthy levels of tension among police, this approach often results in division and resentment toward management among street-level police officers. The identification of research-based bullying within the workplace is discussed along with the various methods in which bullying is encouraged (i.e., promotion, protected, etc) within police departments. The chapter concludes with a discussion regarding the need for leadership training within all ranks of personnel within policing, styles of leadership, and the need for employing the use of Compstat in a neutral or positive context.
Chapter 6 entitled NYPD and the Media: Curbing Criticism, media attention associated with the integrity of crime data statistics as well as the various corresponding criticisms is examined. This includes a description of the symbiotic relationship between the NYPD and the media. Detailed instances and examples of the NYPD’s influential relationship with the media are explored with an emphasis on how police information is provided and how criticisms and contradictory information is addressed. The chapter concludes with a litany of challenges and implication associated with the media-based public safety objectives of the NYPD, the constitutional rights of free press within the media, and the established political atmosphere within New York.
In Chapter 7, entitled Compstat: Underpinnings and Implications, the use of Compstat in relation to criminal justice theory is addressed. This involves a brief description of the broken windows theory along with its use in relation to the origins of the Compstat management tool within policing. Based upon the implications of Compstat, the necessity of limited police power, the balance between crime fighting and due process, and the necessity of transparency are emphasized. To underscore, and in some cases justify the ramifications associated with the use of Compstat, numerous theories and enforcement measures are identified. The chapter concludes with a discussion reiterating the negative side effects of Compstat operational policies.
Chapter 8, entitled Silence Is Not an Option, the need for reform with regards to the use of Compstat is highlighted. In an interesting fashion, the chapter begins by presenting details associated with specific instances of information suppression with respect to academic presentation and exposure on behalf of the authors. This leads to a discussion regarding the prospective impact of their research which includes both crime victim assistance and citizen-based antiterrorism measures. In order to remedy the various negative aspects associated with the exclusive use of Compstat within policing (i.e., pressure-based police management, etc), a clear and systemic focus on transparency is offered. This includes allowing local police commanders the discretion to reveal certain critical aspects of crime to the public, potential accreditation memberships for local police agencies, and relevant legislative and organizational policy reform within policing.
The Crime Numbers Game: Management by Manipulation provides an insightful and sobering illustration of how a law enforcement agency may function exclusively under the premise of a management business model based upon public perception and quantitative merits. Within the context of political and organizational objectives, this text uncovers a wealth of policy-based information associated with the manipulation of crime statistics. Through the use of various research evidence (i.e., interviews, institutional records, etc), the authors present a compelling argument for balance, transparency, oversight, and collaborative efforts with regard to the dissemination of police-based crime statistics. The content of the text contributes to literature related to the study of policing and police administration as well as the social conflict perspective. In terms of critical thought and research The Crime Numbers Game: Management by Manipulation encourages one to seek beyond the extent of police administrative policies in an effort to understand a culture which promotes, conceals, and justifies manipulation.