Improving Regional Policing: A Review of Protective Services. Undertaking an Audit of a Method of Analysis Using Soft Systems Methodology

This paper illustrates how soft systems methodology (SSM) was used in undertaking an audit of an analysis method — Micro-Analysis — for improving effectiveness and efficiency in a particular area of policing known as ‘protective services’. The authors were asked to support the Regional Project Director tasked with exploring options for collaboration between North Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Police and Humberside Police. SSM was used to develop a reference model relevant to protective services which, together with information categories for each of the SSM activities and conceptual measures of performance, was used to analyse the efficacy of Micro-Analysis by comparing and contrasting information content. The paper further explains the importance of the use of other techniques and tools to overcome the information richness and to meet the need for flexibility of data representation. Finally, the paper reflects on the deliverables and achieved outcome of the project and suggests some further application of the approach.