Analysis in SARA Model: Tools, Principles, and Challenges
The SARA model is a problem-solving technique employed in community-based policing. The acronym stands for scanning, analyzing, responding, and assessing interventions designed to resolve local policing problems (Peak & Glensor, 2018). The SARA model aims to resolve the underlying causes of community problems rather than just responding to crime after it happens. A vital component of this problem-solving approach is the analysis aspect. Analysis in the SARA model refers to evaluating relevant data about a specific problem before preparing appropriate solutions and responses to the community issue (Peak & Glensor, 2018). Researchers and police officers may use analysis and its principles to understand the conditions that cause and enable a community problem to exist. In this paper, the principles of analysis in the SARA model are examined, tools police can use to conduct analysis described, and some challenges police agencies may encounter when applying problem-solving techniques discussed.
Principles of Analysis
Analysis is the second step in the SARA model, which consists of several applicable principles. First, analysis encompasses the identification of events and conditions that precede the occurrence of a community problem (Peak & Glensor, 2018). Second, all relevant data revolving around the problem is collected and research conducted to gain better understanding of the issue at hand. Third, an inventory is taken on how the problem is currently being resolved to determine effectiveness of existing interventions. Afterward, the scope of the problem is narrowed as much as possible to obtain clarity about the ongoing issue. Next, valuable resources that may facilitate an adequate response are identified and assembled. Lastly, a working hypothesis about why the problem is happening is developed (Peak & Glensor, 2018). Therefore, analysis is complete once relevant data is compiled, possible hypothesis about the problem developed, and probable resources to resolve the community issue assembled.
Tools to Conduct Analysis
Police agencies require sound analytical tools to collect quality data and understand the problem sufficiently before effectively resolving the problem (Sidebottom et al., 2020). Four tools are available for crime analysts to break down the problem and structure relevant data in a useful manner. The first tool is the real-time analytical intelligence database (RAID) developed by the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC). The RAID software records key pieces of information and is applicable in identifying links between people, businesses, and financial accounts during investigations (Sidebottom et al., 2020). Police agencies may use this software to identify significant commonalities within a small or large database across multiple datasets that are necessary when analyzing a problem.
Subsequently, policing agencies may acquire the commercially available analytical tool referred to as the Geographic Information System (GIS). Depending on the available financial resources within a police department, the GIS software has been proven as a useful yet expensive crime analysis tool. Crime analysts suggest that the GIS software applies analytical methods to identify crime trends and neighborhoods susceptible to varying forms of crime (Peak & Glensor, 2018). The software imports data from disparate record systems, such as police data, health data, and local authority data. Afterward, it creates an updated incident map that illustrates areas requiring extra police focus. The GIS software is also useful in mapping crime counts, performing problem location analysis, and evaluating available police resources to address pertinent problems (Peak & Glensor, 2018). Using the GIS software, police can perform evidence-based crime reduction exercises, and optimize the available resources to address high-priority community issues.
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The third analysis tool available to police agencies is known as a crime script, which refers to the stages necessary for a crime to occur (Christmas & Srivastava, 2019). A crime script is helpful in analyzing the actions taken before, during, and after a crime takes place. Using this script, police agencies can identify preventive resolution points to deter the crime from taking place. Lastly, police officers can use a problem analysis triangle to structure the mandatory conditions contributing to a specific community problem (Christmas & Srivastava, 2019). The problem analysis triangle consists of the inner, middle, and outermost triangles representing the different players acting around a local problem. The inner triangle reveals the conditions necessary for illegal activity to occur, the middle triangle portrays players in a position to deter illegal activity, and the outermost triangle depicts super controllers, such as guardians and local authorities capable of eliminating a particular problem (Christmas & Srivastava, 2019). The last two analysis tools are affordable analytical tools for breaking down the structure of a problem to determine resolution points.
Difficulties facing policing agencies in applying problem-solving techniques
Problem-solving techniques are limited in that they require numerous resources during preparation and implementation. Police agencies already have limited resources to acquire some of the specialized information systems necessary to conduct crime analysis and mapping (Peak & Glensor, 2018, 212). Another barrier facing the application of these techniques is the rising number of requirements to employ problem-solving strategies. Legislations governing the application of problem-solving techniques deter policing agencies from employing some resolutions deemed unethical and discriminatory towards certain communities (Braga et al., 2019). Public opinion is particularly low about crime mapping and predictive policing, which are accused of reinforcing stereotypes and misconceptions. Public support of problem-solving techniques is necessary because civilians are the main source of data used in addressing community issues (Christmas & Srivastava, 2019). Thus, without abundant public support, police officers are unable to collect sufficient and reliable data about a problem they may attempt to resolve in such communities.
References
Braga, A. A., Turchan, B., Papachristos, A. V., & Hureau, D. M. (2019). Hot spots policing of small geographic areas effects on crime. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 15(3), e1046.
Christmas, H., & Srivastava, J. (2019). Public health approaches in policing. Public Health England and College of Policing.
Peak, K., & Glensor, R. (2018). Community and Problem-Oriented Policing: Effectively Addressing Crime and Disorder, 7th E.
Sidebottom, A., Bullock, K., Ashby, M., Kirby, S., Armitage, R., Laycock, G., & Tilley, N. (2020). Successful police problem-solving: A practice guide.