The effective analyst: a study of what makes an effective crime and intelligence analyst
TL;DR: In this article, a study aimed to identify the skills and abilities required by an analyst to be recognized as effective, and three clusters of variables were identified that indicate an effective analyst; they would have skills, abilities that could contribute to the development and dissemination of an analytical product, and an attitude that included being productive, seeking out work, having a high-level commitment and pride and having a can do attitude.
Abstract: The current study aimed to identify the skills and abilities required by an analyst to be recognised as effective. Thirty subject matter experts (SMEs) were engaged using the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) to explore the specific skills and abilities of crime and intelligence analysts that result in them being deemed effective. Semi-structured interviews and the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) were conducted to strengthen these findings. Three clusters of variables were identified that indicate an effective analyst; they would have skills and abilities that could contribute to the development and dissemination of an analytical product, they would have an attitude that included being productive, seeking out work, having a high-level commitment and pride and having a ‘can do’ attitude. Some physical and personal attributes, like gender and age, were included that characterise effectiveness. The findings are discussed in relation to earlier descriptions of the skills needed to be an analyst. The findings i...
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors reflect on their experiences of building a police-academic partnership, focusing on: (1) the internal organisational and cultural drivers and barriers; (2) the opportunities offered via 'in-house' research by analysts and police officers and (3) evaluation.
Abstract: Partnerships between police and academics have proliferated in recent years, reflecting the increased recognition of the benefits to be had on both sides from collaborating on research, knowledge transfer and other activities. The literature on police–academic partnerships refer to inherent obstacles in bringing the ‘two worlds’ of research and practice together, and reflects an increased recognition on both sides of the benefits to be had from the co-production of research – reflecting a shift from conducting research on police, to conducting research with police. This takes place in the wider context of moves towards evidence-based policing, and the professionalisation of policing in the UK. In this paper we reflect on our experiences of building a police–academic partnership, focusing on: (1) the internal organisational and cultural drivers and barriers; (2) the opportunities offered via ‘in-house’ research by analysts and police officers and (3) evaluation. We highlight the increasing risk pre...
51 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the work of crime analysts to understand how they police through flows of data and how their work informs policing practices on the ground, and argue that organisational understandings of crime analysis combined with the analytic platforms utilised have forced crime analysis to work within traditional police performance initiatives that both respond to and reinforce reactive policing practice.
Abstract: Crime analysis is the systematic analysis of crime for identifying and predicting risks and efficiently directing police resources. Adopting a social construction of technology framework, we explore the work of crime analysts to understand how they police through flows of data and how their work informs policing practices on the ground. Specifically we look at: (1) the organisational and cultural integration of crime analysis in Canada, (2) the technological support of analytic practices, and (3) the incorporation of crime analysis for policing practices. From this analysis, we argue that organisational understandings of crime analysis combined with the analytic platforms utilised have forced crime analysts to work within traditional police performance initiatives that both respond to and reinforce reactive policing practice. Crime analysis and the practice of policing through flows of data have changed the symbolic nature of policing while reaffirming traditional ways of knowing and policing.
36 citations
TL;DR: An intelligence-led conservation framework, as well as an operational model referred to as the Ranger Analytic Intelligence Network specifically tailored for conservation efforts in Uganda, are introduced.
Abstract: The multidisciplinary nature of conservation science lends itself to be a unique area of study for those interested in crime science. In particular, crime scientists can contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of crime and intelligence analysis that address wildlife crime. Crime and intelligence analysis has gained significant attention from conservationists in recent years due to the increasing accessibility and capabilities of various forms of information technology. This has led to significant gains in the ability to collect and analyse information resulting in the push for intelligence-led approaches to guide wildlife law enforcement. Based on a process evaluation of the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s intelligence strategy, this paper contributes to the literature by introducing an intelligence-led conservation framework, as well as an operational model referred to as the Ranger Analytic Intelligence Network specifically tailored for conservation efforts in Uganda. Several important caveats that warrant consideration prior to and during the development of an intelligence-led conservation approach are also presented. Lastly, implications for policy are discussed.
34 citations
Cites background from "The effective analyst: a study of w..."
...Additionally, training of staff helps establish the role that analysts have within the organisation to ensure that they are viewed as part of the support structure for decisionmakers as opposed to being merely seen as technical specialists (Evans and Kebbell 2012)....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored whether crime analysis has been integrated into policing practice and found that while crime analysis is acknowledged as being central to the business of everyday policing, police officers' general lack of understanding of how analysts work and their capability leads to underutilisation of their skills.
Abstract: Following the introduction of National Intelligence Model (NIM) in 2004, this paper explores whether crime analysis has been integrated into policing practice. Fieldwork was conducted in one UK police force with both analysts and police officers. Findings from the analysis of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions suggest that while crime analysis is acknowledged as being central to the business of everyday policing, police officers’ general lack of understanding of how analysts work and their capability leads to underutilisation of their skills. The research uncovered knowledge and process gaps, deepened by cultural constraints, budget cuts and resource reallocations, which inhibited incorporation of analysis into the heart of policing practice. Findings also indicated that analysts lack the resources, time, and sometimes, motivation to undertake sophisticated analysis, and often feel frustrated when officers’ opinions override analytical wisdom. The paper argues that at least in ...
24 citations
Cites background from "The effective analyst: a study of w..."
...In other words, not only their technical ability, but whether they have good written and oral communication skills (Evans and Kebbell 2012)....
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TL;DR: Intelligence-led policing (ILP) is a managerial law enforcement model that seeks to place crime intelligence at the forefront of decision-making as mentioned in this paper, and it has been widely adopted, at least notionally.
Abstract: Intelligence-led policing (ILP) is a managerial law enforcement model that seeks to place crime intelligence at the forefront of decision-making. This model has been widely adopted, at least notion...
24 citations
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Book•
01 Jan 1955
TL;DR: In this paper, a reissue of George Kelly's classic work Personal Construct Psychology (PCP) is presented. And the implications of PCP for clinical practice are discussed. But the authors do not discuss the authorship of the book.
Abstract: First published in 1992. Unavailable for many years this is a reissue of George Kelly's classic work. It is the bible of personal construct psychology written by its founder. The first volume presents the theory of personal construct psychology and the second volume shows the implications for clinical practice.
9,065 citations
8,493 citations
"The effective analyst: a study of w..." refers methods in this paper
...This technique was developed by Flanagan (1954) and provides an opportunity to examine situations where skills and abilities are being utilised and can then capture these skills and abilities to establish what is essential for effective performance in the role....
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TL;DR: There is a distinct tradition in the literature on social science research methods that advocates the use of multiple methods as mentioned in this paper, which is usually described as one of convergent methodology, multimethod/multitrait (Campbell and Fiske, 1959), convergent validation or, what has been called "triangulation".
Abstract: December 1979, volume 24 There is a distinct tradition in the literature on social science research methods that advocates the use of multiple methods. This form of research strategy is usually described as one of convergent methodology, multimethod/multitrait (Campbell and Fiske, 1959), convergent validation or, what has been called "triangulation" (Webb et al., 1 966). These various notions share the conception that qualitative and quantitative methods should be viewed as complementary rather than as rival camps. In fact, most textbooks underscore the desirability of mixing methods given the strengths and weaknesses found in single method designs.
7,449 citations
"The effective analyst: a study of w..." refers methods in this paper
...Using multiple data collection techniques heightens the likelihood of identifying the key skills and abilities to be an effective analyst (Jick 1979)....
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Book•
01 Jan 1999
TL;DR: This article reviewed cognitive psychology literature concerning how people process information to make judgments on incomplete and ambiguous information and selected the experiments and findings that seem most relevant to intelligence analysis and most in need of communication to intelligence analysts.
Abstract: : This volume pulls together and republishes, with some editing, updating, and additions, articles written during 1978-86 for internal use within the CIA Directorate of Intelligence. Four of the articles also appeared in the Intelligence Community journal Studies in Intelligence during that time frame. The information is relatively timeless and still relevant to the never-ending quest for better analysis. The articles are based on reviewing cognitive psychology literature concerning how people process information to make judgments on incomplete and ambiguous information. I selected the experiments and findings that seem most relevant to intelligence analysis and most in need of communication to intelligence analysts. I then translated the technical reports into language that intelligence analysts can understand and interpreted the relevance of these findings to the problems intelligence analysts face. The result is a compromise that may not be wholly satisfactory to either research psychologists or intelligence analysts. Cognitive psychologists and decision analysts may complain of oversimplification, while the non-psychologist reader may have to absorb some new terminology. Unfortunately, mental processes are so complex that discussion of them does require some specialized vocabulary.
796 citations
"The effective analyst: a study of w..." refers background in this paper
...Heuer (1999) identified the need to revise selection and retention criteria of analysts to improve analysis; more recently, Sir *Corresponding author....
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TL;DR: Graycar et al. as mentioned in this paper provide an introduction to intelligence-led policing and discuss some of the related limitations and opportunities, but there is still a lack of clarity among many in law enforcement as to what intelligence led policing is, what it aims to achieve and how it is supposed to operate.
Abstract: This paper is timely, given that policing is currently going through a period of significant change in both operational tactics and organisational structures. New ideas in crime reduction and changes to short- and long-term policing strategies are underway. Intelligence-led policing represents a recent approach and is one of the more prevalent of the current "shifts in crime control philosophy and policing practice" (Maguire 2000). Surprisingly, given the wide distribution of the term "intelligence-led policing", considerable confusion remains in regard to its actual meaning to both front-line officers and police management. This paper provides an introduction to intelligence-led policing and discusses some of the related limitations and opportunities. Adam Graycar Director Since the 1990s, "intelligence-led policing" (also known as intelligence-driven policing") has entered the lexicon of modern policing, especially in the UK and more recently Australia. Yet even with the ability of new ideas and innovation to spread throughout the policing world at the click of a mouse, there is still a lack of clarity among many in law enforcement as to what intelligence-led policing is, what it aims to achieve, and how it is supposed to operate. This can be seen in recent inspection reports of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) in the UK (HMIC 2001, 2002), and in the lack of clarity regarding intelligence-led policing in the United States. A recent summit in March 2002 of over 120 criminal intelligence experts from across the US, funded by the US government and organised by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, may become a turning point in policing within the US. The participants called for a National Intelligence Plan, with one of the core recommendations being to "promote intelligence-led policing through a common understanding of criminal intelligence and its usefulness" (IACP 2002, p. v). The aspirations of the summit are considerable, but what is unclear from the summit report is a sound understanding of the aims of intelligence-led policing and its relationship to crime reduction. As intelligence-led policing is now a term in common usage within Australian law enforcement (a search of web pages and media releases found the term "intelligence-led" in all Australian police sites and the web site of the new Australian Crime Commission), it is timely to consider the origins of intelligence-led policing, the crime reduction levers it aims to pull, and the limitations and possibilities for this type of operational practice. Origins of Intelligence-led Policing Intelligence-led policing entered the police lexicon at some time around the early 1990s. As Gill (1998) has noted, the origins of intelligence-led policing are a little indistinct, but the earliest references to it originate in the UK where a seemingly inexorable rise in crime during the late 1980s and early 1990s coincided with increasing calls for police to be more effective and to be more cost-efficient. The driving forces for this move to a new strategy were both external and internal to policing. External drivers included an inability of the traditional, reactive model of policing to cope with the rapid changes in globalisation which have increased opportunities for transnational organised crime and removed physical and technological barriers across the policing domain. In the new "risk society" (Ericson & Haggerty 1997) the police were seen as the source of risk management data for a range of external institutions. With such an influence beyond the boundaries of law enforcement, it was never going to be long before the "new public management" drive to increase efficiency in public agencies reached the police. At the same time there was an internal recognition that changes were taking place in the dynamic relationship between the private security industry and the public police. …
562 citations