Introduction
Being a police officer is demanding within and in a broader socio-political context. Almost every workday is a test of intellectual and physical abilities. Global discontent with the police as a systemic institution is also growing in many societies and countries due to reasons ranging from ineffective resource allocation to disinformation campaigns against law enforcement workers. Applying evidence-based conceptual models to one’s professional field can improve their workflow, performance, and public perception, benefiting them and their organization. The application of Sherman’s Triple-T of evidence-based policing to the job duties of a Ministry of Interior police officer in the United Arab Emirates will be discussed and explained here.
Targeting
One of the benefits of Sherman’s Triple-T is that, when applied to one’s job routine, it helps police officers practically focus their efforts. As the methodology creator states, “The breakthrough of the strategy is the injunction to first look for patterns” (Sherman, 2013, p. 13). When the frequency of violent crime is abnormally high in a particular area, the responsible officers should develop several implementable strategies with their colleagues to make the area safer for law-abiding civilians.
Moreover, the principle of targeting encourages law enforcement workers to act”proactively” (Sherman, 2013, p. 13). For example, if a community is suffering from teenage vandalism, it should propose realistic ways of communicating and cooperating with low-income family units rather than catching delinquents. Targeting as a principle advises police officers to prioritize seemingly solvable cases and investments (Sherman, 2013). Approaching socio-criminal problems that seem more resolvable first results in a more positive and safer social climate.
Testing
Sherman’s second principle in his explanatory article is ‘testing.’ He states, “Once police choose their high-priority targets, they should review or conduct tests of police methods to help choose what works best to reduce harm” (Sherman, 2013, p. 7). To paraphrase, once a proactive team has theorized, formulated, and adjusted a set of necessary measures, these must be implemented in a systematic, research-like manner. It is the only way to identify solutions with the most optimal outcome for the police institution and civil society.
Tracking
‘Tracking’ in Triple T should be understood in a semi-literal sense by one. This word, in the context of the discussed concept, implies the analysis of data that will go to the police institution after the testing phase. It is the stage where police officers need to apply their basic scholarly research skills to understand the effects of their new measures on all critical levels (Sherman, 2013). It will reveal what produces benefit and harm and what has closer-to-zero effect.
Conclusion
As one can see, the Triple-T model can be interpreted as a combination of conventional research design and evidence-based methodology. There is targeting, which combines sampling procedure and data collection, and testing, an intervention. Tracking consists of raw data analysis, inferences formulation, and new knowledge synthesis. Approaching problem-solving in policing as an academic study is what the principles of the discussed strategy are trying to convey.
Reference
Sherman, L. W. (2013). The rise of evidence-based policing: Targeting, testing, and tracking. Crime and Justice in America 1975-2025, 42(1), 1–75. Web.