Smart Police Officers: The End Game
Lowell Police Department
Deputy Superintendent Arthur Ryan Jr.
December 4, 2012
Smart Policing

Building evidence-based, data-driven law enforcement tactics
and strategies that are effective, efficient, and economical.

Utilizing police-researcher partnerships, improved utilization of
data and intelligence, and organizational change.

Utilizing innovative place-based and offender-based strategies
with a focus on sustainability.
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What is a Smart Police Officer?
“An officer that has the ability to utilize
technology, training and experience to address
crime, disorder and the quality of life by
employing effective evidence based strategies
with support from, but with minimal direction
from command.”
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Why Develop “Smart” Police Officers

Sustainability requires a departmental commitment.

Smart Policing must be a part of the everyday philosophy of the
officers and supervisors in the neighborhoods.

Working from the experience of institutionalizing “Community
Policing,” success in creating an organization that embraces Smart
Policing can only achieve lasting benefit by encouraging and
developing Smart Policing strategies where they have the greatest
impact- On the Front Line
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How does a Department develop
Smart Police Officers?
Four Main Areas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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Training
Organizational Support
Technology
Information Sharing
1. Training
Recruit/Academy Training
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1. Training (continued)
Ongoing training



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In-service
Roll Call
Informal
2. Organizational Support

Develop policies and procedures to facilitate the additional
empowerment of the individual officer.

Adjust the reporting and control mechanisms to assess the
strategies employed. Continuously reassess those strategies to
ensure the best and most effective responses are utilized.

Procure the proper tools to facilitate the information flow to and
from the officer to allow for near real-time analysis of patterns
and trends.

Establish long term partnerships with local academic institutions to
assist in researching and evaluating strategies.
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2. Organizational Support (continued)

Provide for a supervisory structure that supports the
concepts, ensuring that all within the organization
recognize and support the program.

Smart Police Officers
become Smart Supervisors

Continuously Monitor
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3. Technology Changes

Change the Crime Analysis function from one of
“Command Support” to one of “Officer Support”.

The iPad Initiative
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3. Technology Changes (continued)

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DHQ – Internal Website
4. Information Sharing

DHQ (internal website)

Safety First Meetings

Compstat

Partnerships
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4. Information Sharing (continued)
Safety First Meetings
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4. Information Sharing (continued)

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Compstat
4. Information Sharing (continued)
Partnerships
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
Lowell Youth Development Collaborative

Greater Lowell Reentry Initiative

Massachusetts Major City Chiefs

City Manager’s Domestic Violence Task Force
Smart Policing Scenarios
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Pause to “THINK”

What changes must your
department consider to support line
officers?

What institutions can you connect
with to develop academic research
partners?

How can you insert Smart Policing
practices into your training plan?
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Challenges

Officer Resistance/Hesitance


Technology


Delays in implementation; does not always work as planned
Timing

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It is just another project (hot topic of the day)
Realizing that changes take time and will not happen overnight
Questions / Comments
The Lowell Police Department Presentation Team
Deputy Superintendent Arthur Ryan
Captain Kelly Richardson
Patrol Officer Erin Byrne
Maryann Ballotta, Director of Research and Development
Contact Information
DS Arthur H. Ryan, Jr.
Lowell Police Department
[email protected]
978-674-4500
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