Sameer Hinduja and Joseph A. Schafer
The purpose of this paper is to quantify the number of cybercrime units that are on the world wide web and the manner in which they represent themselves, and to clarify how they…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to quantify the number of cybercrime units that are on the world wide web and the manner in which they represent themselves, and to clarify how they are communicating information to their constituency (i.e. the visitors to their site) through new technology.
Design/methodology/approach
There is no sampling frame that serves as an exhaustive list of law enforcement departments with web sites, nor law enforcement departments with computer crime units, nor law enforcement departments with cybercrime unit web sites. As such, the world wide web was combed using popular search engines to find as many US‐based cybercrime unit web sites as possible. The final sample size was 88.
Findings
The findings suggest that though cybercrime units across the USA typically have similar missions (e.g. to respond to one or more forms of computer crime), they used their self‐representing web site in different ways. Beyond providing basic contact information and details about the cybercrime unit, web sites varied considerably in the depth and nature of their content. Units largely utilized these sites to simply exist on the world wide web. It was also unclear whether the sites actually fostered two‐way communication between agencies and their constituents. Sites also placed an emphasis on providing information that visitors might use to reduce their vulnerability to victimization through educational efforts.
Research limitations/implications
The sites in the sample all sought to inform their constituencies about the existence of the cybercrime unit they represent and the services they render, and to provide basic contact information. They seemingly differed, though, in the main intent and purpose of their site – which introduced variability in terms of the delivery of their content. Furthermore, disparities in available resources likely dictated the quality and depth of information presented on these sites.
Practical implications
This work assesses the current state of law enforcement information delivery over the world wide web, and also informs best practices in quality, depth, and comprehensiveness of that information delivery. This can then be used by law enforcement departments who have a cybercrime unit web site to improve its current state and fine‐tune communications and information dissemination efforts.
Originality/value
This is the first assessment of the world wide web presences of US law enforcement cybercrime units and contributes to the knowledgebase associated with agency communication with external entities.
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David Lilley and Sameer Hinduja
Purpose – The purpose of this research is to compare traditional and community policing agencies with regard to how individual officers are formally evaluated and to assess…
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this research is to compare traditional and community policing agencies with regard to how individual officers are formally evaluated and to assess organizational goals and objectives in each type of agency. Design/methodology/approach – A 75‐item questionnaire was mailed to 600 municipal and county law enforcement agencies. A total of 11 hypotheses were tested regarding performance evaluation content, the values of police supervisors and organizational objectives. Findings – Community policing agencies have added new output measures but continue to value enforcement statistics as much as their more traditional counterparts. Additionally, many community policing agencies have not updated their formal systems to incorporate community policing concepts. Research limitations/implications – Survey responses were obtained from only one supervisor per agency and the knowledge of each individual was varied. However, if supervisors from traditional and community policing agencies are equally competent, results should be unbiased. Further research is needed to assess the reasons why many agencies have not updated their formal evaluation systems to incorporate community policing concepts. Practical implications – There may be a conflict between police supervisor values and formal evaluation procedures in many community policing agencies. Further assistance or guidance may be needed to aid police administrators in updating and improving their formal systems of officer performance evaluation. Originality/value – This is the first nationwide assessment of police officer performance evaluation during the community policing era.
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As computer and Internet‐related crimes continue to increase in prevalence and scope, some law enforcement agencies have developed specialized task forces to address the issue…
Abstract
As computer and Internet‐related crimes continue to increase in prevalence and scope, some law enforcement agencies have developed specialized task forces to address the issue. Because of the relative newness of high‐tech deviance, however, it is not clear how to best proceed with the efficient, productive, and strategic allocation of resources, the provision of assistance to other departments, and the general development of policy. Research on a national level has provided some insight as to the requirements of law enforcement in dealing with computer crime, and has suggested deeper inquiry on a state and local level. Accordingly, survey research was conducted across Michigan to empirically assess the needs of state and local law enforcement resulting from the commission of these offenses. Some questions addressed the types of computer crimes most frequently encountered, the extent of training received, and the specific types of formal instruction desired by personnel to increase proficiency in investigations. It is hoped that the results will provide a basis of comparison to the national findings, and serve as an instructional tool for other agencies in other states and even other countries in their efforts to shape and direct fruitful computer crime control initiatives.
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The purpose of this study is to examine the perceived needs of local law enforcement investigating crimes characterized by a cyber component.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the perceived needs of local law enforcement investigating crimes characterized by a cyber component.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 263 surveys were mailed to local law enforcement from across the state of North Carolina. Responses were received from 127 agencies – municipal police departments and county sheriffs' offices – comprising 71 of 100 North Carolina counties being represented.
Findings
Results indicate that local law enforcement continues to lack adequate training, personnel, and equipment to investigate crimes with a cyber component. Additionally, perceived levels of preparation and police agency size are positively related. Data also confirm a significant association between an agency's jurisdiction population size and the number of investigations for these crimes.
Research limitations/implications
In a snapshot manner, this study solely examines the perceived investigative needs of law enforcement in the state of North Carolina. Additional data is needed to determine not only the prevalence of computer‐related crimes in other jurisdictions, but levels of preparedness. The lack of a universal definition of computer crime has implications on the data within as they are often estimated or perceived by respondents.
Practical implications
With numerous issues in need of attention, leadership from both government and law enforcement must begin to recognize the problems associated with computers and crime to effectively implement strategies that will enhance computer crime control.
Originality/value
This study is valuable as prior studies have largely been conducted at the national level and have predominantly discounted smaller agencies from their research. This research adds empirical evidence to the issue of law enforcement preparedness in investigating crimes with a cyber component.