Devin Cowan, Christina Burton and William Moreto
The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of interpersonal relations on the implementation of an intelligence-led initiative within a rural, conservation setting.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of interpersonal relations on the implementation of an intelligence-led initiative within a rural, conservation setting.
Design/methodology/approach
The data for this study are gathered from semi-structured interviews (n = 79) and field observations within five study sites that are managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Findings
The findings suggest that while law enforcement and community conservation rangers viewed intelligence operations to be necessary, there was general discontent and distrust toward intelligence rangers. This was largely due to the actuarial and perceived activities, roles and responsibilities of intelligence rangers and the belief that intelligence rangers reflected more of an internal affairs unit rather than one focused on intelligence gathering.
Research limitations/implications
The credibility of the data provided by respondents can be called into question; however, extensive efforts were made to establish rapport to help alleviate these hazards.
Practical implications
Findings from the current study highlight the importance of considering and managing interpersonal relations when implementing intelligence-led initiatives.
Originality/value
The current study is unique in that it examines crime in a non-traditional setting (a developing country, Uganda), with a non-traditional crime type (wildlife crime). Additionally, literature examining the impact of interpersonal relations on intelligence-led policing is limited.
Details
Keywords
James R. DeLisle, Terry V. Grissom and Brent Never
The purpose of this study is to explore spatiotemporal factors that affect the empirical analysis of whether crime rates in buffer areas surrounding abandoned properties…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore spatiotemporal factors that affect the empirical analysis of whether crime rates in buffer areas surrounding abandoned properties transferred to a Land Bank that differed among three regimes: before transfer, during Land Bank stewardship and after disposition and whether those differences were associated with differences in relative crime activity in the neighborhoods in which they were located.
Design/methodology/approach
This study analyzed crime incidents occurring between 2010 and 2018 in 0.1-mile buffer areas surrounding 31 abandoned properties sold by the Land Bank and their neighborhoods in which those properties were located. Using Copulas, researchers compared concordance/discordance in the buffer areas across the three regime states for each property and approximately matched time periods for associated neighborhoods.
Findings
In a substantial number of cases, the relative crime activity levels for buffer areas surrounding individual sold properties as measured by the Copulas shifted from concordant to discordant states and vice versa. Similarly, relative crime activity levels for neighborhoods shifted from concordant to discordant states across three matched regimes. In some cases, the property and neighborhood states matched, while in other cases they diverged. These cross-level interactions indicate that criminal behavioral patterns and target selection change over time and relative criminal activity. The introduction of Copulas can improve the reliability of such models over time and when and where they should be customized to add more granular insights needed by law enforcement agencies.
Research limitations/implications
The introduction of Copulas can improve the spatiotemporal reliability of the analysis of criminal activity over space and time.
Practical implications
Spatiotemporal considerations should be incorporated in setting interventions to manage criminal activity.
Social implications
This study provides support for policies supporting renovation of abandoned properties.
Originality/value
To the best of authors’ knowledge, this research is the first application of Copulas to crime impact studies. As noted, Copulas can help reduce the risk of applying intervention or enforcement programs that are no longer reliable or lack the precision provided by insights into convergent/divergent patterns of criminal activity.
Details
Keywords
Both practitioners and scholars recognize that school resource officers (SROs) need specialized training for their positions. However, research into SRO training is limited, and…
Abstract
Purpose
Both practitioners and scholars recognize that school resource officers (SROs) need specialized training for their positions. However, research into SRO training is limited, and thus, little is known surrounding the content and effectiveness of available training. This study aimed to explore SRO training in a Florida school district.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative data collection included participant observations of five required trainings and interviews with SROs and their supervisors (n = 43). Qualitative description and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data.
Findings
Descriptions of training content and facilitation are provided. Three themes were identified conveying problems with the training including an inefficient use of training time, lack of participant engagement and an omission of topics critical to the SRO position. The findings suggest that SRO programs need to consider the time devoted to training, the needs of their SROs and expectations for training.
Originality/value
This is the first study using both field research and interviews to investigate the underexplored topic of SRO training.