Designing, Implementing, & Evaluating Comprehensive Models

Project summary for 2000-IJ-CX-K003 The attention of the police profession has turned to the development of comprehensive systems of performance management because of their powerful potential to improve effectiveness and efficiency. However, despite the revolutionizing power of comprehensive accountability systems, little has been done in the way of either practice or research. To respond to this deficiency, PERF proposes to partner with two police departments - the Colorado Springs, Colorado Police Department and the Lowell, Massachusetts Police Department - to develop, implement, and evaluate model police performance measurement systems. These comprehensive systems will measure what matters, and link those measures to mechanisms of internal and external accountability. The project has three goals: 1. To develop model accountability systems in the two demonstration sites; 2. To document both the process and impact of system implementation; and 3. To promote knowledge and awareness of police accountability systems. The two demonstration sites will benefit from this project because their own capabilities will be supplemented by subject matter experts to produce state-of-the-art performance management systems. To extend benefits to the profession, PERF will produce a guidebook informed by the process and outcome evaluations, targeted to practitioners who want to implement comprehensive accountability systems in their agencies.