Hickory Police

Police and Community Statistics (PACSTAT)

Following several years of successful experimentation in he Ridgeview Community, in April of 1994, the Hickory Police Department implemented citywide - department wide Community Oriented Policing (COP). COP involves both forming partnerships with customers and problem solving.

Problem Oriented Policing (POP), also known as Problem Solving Policing, was implemented in January 1996. POP is a formal problem solving process in which all officers are required to participate. Increased success in solving community problems has been achieved through POP.

The two goals of COP are to reduce the fear of crime and to reduce calls for service (CFS) or the workload demand on HPD. In the three years prior to COP, calls for service increased an average of 5.8%. In the three years since implementation of Community Oriented Policing, CFS has increased 2.5 %, a reduction of the increase of CFS by 57%.

COP and POP are tools available to HPD officers, which enables them to more effectively address community issues. However, while problem solving has improved, leadership provided by middle management in the problem solving process has not improved.

Police and Community Statistics was implemented in April 1998 to enhance P.A.C.T. Commander’s ability to manage, focus and direct the problem solving process. PACSTAT is an initiative for timely dissemination of computerized crime and disorder statistics to P.A.C.T Commanders who are held accountable for addressing these issues.

PACSTAT has both internal and external benefits. An increase in usable information available to P.A.C.T commanders is one of the immediate advantages of PACSTAT. All areas within the police department benefit from this increased availability of information. PACSTAT enhances problem solving because it highlights where and when problems are occurring. Therefore, P.A.C.T Commanders can focus their problem solving efforts and available resources when and where they are most needed.

Utilizing PACSTAT, issues of crime and disorder are more effectively addressed. While major crime across the United States and in Hickory has decreased in recent years, we have found many citizens believe crime is increasing. This is due in part to issues of disorder such as loitering, neighborhood noise and even littering. Therefore, PACSTAT not only focuses on major crime, but also provides information on issues of disorder. Additionally, HPD decided to use PACSTAT to address some internal concerns. Compensatory time and officer vehicle crashes are closely monitored.

Each week computer generated PACSTAT reports are provided to P.A.C.T Commanders. Attendance is mandatory for P.A.C.T. Commanders and supervisors of specialized functions such as Criminal Investigations, Traffic Safety and Telecommunications. At each meeting, P.A.C.T Commanders are selected to make oral presentations. Presentations cover issues raised in the PACSTAT report and specific ways these concerns are being addressed. A feedback report is provided to the presenting P.A.C.T Commanders from senior management staff.