The Crime Analysis Unit Development Center

If you've been poking around the IACA web site lately, you may have noticed a new feature: the Crime Analysis Unit Development Center (CAUDC).


The CAUDC represents a year's worth of work by three dedicated IACA members--Kirkland, Washington crime analyst Kristina Shull; Redmond, Washington crime analyst Craig Werre; and IACA Technology Director Jim Mallard--plus the many of you who contributed examples, products, and profiles. This comprehensive resource is meant for crime analysis units at all stages of development, from those agencies wondering "what is crime analysis?" to experienced analysts looking for training, literature, or a new job. Its features answer many of the common questions that agencies ask when developing a crime analysis program, including:

• How many analysts does my department need?
• What should the job posting include?
• Where should we advertise the position?
• What questions should we ask candidates during the interviews?
• What types of products should our analysts issue?
• How do we measure analytical performance?

Among the most enjoyable features of the CAUDC are the profiles located under the "Meet an Analyst!" link. These profiles offer practical insights into the day-to-day realities of crime analysis and serve as an invaluable resource for police administrators, students, and anyone unfamiliar with a crime analyst's job.



We unveiled the CAUDC at the IACP conference in October, but we have been making incremental updates and improvements since then. We believe it is now ready for widespread dissemination and use. Do you know an agency looking to develop a crime analysis capability? Point them to the CAUDC! Are you looking to improve your own skills and processes? Check out the resources for ideas and guidelines.

Most important, please give us your feedback on the CAUDC. We want to know what is and is not useful--and what your ideas are for improving this resource. You can use the IACA contact form or send an e-mail to caudc@iaca.net.

I am confident that the CAUDC represents a major step forward for the IACA and the crime analysis profession, and I hope you'll join me in thanking Kristina, Craig, and Jim for the extraordinary effort they made in assembling these resources and designing the site.

Sincerely,

Christopher W. Bruce
President
International Association of Crime Analysts

IACA at IACP

This week, the IACA is exhibiting at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference in Orlando, Florida. It is our fourth year at IACP and by far the most productive. Hundreds of police chiefs have visited our booth and received material they need to start or augment their crime analysis capabilities. Many of your chiefs have stopped by to compliment your work and ensure that you are members of the association. Delegations from several nations have expressed interest in IACA training and group memberships (there are huge delegations from Nigeria, Brazil, the Bahamas, and several other countries). Several universities and nonprofit associations have talked to us about mutually beneficial partnerships. Now, in the last hours, our literature and promotional materials have dwindled dangerously (which, of course, is mostly a good thing).

We can credit the success of this year's exhibit to a number of factors:

1. This year, we unveiled a new exhibit, featuring panels depicting the crime analysis process in action, an electronic display, and games. IACA Vice President Susan Smith and IACA Secretary Dawn Clausius worked hard to select a modular, professional exhibit that fit within our limited budget.

2. We have twice the amount of exhibit space this year as normal--and a great location! On a corner near the entrance, with enough room for a golf mat, a plinko board, and a round table, we have created an open an inviting place for attendees to stop and chat.

3. This year, IACA Technology Director Jim Mallard and Lincoln, Nebraska Police Chief Tom Casady (who is helping to staff our exhibit) provided a Chief Executive Track workshop on predictive policing, emphasizing the role of good crime analysis. This presentation has already received a fantastic write-up on the PoliceOne blog.

4. We are regaling chiefs and other executives with our Crime Analysis Unit Development Center, a new section of our web site that, with text and samples, walks police agencies through the process of implementing, staffing, using, and advancing crime analysis. IACA members Kristina Shull (Kirkland, Washington) and Craig Werre (Redmond, Washington) have assembled this material over the last year, and we expect that it will be the most heavily-trafficked section of the new site (rolling out this week).

5. IACA member Debra Piehl is with us, representing both the IACA and the Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTS) program, in which the IACA is a national partner. DDACTS is directly promoting the use of crime analysis in police agencies and increasing the need for new analysts.

5. We have a well-staffed exhibit this year, with at least four IACA members at any time. These staff members--Susan, Dawn, Jim, Deb, Tom, Vice President Ericka Jackson, and Treasurer Tamara Otley--have been simply excellent, drawing in visitors with our games and give-aways, engaging them in conversations about analysis, demonstrating the new web resources, and sending them away with our literature.

I thank all of the IACA members listed above who have been instrumental in making this year's exhibit a success, particularly Susan for organizing all of the logistics for our appearance

Exhibiting at the IACP conference is expensive for the association, but we believe that the benefits are worth the cost. These include increased membership, increased conference and training attendance (and not just for us; we've been directing many visitors to regional associations), increased visibility for the IACA (which translates into inclusion on national and international projects and programs), and--indirectly but still surely--increased status for the profession, which ultimately translates to better pay and working conditions for analysts, and better use of the work that they do.

Christopher W. Bruce
President
International Association of Crime Analysts

The IACA's Most Successful Conference

Many of us are returning from what appears, by most measures, to be the most successful conference in IACA history. To recap some highlights:

• The conference was a joint effort between the IACA and the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. This brought the IACA to the attention of numerous police executives, government officials, and researchers who were unaware or only vaguely aware of us before. We have received 20 new membership applications in the past week.
• The conference featured a record-breaking 811 registrants. Our previous record was 343, set in 2007. You might argue that the 2010 figure is a bit artificial, considering the POP partnership, but even without the POP attendees, we beat the previous record with around 355.
• Preliminary evaluations from both POP and IACA attendees have been very positive as to the quality of the training and the wisdom of the partnership. The POP Center is already talking to us about future joint conferences.
• Although POP is the larger organization, we were able to hold this joint conference without sacrificing the various features that make IACA conferences memorable, including our reception (complete with karaoke), networking events, computer lab training, exhibitors, awards, and prizes.
• The final financial accounting has not been completed, but a preliminary review suggests it will be our most financially successful conference, too.

We are still tabulating reviews, but if you attended the conference, I would welcome your written feedback as to how it went, particularly if you have any critical comments about the IACA/POP partnership. Don’t let me assume that everything was just peachy if you had concerns or problems that I did not see.

Dave McClocklin's staggering "Best Analytical Chart" winner.

While I’m writing, let me take a moment to congratulate Membership Award winner Tess Sherman, Board Award winner Carolyn Cassidy, President’s Award winner Debra Piehl, and the first-place winners of this year’s bulletin contest: Michael Winslow, David McClocklin, Scott Peacock, Dana Muskova, and the Onondaga Crime Analysis Center in Syracuse, NY. Their contributions were truly staggering. I would also congratulate the Colorado Springs Police Department for winning this year’s Goldstein Award for their homeless outreach initiative.

The IACA Board presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dallas Police Lt. Mark Stallo, past IACA president

  

We owe the success of this conference primarily to its chair, Carolyn Cassidy, and her excellent committee: Stephanie Beach, Mary Craige, Julie Garriety, Mary Kirkwood, and Allison Mayer, who had to not only run a much larger, more elaborate IACA conference than normal, but also had to effectively work with two other organizations. Fortunately, the representatives from those organizations, Nancy Leach of the POP Center and the men and women of the Arlington Police Department, were unparalleled in their professionalism. The APD provided constant staffing during the conference and I heard numerous remarks as to their courtesy and helpfulness. I would also thank my counterpart at the POP Center, director Michael Scott, keynotes Darrel Stephens and Rana Sampson, our various sponsors, all of the excellent presenters this year, and of course the IACA Board.

I know you’ll have more follow-ups concerning presentations, evaluations, and other details from Carolyn. From now, I’ll just say that this last year has brought the IACA to a higher level of complexity, but also a higher level of value. The 2010 conference established a tough new standard for future conferences to follow, but I am confident that our 2011 conference (as we join with the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts on Cape Cod from September 19-23, 2011, chaired by Mary Craige) will be even more successful.

Time to shake off the P.C.D.* and start planning for next year!

Best wishes,

Christopher W. Bruce

President

International Association of Crime Analysts

*Post-Conference Depression. You thought you were the only one?