Translational Criminology in Policing

Abstract

Many have argued that policing practice is more frequently derived from individual, professional experiences than empirical knowledge regarding “what works.” As a result, recent decades have seen a growing push for evidence-based policing. Increasingly often, calls for evidence-based policing focus on the availability of evidence alone, rather than addressing the question of whether existing evidence is actually implemented within police organizations. Yet, it is this stage of evidence translation, rather than generation, that poses the greatest challenge to evidence-based policing today (Lum & Koper, 2017). Translational criminology seeks to address these challenges by following evidence across its lifecycle, focusing on both the production of empirical evidence and its implementation into practice. This chapter introduces translational criminology's key concepts by reviewing their implications in policing. Through this endeavor, the chapter arms readers with unique insights and broad recommendations that prepare them to effectively engage with the remainder of this volume.

Topics & Concepts