Want to build a cost-effective police force? Here are some research-based tactics   

Mobile policing = Cost savings

Traditional investigative processes often involve multiple trips to and from the police station, not only by officers but also by witnesses and suspects. This can result in scheduling challenges, potential contamination of witness memories, and increased operational costs. 

Mobile recording solutions can significantly reduce these costs by allowing officers to conduct interviews and gather evidence directly at the scene. With mobile and portable devices, officers can stay in the field longer, reducing the need for witnesses or suspects to travel to police stations and minimising associated expenses. 

High-quality evidence on the spot 

Mobile and portable recording devices capture high-quality audio and video at the scene, preserving crucial details and speeding up the investigative process. Equipping officers with the right tools to complete documentation and collect evidence in the field leads to significant savings in time and resources. By cutting down on transportation and administrative tasks, forces can reallocate their time to focus on core policing activities. 

Streamlining administrative workloads 

Policing involves a substantial amount of administrative tasks that can take time away from core investigative work. From handling evidence and transcribing interviews to completing reports and managing case files, these routine duties can create a heavy burden on officers. In many instances, a significant portion of an officer’s time is spent on these tasks rather than being on the frontline, which can reduce overall productivity and increase operational costs. 

Challenge: High administrative burdens 

The time required to transcribe interviews manually or to manage evidence logistics—like transporting, cataloguing, and sharing data—can be considerable. A 2018 review from the Norwegian police highlighted that 11% of an officer’s working time is spent on tasks like report writing and completing paperwork for criminal cases. This not only extends the time taken to conclude cases but also creates bottlenecks in investigations, slowing down the entire process. The administrative load can also lead to backlogs, making it harder to provide timely service to the public. 

Solution: Automation and data integration 

Automation technologies and better data integration systems can address these challenges. Automated transcription services quickly convert audio recordings of interviews into written documents, saving hours that would otherwise be spent typing. For instance, instead of officers manually transcribing an hour-long interview, an automated system can do the job in minutes, with officers needing only to review the final text for accuracy.  

Benefits: Enhanced efficiency and reduced costs 

By digitalising and automating these processes, police forces can save significant time and resources. Digital solutions can provide first-draft report generation, reducing the time officers need to spend on routine paperwork. Additionally, automated evidence management systems can track chain of custody with precision, ensuring that evidence remains secure and accessible while reducing the need for manual logging and transportation. 

Furthermore, integrating advanced data management systems enables better synching between different platforms, allowing for easy data sharing across departments. For example, using secure, modern solutions, evidence collected in the field can be uploaded and accessed remotely, allowing for real-time updates and collaboration without the need for officers to return to the station. 

The value of ethical interviewing techniques 

Effective interviewing methods can bring significant cost savings. The latest research has shown that rapport-based approaches, such as the ORBIT framework, can be particularly valuable when interviewing suspects, witnesses and victims. While ORBIT is one successful example, other ethical investigative interviewing methods also focus on building trust and cooperation rather than using confrontational tactics. 

Cost savings with rapport-based interviews 

These techniques increase the likelihood of gathering high-quality, case-strengthening information, which can lead to faster case resolutions and reduce the need for lengthy trials. In particular, adaptive strategies—like showing empathy and allowing suspects to reflect on their actions—proved to increase the quality and quantity of gathered information and lead to better outcomes for investigations. 

By adopting these approaches, police forces not only improve the effectiveness of their interviews but also achieve long-term cost savings, enhancing the overall efficiency of their investigations. 

Numerical evidence: The impact of rapport-based approaches 

Research highlights the significant advantages of rapport-based interviewing over more coersive techniques. In studies focusing on cases like child sexual abuse (CSA), interviews conducted using the ORBIT framework gathered up to 35% more case-strengthening information compared to traditional methods. This information can include crucial details such as passwords, locations of devices, and insights into additional suspects or victims. Ethical interviewing methodologies not only contribute to better investigative outcomes but also represent a strategic opportunity for police forces to achieve significant cost savings.  

Conclusion 

The path to a more cost-effective police force involves leveraging new technologies, embracing innovative interviewing techniques, and automating administrative tasks. By doing so, law enforcement agencies can maximise their resources, ensure data integrity, and improve their response to an ever-changing crime landscape. With the right tools and methodologies, police forces can continue to serve their communities effectively while staying mindful of their budgets.