Which policing approach relies on policies and crime-fighting strategies grounded in scientific research?

• A. Evidence-based policing
• B. Community policing
• C. Problem-oriented policing
• D. Intelligence-led policing

Answer: (A)

The main idea is using solid research to guide police decisions. Evidence-based policing means that policies and crime-fighting tactics are chosen and refined based on rigorous data, evaluations, and findings from scientific studies. It involves collecting and analyzing crime data, conducting or referencing studies (sometimes controlled evaluations) to see what actually reduces crime, and then implementing those proven methods while adjusting as new evidence emerges.

This approach contrasts with relying on intuition, tradition, or anecdote alone, and it differs from community policing, which emphasizes building trust and partnerships with the community; problem-oriented policing, which focuses on analyzing and addressing specific underlying problems; and intelligence-led policing, which centers on using intelligence to target offenders and threats.