Which term describes a policing approach that uses research and data to guide strategies?

• A. Foot patrol
• B. Hot spot
• C. Directed patrol
• D. Evidence-based policing

Answer: (D)

Evidence-based policing uses research and data to guide strategies. Decisions about where to deploy officers, which tactics to use, and how to measure success are grounded in empirical findings, program evaluations, and routine data analysis. This approach helps agencies test interventions, monitor outcomes, and adjust practices based on what the evidence shows works, rather than relying on intuition or tradition alone. Foot patrol describes officers walking a beat to maintain a visible presence. Hot spots focus resources on locations with higher crime but don’t inherently require data-driven evaluation. Directed patrol targets specific times or places but emphasizes targeting rather than the systematic use of research to shape policy. Therefore, the term that describes using research and data to guide strategies is evidence-based policing.