From the aspirational to the tangible: Mapping key performance indicators in Australian policing

Abstract

Police performance is particularly difficult to measure. Most police agencies tend to rely on traditional metrics of effectiveness (such as crime statistics and public surveys) which are recognised as being problematic by researchers and policing authorities. Policing too has shifted in recent times with a move away from reactive policing approaches towards more desirable proactive and community-orientated styles of policing. Subsequently, there is a growing body of research which proposes new and alternative methods of measuring police performance that addresses some of the problematic validity and reliability issues of the traditional metrics and incorporates these new policing styles. This study maps the key performance indicators reported by Australian policing agencies. It aims to identify what is being measured and how it is being measured. To do this, Australian policing agency annual reports were analysed both quantitatively with descriptive analysis and qualitatively using thematic analysis. Overall, the study found that although there are some attempts at incorporating new alternative metrics, policing agencies in Australia mostly rely on traditional metrics for reporting effectiveness. These findings are discussed in terms of opportunities to enhance or expand current reporting practices.