The Web of Police Influence on Offender Decisions: Making Better Use of All Legitimate Tools John E. Eck, Ph.D. School of Criminal Justice University of Cincinnati Presentation prepared for the SIPR-GMU Research Conference Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan October 20, 2014

An History of an idea…. It all started at university committee meeting

Start with 2 Propositions Actor Choice Situation Outcomes From: Bernasco, Ellfers, and van Gelder Offenders make choices like everyone else Choices depend on the interactions of the actor and the situation How do we influence the choices to get better outcomes?

Offender Choice Situation Outcomes A Standard View of Police Influence on Offenders Police Criminal Justice Agencies Rehab Entities Direct Indirect To offender Other

Offender Choice Situation Outcomes Another, More Recent Perspective Crackdowns & Hot Spots Patrols General & Specific Deterrence Call Response & Investigations Police

Break Down the Situation Situation manager handler guardian place target

Focusing on the Situation to Influence Offenders Handlers Managers Places Police TargetsGuardians Situation Offender ChoiceOutcomes Direct Indirect To offender To situation Other

Focusing on Those Who Control Situations Handlers Managers Places Police TargetsGuardians Situation Super Controllers Offender ChoiceOutcomes Direct Indirect To offender To situation Other

Create Strategies that Take Full Advantage of the Web Handlers Managers Police Guardians Situation Super Controllers Criminal Justice Agencies Rehab Entities Places Targets Offender ChoiceOutcomes Direct Indirect To offender To situation Other

Basic Points Police have many possible ways to influence offenders Most of the ways involve changing situations Most of the ways are indirect Most of the ways involve the support of non-police These approaches may be.  Less expensive  More effective  Less coercive

The Answer to the Police Captain It is all about the offender But there are many ways to influence offenders If we need to systematically address situations that make offending easy, lucrative, and low risk.