Case studies For
Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Planned Change, 6E ByWayne N. Welsh, Philip W. Harris,
Bradley D. Edwards
Chapter 1
Case Study
Chapter 1: Analyzing the Problem
Scenario: Idaho’s Statistical Analysis Center Helps State Police Solve Personnel Allocation
Problem
State Police patrols must be allocated in an efficient manner in order to meet demands and keep
costs in line. The Idaho State Police wanted to determine how many troopers would be needed if
a trooper were to pass every mile of the state’s interstates and highways once a day. They also
wanted to know the number of troopers needed to provide adequate coverage for calls for service
and interagency assistance in each region of the state. For further information, see:
https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/idahos-statistical-analysis-center-helps-state-
police-solve
Questions
1. What evidence is needed to demonstrate the need for patrol services on state highways?
Correct Answer
Data on the locations and frequencies of crashes and calls for assistance will indicate the extent
of need.
2. What are some reasons why the need for police patrol services is not the same on all sections
of highway?
Correct Answer
Traffic density, road conditions, and weather will affect the frequency of crashes and calls for
assistance. Moreover, these same factors will affect how rapidly a patrol car can reach the scene
of an accident or a stranded vehicle.
3. What are some reasons why this problem hasn’t been adequately addressed before now?
Correct Answer
Although state police administrators have adjusted patrols to what they perceived to be the need
for services in the past, the availability of Geographic Information System (GIS) software for
analyzing data enabled the Statistical Analysis Center to classify sections of highway in terms of
, conditions that would affect the speeds at which patrol cars could travel, such as traffic density
and road conditions.
Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Planned Change, 6E ByWayne N. Welsh, Philip W. Harris,
Bradley D. Edwards
Chapter 1
Case Study
Chapter 1: Analyzing the Problem
Scenario: Idaho’s Statistical Analysis Center Helps State Police Solve Personnel Allocation
Problem
State Police patrols must be allocated in an efficient manner in order to meet demands and keep
costs in line. The Idaho State Police wanted to determine how many troopers would be needed if
a trooper were to pass every mile of the state’s interstates and highways once a day. They also
wanted to know the number of troopers needed to provide adequate coverage for calls for service
and interagency assistance in each region of the state. For further information, see:
https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/idahos-statistical-analysis-center-helps-state-
police-solve
Questions
1. What evidence is needed to demonstrate the need for patrol services on state highways?
Correct Answer
Data on the locations and frequencies of crashes and calls for assistance will indicate the extent
of need.
2. What are some reasons why the need for police patrol services is not the same on all sections
of highway?
Correct Answer
Traffic density, road conditions, and weather will affect the frequency of crashes and calls for
assistance. Moreover, these same factors will affect how rapidly a patrol car can reach the scene
of an accident or a stranded vehicle.
3. What are some reasons why this problem hasn’t been adequately addressed before now?
Correct Answer
Although state police administrators have adjusted patrols to what they perceived to be the need
for services in the past, the availability of Geographic Information System (GIS) software for
analyzing data enabled the Statistical Analysis Center to classify sections of highway in terms of
, conditions that would affect the speeds at which patrol cars could travel, such as traffic density
and road conditions.
