(COMPuter STATistics or COMParative STATistics)

Refers to a targeted approach to policing developed by the New York City Police Department in 1994 under Police Commissioner William Bratton and Deputy Commissioner Jack Maple. The basic concept has since been adopted by numerous agencies, although many use their own acronym rather than Compstat.

Analysis of data is the critical component of Compstat. This data typically includes current crime statistics, performance or productivity metrics, and incident-level data. A major goal of Compstat is to examine incident-level data such as incident type, victim information, date and time of occurence and other specific details in order to help agencies spot emerging trends that might otherwise be submerged in the sheer volume of their daily workload. These data are typically stored in a geographic information system so that incidents can be mapped, geographic analyses can be performed, strategies can be formulated, and resources can be directed where they are needed most.

A key feature of Compstat are regular meetings where these data are distributed, displayed and discussed. The distribution of computer statistics in the form of tables, graphs and maps at meetings is intended to increase the flow of information. This enables all departments within an agency to work together in resolving issues. The CompStat process also helps hold departmental leaders accountable through the reoccuring review of data, and the evaluation of strategies and tactics implemented in response to identified patterns and problems.

CompStat helps create collaborative efforts by making sure the entire agency is more focused on its core mission and goals, by actively monitoring the common operating picture and examining progress towards those goals.

Many major US cities such as Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Chicago have expanded on the success of Compstat in policing, and have made it an integral part of their day to day operations of municipal goverment more generally.

Sources: WikiPedia, DOJ, NIJ Web sites and Chief Tom Casady of Lincoln PD in Nebraska.

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