Modernization of the Police Preventive Model: Creation and Implementation of the Problem-Oriented Police Strategy

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In 2012, the Ministry of Public Security of Costa Rica designed a model of the police service implemented by quadrant, which aimed to improve the quality of service provided to citizens by assigning specific responsibilities to police officers who serve in a small geographical area, called a quadrant. However, seven years later the police service model is not being implemented in all police stations in the country and, where it is being implemented, there is no evidence that the model has achieved its main objective. For this reason, the Directorate of Public Force has expressed the need to optimize this police service model by incorporating the principles of the problem-oriented policing (POP) and evidence-based policing. This will enable evidence with targeting and scientific methods to improve the quality of police services, reducing crime rates and increasing the confidence and perception of security in Costa Rica. The specific problem is that the current management model for the police force is ambiguous, inadequate and has no scientific basis, which makes the model urgent to be optimized in order to improve the police force's response to the population's security needs. The purpose of this project is to design a police management model that incorporates innovative police strategies and integrates the different programs and projects of the Public Force, focusing in prevention programs. This new model will allow current INL programs to be incorporated into Fuerza Publica’s work plan and become part of the programs they have to improve security in each cantonment. INL programs such as “Sembremos Seguridad”, “Police work with Youth”, “Anti-Drug Community Coalitions” and “Hacete Escuchar” will become part of the Police’s programs. This new model will also put INL funded “Datapol” (police database) into the heart of the police model, making it the primary source of evidence and information for police officers.

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