Public safety and the process of justice are changing significantly. Police departments everywhere are replacing older styles of investigation with advanced ways of studying information. An online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside prepares graduates to advance the scientific basis of criminal justice. Solving crimes, anticipating future incidents and deciding where to send police officers now depends on studying collected data. This modification allows professionals to recognize patterns in criminal behavior, predict where problems might happen next and improve patrol methods.
The move toward using statistical reasoning in criminal justice has led to significant changes in approaching public safety. One area is anticipatory policing, which uses historical arrest records and incident reports to predict the chance of future events. By recognizing these patterns, police departments can make informed choices about where to place personnel before incidents happen.
Crime mapping is another area that involves turning large amounts of written crime reports into visual representations. Specialized software shows where and when offenses happen, helping police identify where and when crimes have taken place. This visual approach improves response times and lets administrators schedule personnel more efficiently across their territory. For instance, data can help locate areas with more property crimes, leading to more preventative measures.
Evidence-based Approaches and Current Technology
Making choices based on data, often called evidence-based practice, is important for law enforcement. Instead of relying on traditions or gut feelings, administrators can use measurable results to make budgeting and other changes to their department. If data shows that certain intervention programs reduce repeat offenses more successfully than others, those programs will get more attention.
Technology supports this type of practice. Modern police work relies on large amounts of information from traffic stops, incident accounts and court reports. Analytical software sorts and summarizes these enormous datasets, which provide easy-to-read reports that support changes to department rules and planning for police action. For example, real-time crime centers use sensor data and open-source information to collect and study information quickly, improving how investigations are conducted.
Success in this type of profession requires a specific set of skills. Future criminal justice professionals need to be comfortable working with numbers and statistics. They need to understand how to gather information accurately, fix incorrect data and run analytical tests. Beyond math skills, professionals need to be strong critical thinkers and communicators who can clearly explain their findings to others who don’t have the same background.
Preparing the Next Generation of Analysts
The new needs of law enforcement have opened up professional opportunities, particularly in crime analysis and policy development. Colleges and universities are responding by updating their programs. The University of Wisconsin Parkside’s online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice prepares students for these types of positions.
The coursework at UW-Parkside includes evidence-based approaches and the development of analytical thought, which are needed for success in the criminal justice field. Students take courses like Criminal Justice Research Methods and math courses like College Math with Applications, which covers statistics, proportional reasoning and modeling. They learn to use research techniques to study various subjects, from policing to correctional management. This online degree program prepares graduates to join government agencies, policy organizations or public service groups soon after graduation.
As information systems continue to produce more data, the demand for professionals who know how to use data to solve problems and inform action plans will continue to grow. The next generation of public safety leaders will be those who understand how data can help reduce crime and improve relations within the community.
Learn more about the University of Wisconsin-Parkside’s online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program.