Summary
"This book assesses the reliability of police data in England and Wales, arguing that it is being manipulatedto such an extent that it serves little purpose inmeasuring crime levels or the performance of the policeservice. However, the data provides a rich and reliablesource of evidence on the impact of performancemanagement systems of control on the behaviourof police officers. Methodologically, it relies on a‘grounded’ approach, based on the participantobservations of a serving officer who identified andcategorised various forms of ‘gaming’ behaviouremployed to improve reported performance byunethical and in some cases unlawful means.By examining the impact of known incidents, exposuresor scandals on the performance of the police forcesinvolved, it became possible to quantify the extent towhich such behaviours were distorting the data usedto judge efficiency. The widespread occurrence andrepeated nature of incidents involving the samephenomenon suggests that this form of police devianceis organisational in nature. This in turn raises questionsabout the standard of police leadership and thoseentrusted with the governance, oversight and scrutinyof the service. A critique of both is woven into the fabricof this report."--Page xiii.