Search the Matrix

What strategies can be effective in reducing crime and disorder in policing? The Evidence-Based Policing Matrix is a research-to-practice translation tool that organizes moderate to very rigorous evaluations of police interventions visually, allowing agencies and researchers to view the field of research in this area. The Matrix is updated with all qualifying studies each year.

No difference in crime by beat based on the number of police cars assigned to random patrol.

Neighborhood – Mares & Blackburn (2021)

Acoustic Gunshot Detection System (AGDS) did not lead to crime reduction

Neighborhood – Mazerolle et al. (2003) [Shopfront Model]

The establishment of a police office in a community hub (e.g., shopping center, mall) did not lead to decreases in reported crime.

Neighborhood – McGarrell et al. (2001) [Directed Patrol]

General deterrence approach to directed police patrol, which focused on maximizing vehicle stops and enforcing traffic violations, did not reduce violent crime.

Neighborhood – Pate et al. (1985) (Houston)

Monthly newsletter with crime data failed to reduce victimizations of recipients

Neighborhood – Pate et al. (1985) (Newark)

Monthly newsletter with crime data failed to reduce victimizations of recipients

Neighborhood – Pate et al. (1987)

Community block watch has no impact on crime

Neighborhood – Police Foundation (1981)

No difference in crime by number of foot patrol officers assigned

Neighborhood – Tebes & Fagan (2022)

Significant reductions in stops and frisks did not increase felonies or violent misdemeanors while decreasing non-violent misdemeanors and reducing high school dropout rates

Neighborhood – Weisburd et al. (2015) – Beat level

Knowledge of where police officers patrolled did not affect directed patrol at the beat level

Neighborhood – Weiss & Freels (1996)

Aggressive traffic law enforcement had no impact on robbery or auto theft rates.

Neighborhood – Wycoff & Skogan (1993)

No decrease in victimization after increase in police-community meetings in target district

Individuals – Gottfredson et al. (2020)

Increase in school resource officers (SROs) led to an increase in drug and weapon-related offenses

Individuals – Sherman et al. (2000) (Drunk Driving)

Restorative justice conference led to possible backfire effects (with caveats) in rehabilitating drunk drivers

Individuals – Sloboda et al. (2009)

Negative program effect for adolescent substance abuse prevention program on use of alcohol and cigarettes and no effect for marijuana use.

Micro Places – Devlin & Gottfredson (2018)

Schools with resources officers associated with significantly higher rates of both recorded and reported crime