Hyderabad Police Embrace NYPD’s CompStat Accountability Process

A CompStat from NYPD

Some of the most fast and visible changes and reforms of Telangana Government are happening in the Police department. A month after CM KCR ambitiously declared police reforms in his inaugural speech as CM, Hyderabad police started adapting processes that are inherent to modernization of police force. In the eventful 30 days, the police department brainstormed on the new unified recruitment process, the weekly offs, modernization of the machinery including cars and bikes and a more integrated command centre to control crime and plan policing.

On July 2 & 3, Cyberabad police initiated the much talked about CompStat (Computer Statistics/Comparative Statistics) approach of New York Police Department (NYPD). CompStat is a GIS-based tool for crime reduction pioneered by New York City Police. It is also an accountability process and is wildly successful and has since been replicated in many other departments in New York and in other cities. CompStat is a management philosophy or organizational management tool for police departments, roughly equivalent to Six Sigma or TQM. Through an evolutionary process, however, computer systems came to take up a significant role in CompStat compliance. At it’s very core, CompStat is a multilayered dynamic approach for crime reduction, quality of life improvement, and personnel and resource management. CompStat employs Geographic Information Systems and was intended to map crime and identify problems. In weekly meetings, ranking NYPD executives meet with local precinct commanders from one of the eight patrol boroughs in New York City to discuss the problems. They devise strategies and tactics to solve problems, reduce crime, and ultimately improve quality of life in their assigned area. After it’s success in NY, other cities & States within US like Washington, DC, Los Angeles,Philadelphia, Austin,San Juan, San Francisco, New Haven, CT, Baltimore and Maryland adapted the same. In Canada, Vancouver embraced it. Now, Hyderabad takes it up. Anyone who watched HBO’s ‘The Wire’ would be familiar with the CompStat process followed by the police about who the show is about.

The July 2nd meeting is an example. Gone are the days when the CP and Senior officers give a speech in front of mike with attentive officers listening to them all the time. The meeting started a new accountability process where the concerned Zonal DCP along with his ACPs, Crime Inspectors, SIs and CCS Staff, got onto the stage and gave a report of the crime situation in their respective Zones, divisions and Police Station area. In this instance, the meeting focused on property crime. Due to a recent spurt in chain snatchings and house break-ins, the DCP had to explain the total property crimes that occurred in his area, the number of cases detected, the total property recovered and the related details. The DCP had to explain the steps being taken to prevent, detect the property crimes. He also explained the problems faced by him in this regard.

The DCP was asked several questions by the CP, Jt. CP and other DCPs about his strategy and corrections were suggested. Similarly, the ACP and the Crime Inspector/Sub-Inspectors had to explain their performance and answer questions about their own tasks. This gives an opportunity for the concerned officers to express themselves and also defend and explain their performance. It makes them more responsible for their actions. In follow-up to the exercise, an action plan was evolved to control and detect property crimes in Cyberabad. The police officials were instructed to use latest technology in prevention and detection of crime. A number of non-bailable warrants were pending against important property offenders. Counseling to imprisoned and released property offenders was suggested with the co-opting of family members, relatives, friends and elders. Verifying the complicity and Modus operandi of property offenders was suggested and a vigil on pawn brokers and receivers of stolen property stressed upon. Apprehending and verifying the complicity of absconding property offenders was also suggested.

To prevent and detect property crimes, specific directions were issued to Detective Inspectors, Detective Sub-Inspectors to improve and check out their performance and a weekly performance sheets issued to them. The Cyberabad Police has decided to conduct an education campaign through pamphlets and posters to create awareness among public about modus operandi of property crimes.