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Evaluation on shifting ground. Sonia Barnes, NZ Police Alison Chetwin, Independent Evaluator (formerly NZ Police). Presentation overview. Context Neighbourhood Policing – evaluation approach and changes to it, specific learning and contributions
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Evaluation on shifting ground Sonia Barnes, NZ Police Alison Chetwin, Independent Evaluator (formerly NZ Police)
Presentation overview • Context • Neighbourhood Policing – evaluation approach and changes to it, specific learning and contributions • Mobility – evaluation approach and changes to it, specific learning and contributions • What we learnt
Context Policing Excellence • Suite of 9 initiatives aiming to improve efficiency and effectiveness of NZ Police and shift more effort into prevention • Implementation of change programme began in 2010 with formal project management processes and evaluation • Implementation completed in 2013, targets to be met by 2014/15
Context • 2014/15: achievement of Policing Excellence aims • Increase preventative policing by 4% • Reduce crime and crash by 13% • Reduce prosecutions by 19% • 2017: contribute to Better Public Services targets • Reduce crime by 15% • Reduce violent crime rate by 20% • Reduce youth crime by 5%
Neighbourhood Policing • Neighbourhood Policing Teams: • Sergeant + 4-6 • Vulnerable neighourhoods • Up to 9,000 residents • Community engagement, partnership working, problem solving • Aim to: • Reduce crime and crash and re-victimisation • Increase trust and confidence, satisfaction, feeling safe
Original evaluation approach • South Auckland – to inform national roll-out • Desire for outcome evaluation • Two years before measure • Crime reduction • Perceptions of Police • Formative evaluation • Identification of outcomes and theory of action • Activities based on good practice • Early operation of teams
Adapting the evaluation to implementation changes • Accelerated implementation • Implementation in South Auckland late 2010 – early 2011 • Evaluation commenced early 2011 • Directive mid-2011 for 32 NPTs by end 2011 • Adaptation of evaluation approach • Emphasis on formative evaluation and learning to inform further implementation • Advisory role on implementation team • Responsive to ad hoc evaluative requests
What the evaluation contributed • Wider awareness and utility of findings • Evidence based development of initiative: • International research evidence • Learning from local implementation • Implementation team sought advice from evaluation team on aspects of development • Education/ awareness raising of utility of evaluative work – raised profile of value of evaluation
Mobility initiative • Mobile devices to access and record into police systems while out of station • Aim to save time, improve safety, make police work more effective • Trial in four police areas to be evaluated • Emphasis on summative evaluation
Mobility trial Model of evaluator/implementer collaboration • Early involvement as independent expert adviser • Input into trial design to ensure evaluability • Reporting to allow time for outcomes to emerge • Integration between project management and evaluation • Formal agreement to evaluation framework • Investment decision to draw on evaluation evidence
Shifting timeline Oct 2012 Business case for national roll-out Jan 2013 National roll-out commences
Options – changed timeframe • Continue with agreed evaluation plan • Seek reversion to agreed timeframe • Abandon evaluation • Adapt evaluation to new needs
Adapted design • Need to refine the trial • Formative real time information – surveys at completion of each roll-out • Informal verbal reports – surveys and observations • Need to inform national roll-out • Strengthen and bring forward qualitative component • Formal interim report and presentation • Need to inform investment decision • Retain summative evaluation
What we learnt • Importance and value of working with project management methodologies • Flexibility expands evaluation uses • Being prepared to circulate emerging findings leads to greater utility • Being willing to assist in developing the initiative results in initiative being more grounded in evidence • Summative evaluation needed for large investment decisions • Accelerated timeframes not always achievable • Demonstrate value of formative evaluation
Contact details Sonia Barnes Senior Evaluator, NZ Police sonia.barnes@police.govt.nz Alison Chetwin Independent Researcher & Evaluator alison.chetwin@ clear.net.nz http://www.police.govt.nz/new-zealand-police-evaluation-reports