Compstat

law enforcement

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

Compstat, or computerized statistics, is a policing strategy that emerged in the late 20th century. It involves using computerized systems to plot crime incidents by time, day, and location. This allows police departments to identify patterns in criminal activity and allocate resources more effectively. Compstat has been credited with significant crime rate reductions in cities where it has been implemented and is considered by many administrators as a foundation for 21st-century policing. It can be integrated with various policing models, including crime-fighting and community-policing approaches.1

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Compstat
In the late 20th century, police agencies and departments throughout the United States and in some areas of Britain began adopting computerized systems, known as Compstat (computerized statistics), that could be used to plot specific incidents of crime by time, day, and location. By…
Read More
In the late 20th century, police agencies and departments throughout the United States and in some areas of Britain began adopting computerized systems, known as Compstat (computerized statistics), that could be used to plot specific incidents of crime by time, day, and location. By…
Read More