'Local governance" in policing: Achieving equilibrium between quality indicators and quantitative measures

Pilcher, Robyn; Collier, P.; Hodges, S.; Ward, C.; Mussell, N.; Van der Zahn, J-L.W.

Access Status

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Authors

Pilcher, Robyn

Collier, P.

Hodges, S.

Ward, C.

Mussell, N.

Van der Zahn, J-L.W.

Date

2009

Type

Conference Paper

Metadata

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Citation

Pilcher, R. and Collier, P. and Hodges, S. and Ward, C. and Mussell, N. and Van der Zahn, M. 2009. 'Local governance" in policing: Achieving equilibrium between quality indicators and quantitative measures, in Faff, R. (ed), Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, Jul 5-7 2009. Adelaide, Australia: John Wiley & Sons.

Source Title

Accounting and finance

Source Conference

Accounting & Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand

ISSN

0810-5391

School

School of Accounting

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/23365

Collection

Curtin Research Publications

Abstract

In discussing policing issues the press, public and politicians routinely focus on quantitative measures as these are perceived to be easier to measure and understand. However, this often overshadows pivotal qualitative details of major police processes such as the initial investigation which can significantly influence investigative outcomes. This study aims to develop, test and evaluate a theoretical model of local governance (i.e. decisions at the local level) in which trade-offs take place between knowledge, risk and performance in decisions at different organisational levels. The research findings highlight opportunities that exist for developing a more holistic and balanced approach to performance evaluation in the public sector, by balancing quantitative measures with more qualitative indicators.