JSTRI Technical Assistance

This project refreshed the Massachusetts State Police staffing study that the Northwestern University Traffic Institute conducted in September of 1993.  It collected, processed and analyzed data to determine optimum staffing levels across the agency. The Police Allocation Manual (PAM) is a workload-based resource allocation methodology developed by Northwestern University for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA). Dr. Lambert acted as a technical consultant in support of UMass-Boston’s legislative mandate to conduct a management review of the State Police. The project examined historic and projected staffing levels using formulas to calculate reactive, proactive and administrative time. 

In October 2017, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo signed into law a package of legislation to enhance the criminal justice system.  JSTRI staff and interns are working with state practitioners to complete implementation of a variety of projects such as the applications of a Crisis Intervention Team, training in Mental Health First Aid for criminal justice practitioners, and enhancing Rhode Island's criminal justice data infrastructure.

David Lambert, Ph.D, Roger Williams University, Justice System Training & Research Institute

Bill Canatta, Program Director, Autism and Law Enforcement Education Coalition, Arc of South Norfolk

There have been a number of high profile situations where first responders have misinterpreted the behavior of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  People with ASD are more likely to come in contact with first responders in a variety of situations, be they victims or crimes, missing persons or suspects.  There is a substantial need for first responders in general to recognize and respond effectively to incidents involving autistic subjects. 

Collaborating with Roger Williams University, the Arc of South Norfolk, MA assessed one regional awareness program focusing on enhancing the ability of police officers to effectively resolve ASD subject –police interactions.  Using a pre and posttest evaluation survey, the researchers determined that this program successfully raised the level of knowledge and skills when interacting with ASD subjects.  Specifically, officers were more informed about the characteristics and behavioral indicators of autism spectrum disorder, methods of communication and common hazards that affect those individuals.

The goals of the proposed project are to assess how New Jersey has implemented and institutionalized its crime reduction intelligence capabilities and examine the impact of the New Jersey’s initiatives on gun violence. The study will employ a case study analysis of New Jersey’s data collection / analysis and integrated intelligence sharing systems and a quasi-experimental research design to assess the impact of these systems on firearms violence.

Specific research questions include, has the New Jersey legislation to mandate collection of firearms evidence increased the collection and timeliness of firearms forensic crime data (including NIBIN, eTrace, shots fired)? Second, has the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center (ROIC) increased the integration of firearms crime data with other crime related data sources?  Has the ROIC and its CorrStat initiative increased the use and integration of firearms crime data with criminal investigations, and improved investigative outcomes on gun related cases? Finally, has this resulted in increased apprehension of gun offenders and a reduction in firearms crime?

Roger Williams University will serve as a subject matter sub-awardee for criminal intelligence information sharing and analysis.