Strategies for Policing Innovation (SPI) in Wilmington, DE

NPI is evaluating the effects of a technological integration on shooting incidents in Wilmington, Delaware.

Project Overview

The Wilmington SPI (Strategies for Policing Innovation) project stems from innovative techniques of the Wilmington (DE) Police Department (WPD) responding to an increase in shooting events. The project involves integrating gunshot technology with existing camera systems to improve investigative efficacy and clearance rates for fatal and non-fatal shootings. When gunshot technology (ShotSpotter) detects shots fired, surrounding CCTV cameras will physically pan toward the location of the shots. The National Policing Institute is analyzing WPD data to assess outcomes of this endeavor, as well as surveying residents to capture whether confidence in police response changes.

Methodology

The National Policing Institute is evaluating the effects of this technological integration by conducting a time-series analysis of fatal and non-fatal shooting incidents several years prior to and following implementation. Additionally, response time to calls and investigative efficacy will be examined in a process evaluation of the technology implementation. Community surveys are being conducted before and after implementation to assess changes in community trust of the police department and to examine whether community member attitudes about WPD response to gun violence, specifically, change over the course of the project. Additionally, officer surveys will be conducted to capture information regarding implementation of such an innovative technology to provide ‘lessons learned’ to the field.

Project Publications

This project did not result in a publication.

Strategic Priority Area(s)

Service Area(s)

Staff Contact(s)

Media Contact

Media inquiries should be directed to our Communications team at:

media@policinginstitute.org
202-833-1460

More Information

Project Status: Completed

Location(s): Wilmington, DE

Research Design: Non-experimental

Research Method(s): Case study, Longitudinal study, Surveys, Secondary data analysis

Strategic Priority Area(s)

Service Area(s)

Staff Contact(s)

Media Contact

 

Media inquiries should be directed to our Communications team at:

media@policinginstitute.org
202-833-1460