Cross Country

POP Guides Available from the COPS Office

Researching a Problem

This is the second guide in the problem-solving tools series designed to summarize knowledge about information gathering and analysis techniques that might assist police at any of the four main stages of a problem-oriented project: scanning, analysis, response, and assessment. Researching a Problem helps the user to define the problem, utilize technology to conduct Internet searches, get advice from experts, visit libraries, and evaluate primary sources of information. The guide offers helpful hints to understanding and identifying responses to problems based on research gathered. For a copy, call 800-421-6770 or visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

Using Offender Interviews To Inform Police Problem Solving

This guide provides a summary of the most important findings for offender interviews and offers concrete recommendations on conducting offender interviews for problem-oriented policing projects. It highlights findings from interviews with drug dealers and users, residential burglars, armed robbers, gang members, and gun offenders. A step-by- step description of interviewing offenders is provided, including the goals of the interview, who should conduct the interview, how to find appropriate subjects, informed consent, conducting the interview, sorting out the truth, and presenting the findings of the interview. For a copy, call 800-421-6770 or visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.