What describes intelligence-led policing and when did this approach gain prominence?

Intelligence-led policing is characterized by a proactive approach that emphasizes the collection, analysis, and application of data to make informed decisions in law enforcement. This methodology focuses on understanding crime patterns, identifying potential threats, and allocating resources more effectively to prevent crime rather than merely responding to it.

This approach gained prominence after the events of September 11, 2001, as law enforcement agencies sought to enhance their capabilities in responding to and preventing terrorism and serious crime through the strategic use of intelligence and data analytics. The shift towards a data-driven model allowed agencies to prioritize their efforts based on real-time information and predictive analytics, making policing more effective in addressing emerging threats.

While community-focused and reactive policing models existed, they did not emphasize data analysis to the extent that intelligence-led policing does. Community input emphasizes collaboration with the public, while reactive policing tends to respond to incidents after they occur, not utilizing predictive frameworks based on data analysis.