Over the past two decades, evidence-based policing has become accepted by practitioners around the world. This chapter focuses on evidence-based policing from the perspective of one who has served as a police chief in four different cities, implemented problem-oriented policing in three agencies and engaged in numerous research initiatives with a view toward improving police effectiveness. It discusses the risks and rewards of a police chief conducting research in a real-world laboratory. It provides suggestions on how researchers might encourage broader adoption of evidence-based practices in the future. Finally, the chapter identifies several areas in need of attention by researches in the future.

Evidence-based policing requires not only the production of high-quality research but also the implementation of those research findings as part of a police organization’s work. To date, there has been relatively limited empirical assessment of how to best achieve successful implementation. This chapter presents findings from the process evaluation of the EMUN reform in the Israel Police. The reform institutionalized several evidence-based policing approaches and has been demonstrated as effective in reducing and preventing crime. Our qualitative analysis uncovered three themes associated with a heightened capability to practice evidence-based policing: the ability to analyze data and reflect on it, organizational flexibility, and local engagement with the reform. These themes resonate with the existing literature in the field and are of broad relevance.