Development of the National Consortium to Advance Police Supervision

The Ohio State University’s National Consortium to Advance Police Supervision (CAPS) proposal aims to address challenges in policing by improving the leadership capabilities of first-line supervisors such as sergeants and lieutenants, hold critical positions that directly influence the effectiveness of police departments. These supervisors are critical to enforcing policy, promoting accountability, and integrating problem-oriented policing (POP). The underlying guiding philosophy is integrating data-driven approaches and crime science into street-level strategies and daily supervisory activities and practices. The goals of CAPS include: (1) to improve the overall quality of first-line supervision in municipal, county, state, and campus police agencies nationwide, (2) to advance the use of problem solving and evidence-based strategies by first-line supervisors and to encourage further adoption by their subordinate officers, and (3) to create learning opportunities by developing a community of practice for police supervisors to share innovations and learn about promising practices across topics. The project will create a consortium of police supervisors and experts to develop tools, resources, and training to improve supervision practices. The consortium is guided by an advisory board of eleven leading authorities in policing, community relations, civil rights, and technology. CAPS will facilitate knowledge sharing through a Community of Practice and deliver practical resources, including supervisor playbooks and crime science models.