Risk Awareness, De-escalation, And Referral (RADAR): A Subject-Specific Information-Sharing Approach to Increase Public Safety in First Responder Crisis Management

The Smart Policing Initiative seeks to build upon the concepts of offender-based and place-based policing and broaden the knowledge of effective policing strategies. The most convincing research demonstrates that place-based or hotspot policing reduces violent crime and neighborhood disorder. This initiative addresses the need for effective policing that requires a tightly focused, collaborative approach that is measurable, based on sound, detailed analysis and includes policies and procedures for accountability. This grant program seeks to build upon data-driven, evidence-based policing by encouraging state and local law enforcement agencies to develop effective, economical, and innovative responses to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime within their jurisdictions.

The city of Shoreline Police Department (SPD) will utilize the SPI funds in partnership with a research partner for the development, implementation, and rigorous evaluation of an innovative subject-specific information sharing, de-escalation, and response strategy called RADAR: Risk Awareness, De-escalation, And Referral. RADAR is also innovative in its focus on direct engagement, information sharing, and collaboration between police, high risk individuals, and the individuals' "circles of support". The Risk Awareness piece of RADAR involves identifying high-risk individuals and their circles of support. The De-escalation piece involves four strategies: working with individuals, their supporters, and mental health professionals to develop a specific response plan for responding officers; relationship-building between RADAR officers, individuals, and their circles of support; partnership with mental health organizations and other first responders; and community outreach regarding mental health issues. “And Referral” focuses on developing an information-sharing database so that officers responding to a person in crisis can access response plans and key information on the go even when they are not familiar with that individual’s specific needs. The ultimate goal of the project is to enhance community and first responder safety through relationship-based policing, community caretaking, and procedural justice.

CA/NCF