Why do police officers work 12-hour shifts when research has shown that this type of schedule has significant disadvantages that impact officer wellness? Why do law enforcement agencies maintain a policy of vehicle pursuit despite the practice having been proven largely ineffective and often deadly? Why do departments continue to practice random patrol as a crime deterrent when evidence strongly suggests there are more effective strategies?

The answer to these questions in many agencies is “because that’s how it’s always been done.” The majority of policies and practices in agencies have surprisingly little basis in police research. Law enforcement is entering an age of predictive policing and big data, yet the field still has numerous policies that are largely by tradition, rather than evidence.