From Academia to Action: How Police Leaders Translate Evidence on the Ground
Article Information
Citation
Mourtgos, S. M., & Adams, I. T. (2026). From academia to action: How police leaders translate evidence on the ground. NIJ LEADS Special Issue, 123-139.
Keywords
Research translation, evidence-based policing, knowledge mobilization, police-researcher partnerships, actionable research
Research Summary
In response to a significant increase in violent crime and concurrent personnel shortages following 2020, the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) implemented an evidence-based crime reduction program beginning in 2022. This article documents that initiative, including its design, implementation, and outcomes, as a case study for other police managers.
The program focused on two strategies: stratified policing (a systems-based approach integrating evidence-based practices into daily operations) and hotspot policing targeting violent street crime in collaboration with criminologists from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Over two years, the initiative expanded the department’s analytical capabilities through strategic civilian hires, conducted in-depth analyses of high-crime areas, and developed a managerial accountability system for crime reduction. By 2023, Salt Lake City recorded its lowest crime levels in 15 years.
The article draws lessons for other agencies, including the critical role of a leadership “champion,” the importance of academic partnerships, the need to build analytical capacity, and the challenges of succession planning. It demonstrates that even with staffing constraints, agencies operating at 20% below approved staffing levels can achieve meaningful crime reductions through targeted, evidence-based investment.
Companion Video
Bridging the Research-Practice Gap in Policing
Dr. Mourtgos discusses strategies for making research more accessible and actionable for law enforcement agencies.