University of Arizona to Host 9th Annual Evidence-Based Policing Conference

This spring, the 9th Annual Evidence-Based Policing Conference will be hosted by the University of Arizona in Tucson. Scheduled from April 30 to May 2, 2025, the event will gather a diverse group of researchers, police practitioners, and funders dedicated to advancing evidence-based policing practices. This year’s conference is presented in partnership with the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Southwest Institute for Research on Women, the Office for Research, Innovation, and Impact, or RII, and the Tucson Police Department — all of which play a role in fostering groundbreaking research and innovative solutions to social challenges.

The American Society of Evidence-Based Policing, or ASEBP, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to driving the national conversation on utilizing the least harmful, most effective, fairest, and safest research-based strategies to prevent crime, reduce harm, and enhance community wellness. The ASEBP facilitates the annual event, which focuses on research and strategies aimed at making policing practices more effective, equitable, and safer for communities.

The three-day event will benefit policing practitioners, researchers, and those involved in community impact related to law enforcement. Attendees will have the chance to:

•    Engage with thought leaders and practitioners in the policing and research fields.
•    Participate in breakout sessions and panel discussions led by industry professionals and academic experts.
•    Network with peers and researchers committed to advancing evidence-based policing practices.

This year's conference will feature keynote speakers and presentations from academics and practitioners in the field of policing, both nationwide and globally. Highlighted below is the latest research in evidence-based policing, to be presented by faculty and graduate students in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Arizona.

"It's critical to take a research-informed approach to addressing the most pressing issues that our communities are focusing on or experiencing. By working together, police, researchers, community members, and community-supportive service and healthcare providers can achieve much greater positive impact than working alone,” said Jo Korchmaros, director of the Southwest Institute for Research on Women in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Arizona.

Victor Braitberg, associate professor of practice in the W.A. Franke Honors College and affiliate faculty in the School of Anthropology, will present on “Finding Common Ground: An Ethnographic Journey to Addressing Racial Disparities in Policing.” Braitberg’s research included a partnership with the Tucson Police Department and the use of ride-alongs, focus groups, and interviews. This presentation highlights the potential of training focused on universal vulnerabilities in human cognition – rather than on traditional training topics like slavery and mass incarceration – to reduce race-based disparities in policing outcomes.

Suyeon Jo, Seung-Ho An, and Craig Smith — faculty in the School of Government and Public Policy — in collaboration with Jenna Aldulaimi, Derrick Goodrich, and Aeric Koerner of the Tucson Police Department, will present their research, “Does Collaborative Policing Reduce Violent Crimes? Evidence from Place Network Investigations (PNI) in Tucson.” Their research examines the effectiveness of the Place Network Investigations (PNI) program in Tucson, aimed at reducing gun crimes through collaborative policing.

Samantha Simon, assistant professor in the School of Government and Public Policy, will present her research, “Police Academy Training: An Ethnographic Examination,” which draws on 600 hours of fieldwork at four police academies and 40 interviews and explores how new cadets are socialized into engaging in violence.

Jo Korchmaros, director of the Southwest Institute for Research on Women, and Ericka Stropka, a lieutenant with the Tucson Police Department, will present on “Effectiveness of and Lessons Learned from a Police-Behavioral Health Co-responder Approach to Addressing Substance Misuse.” This collaborative study between the University of Arizona and TPD evaluates the effectiveness of the community outreach-focused component of TPD’s pre-Arrest Deflection Program.

Jenna Aldulaimi, Derrick Goodrich, and Aeric Koerner of the Tucson Police Department, in partnership with Seung-Ho An and Suyeon Jo, assistant professors in the School of Government and Public Policy, will present on “Assessing Organizational Health and Employee Engagement: Findings from the Tucson Police Department Employee Viewpoint Survey.” The survey findings capture employee perspectives on workplace culture, job satisfaction and professional development, and covers areas linked to productivity and morale.

Kerri Rodriguez, assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, with partners Jessica Dockstader and Cait Kanewske of the CNA Corporation, and Kenneth Quick of DeSales University, will be a speaker on “Integrating Facility Dogs into Law Enforcement: A Path to Improved Member Wellness & Community Interactions.”

Molly Delzio, graduate research assistant in the Human-Animal Bond Lab in the College of Veterinary Medicine, will present, “A New Kind of Partner: How Do Facility Dogs Enhance Law Enforcement Wellbeing and Workplace Culture?” The presentations will focus on the integration of animal-assisted interventions through full-time facility dogs.

“This conference serves as an example of the college’s and the university’s commitment to driving innovative, research-informed solutions that improve safety and community well-being,” said Jane Zavisca, associate dean of research and graduate studies in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. "The collaborative efforts between academic researchers, law enforcement, and community partners underscore the value of multidisciplinary approaches in advancing policing practices that are more effective and impactful.”

“We know that evidence-based policing is an approach that emphasizes the use of rigorous, scientific research to guide decision-making and improve policing practices,” said Jason Potts, director of the Department of Public Safety in Las Vegas, Nevada, and president of the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing.

Conference Details

Early-bird registration for the ASEBP Conference closes on March 26. Early registration is encouraged for those planning to attend in person.

Registration Fees (Non-Presenters):
•    ASEBP Members: $125
•    Non-Members: $150
•    Students: $40

For more information, please visit the registration page or contact jkorch@arizona.edu

Additional sponsors include the University of Arizona School of Government and Public Policy, the Rombach Institute and Mel and Enid Zuckerman School of Public Health, as well as Axon, Arizona State University School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arnold Ventures, ESRI, Flock Safety, the National Policing Institute, and Peregrine.