A Mixed-Methods Study of Early Intervention System Policy, Supervisory Review Practices, and Effectiveness

Abstract

Early Intervention (EI) systems are police accountability tools widely used to identify and address at-risk officers. Studies have yet to incorporate supervisory review practices into EI evaluations. The current study helps fill this gap by examining the operation and effectiveness of an EI system through the integration of policy and supervisory review practices using a mixed methods design. EI alert data, supervisor response memos, and semi-structured supervisor interviews were collected from a large, metropolitan police agency in the southwestern United States. Results indicated that several officer, supervisor, and EI case characteristics were associated with both supervisors’ EI policy adherence and the likelihood of subsequent EI alerts occurring. These results were supplemented with supervisors’ perceptions of EI processes and reasons for EI system effectiveness and ineffectiveness. Collectively, EI system design and implementation, supervisory review processes, and appropriate oversight of these processes were perceived to be key to an EI system’s success.