An Analysis of Computer-related Crime: Comparing Police Officer Perceptions with Empirical Data

Abstract

The rate of computer-related crime continues to escalate, while the rate of most index crimes has modestly declined. Computer network intrusions such as DoS attacks or fraud perpetrated over the Internet annually cost American society billions of dollars. Municipal police responses to this modern crime problem are varied. Future responses remain uncertain, but will require the formulation of more effective local law enforcement strategies. This article is an exploratory study of police officer perceptions of computer-related crime. Officers (n = 251) from four municipal jurisdictions in a single western state were surveyed to examine their perceptions of computer crime. The findings indicate that what police officers believe about computer crime reflects media-driven stereotypes, and may be influenced by moral considerations. Officer perceptions are inconsistent with the empirical facts on computer crime as reported in the peer-reviewed literature on the subject.