Work

Risk Managed Demand: Operational Risk Management in Police Response to Calls for Service

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study applies risk management strategies from commercial aviation to better understand when it is safe to send unarmed responders to 911/999 calls. By analyzing three years of community-generated call data from Seattle, Washington (727,423 calls across 356 types), this research assesses risk, or the “credible worst-case scenario” for each call type. Findings reveal nearly half (48.9%) of all call types could be safely addressed by diversified, non-police responders rather than the traditional “all-hazards” police approach. Observations that the all-hazards responder is often necessary to identify such opportunities, or what we term “Ratcliffe's Paradox,” are confirmed. This study indicates a systematic approach to risk management could enable such a diversified responses, potentially freeing up to 26% of police resources currently allocated to non-police calls. A Risk Managed Demand (RMD) could improve public safety outcomes, reduce the collateral harms of armed responses, and operationalize Alternative First Responder programs resulting in an optimal allocation of resources.

Source: Police Quarterly

DOI: 10.1177/10986111251383548

Author: Loren T. Atherley

Institution: University of Cambridge

Language: English

Topic: Policing Practices and Perceptions

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650