A comparative analysis of clustered and centralised policing deployment models: a mixed method study in metropolitan Townsville

A comparative analysis of clustered and centralised policing deployment models: a mixed method study in metropolitan Townsville

The deployment of resources in support of service delivery to uphold the rule of law is one of the most significant functions of policing. Organisational design is a critical component in how resources are deployed and coordinated, with recent literature providing a classification of two predominant policing models: clustered and centralised. A key decision for any policing organisation is the adoption of a model that aligns with critical environmental factors. This study identifies a number of recent reviews and audits which recommend consideration of police deployment models that are efficient, effective, flexible and responsive to police service delivery needs. The current situation in Townsville is one of increasing rates of offending and calls for service, and decreasing community confidence in police. With five 24-hour police stations in metropolitan Townsville operating within less than 20 kilometres of the central business district, this study employs an explanatory sequential mixed-method research design to identify how and to what extent the existing clustered, station-based policing deployment models relate to service delivery in metropolitan Townsville. The weight of research undertaken highlights the cross divisional nature of offending in Townsville, the lack of effective tasking and coordination of proactive resources between officers in charge, and the inefficiency of crews operating across divisional boundaries when responding to calls for service. The evidence informs the development of an alternative police deployment model for metropolitan Townsville, incorporating elements of centralisation and clustering. The deployment model and associated research contributes to the body of police research but addresses an area of study in regional Queensland that has had limited specific research. The research creates a platform for further study or examination and provides practitioners with an opportunity for application of findings.