NYPD's COMPSTAT: Strengths and Weaknesses

COMPSTAT stands for compare statistics. It is a performance management system developed by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 1994. Then Police Commissioner William Bratton and his inner circle developed the award winning management system. Compstat was not something that was constructed through long term planning; rather, it arose from necessity. Essentially, it was developed a few months after Mr. Bratton came into office under the new Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. This paper first offers the reader some historical background and explains the basics of the system. Second, we discuss the much more publicized strengths of Compstat as portrayed in various sources such as Silverman, 1999; Bratton, 1998; Maple,1999; Kelling & Coles, 1998. Third, we expose Compstat’s far lesser known weaknesses based on our research including 2 surveys of NYPD retirees. Lastly, based on these insights, we suggest innovative ways for police managers and researchers to move forward to

maximize strengths and minimize weaknesses. This paper addresses the research question of whether NYPD’s Compstat’s performance management system – already widely dispersed – requires reassessment.