Problem Solving
Principles
Some of the most important skills you will need to learn are problem solving ones. This section looks at some of the basic principles of problem solving and gives information about where to find information on more advanced techniques if you need them.
The problem solving approach was originally developed for policing and one of its original developers was Professor Herman Goldstein, Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin Law School, USA. Goldstein realised that crime problems were being constantly dealt with in a reactive way. He suggested that concentrating on the biggest problems and addressing the underlying causes using problem solving was more likely to achieve longer term, more sustainable success. This approach has now been adopted in the UK, first by the police, but now by all agencies working in partnership.
Problem solving is a way of systematically addressing the underlying factors that affect community safety. It utilises a set of tools designed to understand those problems and involves interaction with the community and the criminal justice partners by recognising resources and expertise. One of its key advantages is that it encourages this wide range of resources and expertise to develop sustainable solutions.
Some of the basic principles of problem solving were set out by Tim Read and Professor Nick Tilley in the Home
- Office Publication, Not Rocket Science. (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/prgpdfs/crrs06.pdf
PDF 184 kb). These are:
- Make use of all available data to establish the existence and extent of the problem (don’t rely on perception and hearsay)
- Draw upon the findings of existing research to inform the analysis and choice of response. Examine what has worked, but beware of taking the easy ‘lift and fit’ route, as each area is different
- Apply lateral thought in developing innovative solutions and carefully monitor progress (not being afraid to adjust, extend or even abandon an intervention if it’s not working).
