Jerry H. Ratcliffe > Quotes

“Wicked problems are challenging social problems that are ill-formulated and may involve many decision-makers with conflicting values.3,4 Wicked problems are places or areas where multiple factors in Box 3.2 are relevant. They are difficult to define, often unique, and have little to indicate a solution. As a leading researcher and police executive noted: “Wicked problems seldom have simple causes and usually sit across, and between different organizations or stakeholders to the point where not only is the cause and solution frequently disputed, but each apparent ‘solution’ often generates a further problem.”
― Jerry Ratcliffe, Reducing Crime: A Companion for Police Leaders

“Spend enough time with police officers and you soon identify the ‘expert’ group. These are the cops that ‘know’ how to fix the crime problem. Regardless of the issue, they immediately propose a solution with unfaltering confidence. Their pronouncement sometimes starts with the phrase ​“​in my experience …​”​ This can be followed by a lament that if it were not for politicians, prosecutors or senior officers holding them back, they could magically bring tranquility to the community.”
― Jerry H. Ratcliffe, Evidence-Based Policing: The Basics

“Or, to put it another way, some people are just too stupid to know how stupid they are.”
― Jerry Ratcliffe, Reducing Crime: A Companion for Police Leaders

“Police officers are inherently optimistic and hate only two things: how we do it right now, and change. There is no shortage of traditionalists within the police service who have limited imagination and respect for new ideas.”
― Jerry Ratcliffe, Reducing Crime: A Companion for Police Leaders

“am not the only person to have noticed there are only two things coppers hate: how we are doing policing right now, and change.”
― Jerry H. Ratcliffe, Evidence-Based Policing: The Basics

“Isaac Asimov lamented ​“​anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge’ ​”​.”
― Jerry H. Ratcliffe, Evidence-Based Policing: The Basics

“policing is the only field where the word ‘clever’ is an insult​”​.”
― Jerry H. Ratcliffe, Evidence-Based Policing: The Basics

“The police are a paramilitary organization, replete with rank insignia and uniforms. This results in a deference to rank that is often a proxy for experience, even though some leaders have neither extensive street time nor relevant expertise.”
― Jerry H. Ratcliffe, Evidence-Based Policing: The Basics

“There is no way to write the perfect book for everyone in modern policing, as your work environment may not reflect exactly what has been laid out here. As the caveat for new car fuel consumption warns, your mileage may differ. But, in general, there are some common useful areas. The aim is to identify recurring problems that are concerns to the public and the police. The lists in Box 3.2 are not exhaustive nor do you have to include them all if some are not relevant; however, they may help you get started in terms of categories to explore.”
― Jerry Ratcliffe, Reducing Crime: A Companion for Police Leaders