Course Description:
IADLEST in cooperation with TXDOT is offering a FREE virtual 5-part training series (21 credit hours) that focuses on the principles regarding data quality, data analysis, reporting, and evaluation using Microsoft Excel®. It is designed for analysts to learn the key data and analytical skills needed to establish effective and efficient data-driven processes. This training provides detailed instruction and practical exercises regarding the process of organizing quality police data and performing quality analyses.
Overview of this segment of the training
To register contact Daniel A. Howard at: danhoward@iadlest.org
Course Description:
IADLEST, in cooperation with TxDOT, is offering a FREE virtual 4-part training series (14 credit hours) that focuses on the principles relating to managing and analyzing data using Microsoft Excel®. The course is designed for analysts to learn the key data and analytical skills needed to establish effective and efficient data-driven processes. Topics include threshold analysis and critical thinking, application with complex formulas, and 3D mapping in Excel. This series explores the benefits of data-driven strategies and answering complex questions in Microsoft Excel®.
Note: It is recommended that students take Data Analysis Using Microsoft Excel® Basic prior to enrolling in this intermediate course.
Overview of this segment of the training
To register contact Daniel A. Howard at: danhoward@iadlest.org
Course Description:
IADLEST in cooperation with TXDOT is offering a FREE virtual 4-part training series (14 credit hours) that focuses putting analytical knowledge and skills into action and truly supporting your agency in strategic and effective analysis-driven operations.
This training series provides instruction and practical exercises and focuses on the concepts of tactical analysis as a means to provide field personnel with actionable information to reduce crashes, crimes and other social harms.
Overview of this segment of the training
To register contact Daniel A. Howard at: danhoward@iadlest.org
Skills to Develop: Microsoft Excel Basic
- Manage data for analysis in Excel
- Improve data quality through streamlined cleaning methods
- Perform critical data review
- Learn a variety of data management functions and formulas (including trim, proper, substitute, date, min, max, mid, left, right, proper, concatenate, text to column, text formulas, date and time formulas)
- Learn a variety of data analysis functions and formulas (including sum, average, weighted average, percent changes, standard deviation, Z-scores)
- Link multiple data sheets
- Create pivot tables and charts
Skills to Develop: Microsoft Excel Intermediate
- Demonstrate creating threshold analysis and performing critical thinking relative to said analyses.
- Demonstrate creating complex formulas in Excel, such as if statements, time conversions, and prediction formulas.
- Demonstrate creating complex analyses in Excel, such as time analyses and crime series predictions.
- Demonstrate creating 3D maps in Excel, including prepping data, creating a pin map, adding layers, creating a heat map, creating an evolving video, sharing analyses, and understanding benefits and limitations.
Skills to Develop: Analysis in Action
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Identification of crime hot spots and crash high-activity locations
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Identification of environmental and other factors driving activity within the identified clusters
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Conducting threshold analysis specific to districts, beats, zones, street segments, to support effective and efficient deployment of resources
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Application of temporal factors and other advanced analysis
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Monitoring, evaluating and adjusting operations to achieve desired impact
Instructors:
Debra J. Piehl, DDACTS Analytical Director
International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST)
Debra J. Piehl most recently served as the senior crime analyst in the Office of Crime Control Strategies for the New York City Police Department (NYPD). In this position she was responsible for coordinating the selecting, hiring, training and supervising of NYPD’s first civilian crime analysts. Over 90 analysts were deployed to all precincts and patrol boroughs and work to support the Commanding Officers in CompStat and analysis-driven operations, efficient deployment of resources and continued crime reduction. The analysts are very directly involved in the CompStat management process and prepare the Commanders for regular CompStat meetings.
Debra previously served as a research and policy analyst for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the District of Columbia in Washington, DC. In this role she supported a number of projects related to criminal history records, combating gun violence and coordinated the activities of the DC Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) interagency advisory committee. Prior to joining CJCC, Debra served as the Analytical Specialist for Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTS). In this role she was responsible for the data and analysis specific components of DDACTS workshops and for providing analytical support and technical assistance to police departments around the country in support of DDACTS as a data-driven, location-based operational philosophy.
Debra served for over five years as the Compstat Director of the Massachusetts State Police. While there she was responsible for supporting analysis-driven operations for crime and crash reductions. She previously served the State Police as an Intelligence Analyst Supervisor in the Commonwealth Fusion Center.
Prior to joining the State Police Debra served as Director of Planning & Research at the Newton Police Department. In addition to implementing Compstat at Newton, Debra also served as the CALEA Accreditation Manager and was responsible for maintaining all updated policies and procedures and for all grant administration. Debra led the department through two CALEA re- accreditations and was invited to present on various topics at CALEA national conferences.
Debra is currently working nationally and internationally to support the implementation of crime analysis, analysis-driven operations and CompStat at local, regional and federal levels.
Debra was recently the recipient of the first annual 2019 Bryan Hill IACA Memorial Scholarship in recognition of her efforts to support and mentor crime analysts around the world. She was also presented the International Association of Crime Analysts 2017 President’s Award in recognition of her meritorious contributions to the crime analysis profession and specifically her tireless work to create 100 new crime analyst jobs at NYPD. She was also the 2010 and 2003 recipient of the same award from previous IACA presidents.
Christopher W. Bruce, Assistant Professor, Husson University;
Senior Analytical Specialist and DDACTS Subject Matter Expert
Christopher W. Bruce is a trainer and consultant with expertise in police data systems, crime analysis, and data-driven strategies to reduce crime. He was a crime analyst for 18 years in Massachusetts, where he performed daily tactical, strategic, and administrative analysis for municipal police agencies. For the last 13 years, he has provided consulting and training through a variety of nonprofit associations and government agencies in the areas of data management, crime analysis, traffic analysis, hot spot policing, and problem-oriented policing. In 2019, after almost 20 years of adjunct teaching at various colleges, he became a full-time assistant professor of criminal justice at Husson University in Bangor, Maine.
Christopher served on the board of the International Association of Crime Analysts for nearly 20 years, including periods as vice president of administration (2000-2006), president (2007-2012), and vice president of membership (2016-2019). He was the first editor of the IACA's flagship publication, Exploring Crime Analysis. His other publications include Spatial Statistics in Crime Analysis: Using CrimeStat III (2013), Better Policing with Microsoft Office (2007), and Building a Model Crime Analysis Program (2017).