RESEARCH TITLE: The Quadrant Crime Prevention Plan in Chile: Implementation, impact and attitudes towards its operation

Abstract: Over the past 20 years, the Carabineros of Chile have introduced major innovations to improve their police work and execute their constitutional mission of preserving public order and security across the country. The Crime Prevention Quadrant Plan, a tactical administrative innovation, is the most noteworthy example to date in perfecting the Carabineros of Chile’s police function. The Quadrant Plan is not only a police strategy that aids the reduction of crime and public insecurity but also an innovative administration system that changed the police services and practices of the Carabineros of Chile.

Many studies have suggested that police innovations must gain the support of those who execute these efforts if the innovations are to succeed in their full implementation. This study aims to analyse Chilean police officers’ attitudes towards the implementation of the Quadrant Plan, focusing on the role that organisational and individual-level variables play in Chilean officers’ supportive and committed stances towards the plan. This study incorporated a mixed-methods approach using both quantitative and qualitative data from a self-completion survey administered to 300 police officers of various genders, ranks and years of service in the Carabineros. The respondents currently serve in 10 police units based in the western part of Greater Santiago, Chile. A response rate of 78% was achieved. Qualitative data were collected through a set of six open questions in the survey.

Findings showed that most participating officers expressed positive attitudes of support for and commitment to the Quadrant Plan. However, despite their attitudes being positive, free of scepticism, over 70% of the participating officers made it clear they thought the plan lacked the logistical and human resources necessary for improved performance. Regression analyses indicated that the individual-level variables ‘scepticism’ and ‘job satisfaction’ are important predictors of officers’ attitudes towards the Quadrant Plan. Similarly, the organisational-level variables ‘management’ and ‘police work orientation’ were also key indicators of support for and commitment to the Quadrant Plan.

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