An applied research project led by UWF’s Nicholas Hasan Buker has produced a new evidence-based approach to designing police patrol beat borders, with the goal of enhancing the efficiency of police patrols and bolstering community safety. Developed in collaboration with the Pensacola Police Department, the study introduces the Need for Patrol Presence Score.

NPPS uses computer-assisted dispatch data to incorporate key factors such as call type, call urgency, and high-risk locations. The approach can help improve response times, balance officer workloads, and allocate patrol resources where they are needed most. “This project is a powerful example of how collaborative, applied research can directly inform and improve public safety,” says Buker.

• Hasan Buker