Police Benchmark Cities Survey

Several years ago I accidentally discovered the “benchmark cities survey” and I haven’t heard it talked about in academic and policing circles. It is a fantastic resource. the Survey consists of 5 major areas: Demographics, Budget, General Performance & Service Measures, Crime & Clearance, NIBRS Crime & Clearance, and Traffic Safety. Below are links to a few different years of the survey. This survey would be helpful for police in making knowledge based decisions, students for a police administration course, and academic research.

In 1997, a group of police chiefs from around the country established the benchmark cities survey, which created measurement tool to help ensure police departments provide the best service possible within their respective communities. Overland Park Police Department has taken the lead in compiling the survey results. The survey, updated annually, provides a range of information about each department. With that information, the participating agencies can set better goals and objectives, and compare their performance in the various areas.

The Overland Park Police Department has the most current year of the survey HERE

• The Lawrence KS PD combined all the PowerPoint presentations into a single presentation report (which is a better format):
  • The 2024 presentation is HERE (Norman, OK Police Department)
  • The 2023 presentation is HERE (Plano, TX Police Department)
  • All past benchmark cities surveys can be access at the Lawrence KS PD reports webpage HERE
  • The 2022 Survey can be accessed HERE Unfortunately this file is an Excel workbook that is the survey response form.
  • The 2021 presentation Has a broken link
  • The 2020 presentation can be accessed HERE
  • The 2019 presentation is HERE
  • The 2018 Presentation is HERE
  • The 2017 Presentation HERE
  • The 2016 report is HERE
  • The 2015 report is HERE
  • The 2014 report can’t be located
  • The 2013 report is HERE
  • Thank you Lawrence PD!!!!!