What does the term "incident-driven" mean in the context of police service models?

The term "incident-driven" in the context of police service models signifies that each police response is prompted by individual incidents or calls for service. This approach emphasizes handling each case separately as it arises, without necessarily considering broader patterns or trends.

In an incident-driven model, the police may respond reactively to situations as they occur, focusing on immediate resolution and resolution of specific incidents instead of applying systemic changes based on recurring problems or anticipating future issues. This can result in a more fragmented approach to policing, where resources are allocated based on the urgency and nature of single incidents rather than a holistic strategy that addresses underlying issues or community needs systematically.

This concept contrasts with other models that might involve proactive strategies, such as the analysis of criminal trends over time to inform policing decisions, mobilizing community resources to address crime collaboratively, or emphasizing preventive measures to mitigate incidents before they occur.