The concept of evidence-based policing is a relatively new approach to policing that has been drawing the attention of the scientific and professional public for more than two decades, and which was inspired by a broader movement, based on the notion of "evidence-based practice". Around the world associations (so called societies) have been set up to advance the idea of evidence-based policing trough conducting and disseminating police research. The intention of the academic and professional community is to create a knowledge base that will assist the police in making decisions regarding the implementation of particular strategies and tactics in order to achieve the desired goal. Despite the current relevance of this issue, a previously conducted survey among police officers and police educators from these areas has shown that a large number of them are not yet aware of the concept mentioned above. Bearing this in mind, as well as the fact that the majority of the respondents stated that they turn to journal Bezbednost when acquiring information about the latest topics and trends in the field of policing, the author here seeks to give brief but comprehensive description of the new concept. In order to make this possible, the first part of the paper gives an overview of the notion of evidence-based medicine and the early origins of the idea of evidence-based policing. The second part of the paper is devoted to defining the notion of evidence-based policing and to more closely defining the term "evidence" in this context. Finally, a model is presented, created by Sherman, that represents the proposed framework for incorporating this concept into the police decision-making process.
NEW APPROACHES TO DESIGN PRACTICE
