Start Date
23-4-2026 12:00 AM
Description
This research investigates trends of dispatch and staffing data for a small suburban police department in Missouri. One of the goals of this research is to look into the staffing trends of the officers. By analyzing trends in the clock-on/clock-off data of these officers, we enable the police department to more efficiently place their resources during busy periods and to predict days that have been busy in the past. In addition, we explore the relationship between different aspects of weather and the number of events that occur in a day, which could further improve staffing. Finally, we analyze the effect of location on number of events by mapping occurrences by street name, which could be used to improve logistics and resource allocation. By looking into the various aspects of our data, we give a well-rounded analysis of the efficiency of the police department. To help the police department understand seasonal and geospatial trends in events that require officers to respond. Furthermore, by providing insights from an outside perspective, the police department may be able to adjust different aspects of their everyday operations to become better integrated into the local community.
Research Highlights
The Problem: Researchers sought to address the need for more efficient resource placement and administrative planning for a small suburban police department by identifying seasonal, geospatial, and environmental trends in dispatch events.
The Method: Researchers analyzed a dataset of 298,518 logged events from 2015–2025, officer clock-in/clock-out records, and lunar illumination data using R-based processing, Dunn’s Post-Hoc testing, and LOESS temporal modeling.
Quantitative Finding: Analysis of 27 descriptive variables revealed a significant surge in activity during January–March and a volume dip during June–July; Tuesday was identified as a highly significant day for call volume compared to Sunday; dispatcher workload shifts included Follow-up Investigations occurring primarily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Qualitative Finding: Findings indicate no correlation between lunar cycles (moon illumination) and dispatch volume; precipitation and extreme temperatures do not significantly impact service demands; patrol efficiency can be improved by focusing on subdivision checks (midnight–6:00 AM), business checks (6:00 AM–midnight), and staggering officer shift changes by 15–30 minutes.
Recommended Citation
Rain, Andrew; Demarest, Callie; Snyder, Desi; and Baur, Seth, "Statistical Analysis of Dispatch Data for a Mid-Sized Exurb of a Midwestern City" (2026). 2026 Student Academic Showcase. 16.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/src_2026/Posters/1/16
Included in
Statistical Analysis of Dispatch Data for a Mid-Sized Exurb of a Midwestern City
This research investigates trends of dispatch and staffing data for a small suburban police department in Missouri. One of the goals of this research is to look into the staffing trends of the officers. By analyzing trends in the clock-on/clock-off data of these officers, we enable the police department to more efficiently place their resources during busy periods and to predict days that have been busy in the past. In addition, we explore the relationship between different aspects of weather and the number of events that occur in a day, which could further improve staffing. Finally, we analyze the effect of location on number of events by mapping occurrences by street name, which could be used to improve logistics and resource allocation. By looking into the various aspects of our data, we give a well-rounded analysis of the efficiency of the police department. To help the police department understand seasonal and geospatial trends in events that require officers to respond. Furthermore, by providing insights from an outside perspective, the police department may be able to adjust different aspects of their everyday operations to become better integrated into the local community.