Page 14 - Texas Police Journal November- December 2013

EDITOR’S NOTE
During the curriculum planning process which followed the Texas Legislature’s creation of what
was originally known as the Law Enforcement Management Institute (now The Bill Blackwood
Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas) in the late 1980’s, the curriculum committee
identified the need for each candidate to research a topic of importance to the candidate or
his/her department and write an academically acceptable paper on their findings. These
research papers currently reside in the Sam Houston State University Library in Huntsville. It is
our intention to publish selected papers in the Texas Police Journal from time to time in an effort
to showcase the work of the candidates and to provide valuable information to our readers.

The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas

Enhancing Stalking Investigations and

Building Community Coalitions for

Effective Prosecutions

By David M. Scott, Ph.D, Longview Police Department
Longview, Texas, July 2013

ABSTRACT The information that supports the thesis of this
In law enforcement, there is a deficiency in research is from academic journals, peer
investigating stalking crimes. The absence of reviews, and documents from the internet. The
quality training and policies for police officers concepts of this study are to address the need for
who investigate stalking crimes increases the better training in stalking investigations, not just
likelihood that stalkers will continue to torment for police, but for all the relevant stakeholders,
or possibly kill the victims. Of the stalking with an effort to better understand the dynamics
offenders who are arrested for stalking, very few and dangers of stalking for first responders.
receive convictions or the charges are Finally, the research will address the needs of the
downgraded to lesser criminal offenses. This victims during the investigation and, more
research will assist police officers; managers; importantly, his or her needs after the initial
advocates; and local community members in police report. The research concluded that
understanding the signs, indicators, and dangers stalking is not a private matter that does affect
of stalking. The premise of this study is that law not only the police, but the community.
enforcement should provide more investigative Proactive approaches to working with the
training and attention to victims regarding victims of stalking at a multidisciplinary level
stalking investigations in order to enhance a will increase the likelihood of a more successful
successful prosecutorial outcome in Texas, while prosecutorial outcome and assist the victim in a
at the same time assisting victims in the recovery faster recovery process.
process by building multidisciplinary teams.

12 www.texaspoliceassociation.com • 866-997-8282 Texas Police Journal