Fairfax police appoint new director of crime control strategies: Using data analytics as a superpower in fighting crime
FAIRFAX
COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) announced
the promotion of Elizabeth Quintana to Director of Crime Control Strategies
& Data Analytics.
FCPD said it is expected to improve safety around the county through data and
research in the continued effort to fight crime and tackle repeat offenders.
Quintana said her team
doesn’t necessarily patrol the streets but they are a key part of crime control
in Fairfax County through data analytics.
“They may not carry a
badge but they are heroes in the crime fight and their superpower is using
information to help solve crime and reduce it as well,” said Quintana.
Director Quintana joined
FCPD eight years ago as a Crime Analyst for the Mason District, supporting numerous
criminal investigations and providing analysis on crime patterns and repeat
offenders for commanders and patrol officers, according to FCPD.
“They are out there
reading the police reports and bulletins and informing police commanders where
crime is occurring, when crime is occurring and what is motivating those
instances of crime,” said Quintana.
Part of her job is to
reduce repeat offenders. FCPD said she played a major role in a training
program for new crime analysts and served on the Crisis Negotiations Team for
four years.
“We have dashboards that
are available to the commanders and they can look at certain patrol areas or
specific crime types," Quintana added.
The
goal is to reduce and prevent crime –-- by looking at data and information,
then deciding where to use resources, and where to deploy officers, especially
in problem spots or where repeat crimes happen.