ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the evaluation of Operation Anchorage, a major intelligence-led, burglary-reduction operation conducted in the Australian capital, Canberra, because it contains many key points regarding intelligence-led policing. The Australian capital territory (ACT) is a small jurisdiction with reasonable policing numbers; however Operation Anchorage drew resources from many different areas including Intelligence, Investigations, General Duties, Traffic Operations and Forensic Services which diverted resources for a prolonged period. Assessing the success of police operations generally, it is also possible to explore the costs involved in particular aspects of work associated with intelligence-led policing and the cost-benefit of surveillance and confidential informants, disruption activities, and any benefits accrued through changing business practice. Performance indicators have become a fixation for a number of police services. Some within police managerial ranks have become fascinated with the hope of being able to manage by setting objectives dictated to the lower ranks and evaluated through spreadsheets.
