"Cops and Robbers: Looking at the Interdependent Relationship Between P" by Matthew Cole

Article Title

Cops and Robbers: Looking at the Interdependent Relationship Between Police and Crime Using Differential Equations

Authors

Matthew Cole, University of Northern Iowa

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This paper devises a system of differential equations to model the dual dependency of police and crime, based on a predator/prey relationship. It emphasizes the complexity of the relationship and shows how empirical research can be skewed if it only focuses on a limited time interval. The system of differential equations explains why some researchers have come to the mistaken conclusion that hiring more police induces more crime, and gives policy makers better information with which to make decisions.

Publication Date

Spring 2001

Journal Title

Major Themes in Economics

Volume

Issue

First Page

Last Page

Copyright

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Language

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Cole, Matthew (2001) "Cops and Robbers: Looking at the Interdependent Relationship Between Police and Crime Using Differential Equations," Major Themes in Economics, 3, 17-32.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/mtie/vol3/iss1/4