Résumé
Intelligence led policing is now a term in common usage within Australian law enforcement. This paper considers the origins, definition and aims of intelligence led policing, as well as a model of how it should work, through interpretation of the criminal environment, influence on decision makers, and subsequent impact on the criminal environment. The paper also discusses the integration of intelligence led policing into the policing paradigm and the threats and opportunities presented by this type of operational practice, concluding that the drive towards intelligence led policing has to be tempered by realistic expectations. As the police have only a limited ability to impact on crime levels, and as there is a growing recognition in policing that external agencies such as housing, health and education departments may hold the key to long term crime reduction, increased sharing of intelligence beyond the limits of law enforcement may see a more substantial reduction in crime. If employed in this more effective manner, intelligence led policing might better be named 'intelligence led crime reduction'.