Predictive policing in Sweden: the case of STATUS

The chapter examines the impact of the STATUS system, licenced from the private company Qlik, on the implementation of crime policy in Sweden. The Swedish police are placed at the forefront of police science through the early strategic use of computer science and digital tools. Following the integration of various smaller subsystems from the 90s, STATUS was developed in 2005 and has been in operation since 2015, integrating various applications to visualise data on the Swedish police intranet. It supports decision-making at multiple levels by providing a common platform for all police staff. While effective in crime analysis, STATUS lacks advanced predictive capabilities. The system's dual nature supports both bottom-up knowledge production and top-down policies, emphasising interoperability, which enhances methodical policing capabilities but raises security and accountability concerns. The chapter also explores the concept of police science, highlighting how historical developments in Swedish police unification and technological advancements have shaped modern policing. Understanding the genealogy and historical context of these technologies is crucial for comprehending their future implications.