Final answer:
Yes, it is true that Canada has had fewer evaluations of specific policing initiatives compared to the United States. However, targeted and community-oriented policing strategies are generally effective. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
To the question of whether evaluations of the effectiveness of specific policing initiatives are less frequent in Canada as compared to the United States, the answer would be true. The available literature suggests that there is a lack of extensive evaluation of specific policing strategies in Canada.
However, it is important to note that policing and crime prevention strategies can be quite effective when they are highly targeted, involve community-oriented approaches, and rely on building trust within communities.
For example, targeted foot patrols in crime hotspots and improvements such as neighborhood watch programs and better street lighting have been shown to reduce crime. Moreover, technologies such as CCTV and body cameras on police officers have the potential to reduce misconduct and crime, though targeted deployment is crucial for effectiveness.
Hence, Option a is correct.