Analysis

UK PCC ELECTIONS 2021: As the dust slowly settles on the 2021 police and crime commissioner (PCC) elections, and those in post start to implement their manifestos, Professor Peter Joyce (Wrexham Glyndŵr University) and Dr Wendy Laverick (University of Hull) take a closer look at the election process – who fought on what issues, how the parties fared, the profiles of those now in office, and what the challenges will be for PCCs going forwards.

FEATURE: A six-month secondment to Police Scotland enabled two Vietnamese officers to support the force’s work targeting organised crime groups involved in trafficking people into the country from Vietnam; Policing Insight Deputy Editor Sarah Gibbons spoke to Detective Superintendent Fil Capaldi, Police Scotland’s lead for modern slavery and human trafficking, about the ‘lawfully audacious and exploratory approach’.

ANALYSIS : Are police and crime commissioners fit for purpose? In the wake of the May elections, Dr Simon Cooper of the University of Essex, unveils new research which suggests stark differences in the calibre of PCCs – with some identified as ‘ill-equipped’ for the job.

ANALYSIS: The results of a recent survey of New Zealand Police Association members have confirmed high levels of post-traumatic stress (PTS) among both serving and former and serving officers, and underlined the need for greater support and services for those experiencing the effects of PTS.

ANALYSIS: A new report by the New Zealand Law Commission has set out 193 recommendations to overhaul the use of DNA in criminal investigation; but Professor Carrie Leonetti of the University of Auckland believes the report still overlooks key issues in the use of the country’s DNA databank in relation to over-representation of Māori, the use of familial searches, and concerns over privacy, discrimination and consent.

FEATURE: A unique collaboration between the UK’s Joint International Policing Hub (JIPH) and the People’s Police Academy in Vietnam has led to a lasting legacy for Vietnamese police training in tackling human trafficking; DI Mark O’Donoghue of the JIPH spoke to Policing Insight Deputy Editor Sarah Gibbons about the project.

FEATURE: The idea of drug-filled submarines bringing cocaine from Colombia to Europe may seem more suited to the cinema screen than the Atlantic, but as Policing insight’s Chris Allen reports, recent seizures would suggest that narco-subs built in South America are now able to travel much longer distances, bringing their lethal cargo to a much larger market.

ANALYSIS: A research project to collate audio diaries from serving UK police officers has highlighted the impact that stress and emotional suppression is having on their mental health; Former detective inspector Sarah-Jane Lennie, now a Chartered Psychologist and Researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University, outlines the findings from the project, and the implications for policing and police officers.

FEATURE: The various COVID-19 lockdowns have prompted criminal activity to move increasingly online, with illicit financial transactions following suit; ahead of next week’s We Fight Fraud online conference, Dr Nicola Harding outlines the findings of a new white paper which reveal how low-level criminal commerce is increasingly becoming part of the cashless society.

ANALYSIS: Many people – including police officers – base their ability to detect liars on faulty logic, false promises and unreliable cues; Detective Chief Superintendent Colin Paine, and University of Portsmouth Teaching Fellow Cody Porter, expose some of the myths around lie detection, and highlight the latest evidence-based approaches to identifying the truth.

ANALYSIS: More than a year after Sir Craig Mackey submitted his review of UK serious organised crime, last month the Government published an ‘Executive Summary’ only, adding that plans to tackle SOC would now come under the Integrated Security Review; Policing Insight's Ian Wiggett reports on the challenges, concerns and lack of detail in the fight against organised crime.

FEATURE: In his recently published second review of UK anti-terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall QC, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, has called for new police powers to tackle digital encryption; Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth explains why such powers are desperately needed to keep up with advances in technology.

UK PCC ELECTIONS 2021: With just over two weeks until the police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales, Policing Insight’s in-depth coverage is underway; Policing Insight’s Publisher Bernard Rix takes a look at the likely open contests, safe seats, and those too close to call.

FEATURE: Forty years ago this month, rioting erupted in Brixton – and later in 1981 across the country – leading to one of the most significant inquiries into policing in the UK; in the second half of a two-part feature, Dr Wendy Laverick of Hull University and Professor Peter Joyce of Wrexham Glyndŵr University explore the impact of Lord Scarman’s recommendations, and their legacy on key areas of police reform.

FEATURE: The recent riots in Northern Ireland have been blamed on the Brexit sea border controversy and the decision not to prosecute Republican mourners over a COVID-19 funeral breach; but a recent review of terrorism legislation warns that delays and failures in the country’s criminal justice system could exacerbate the issues, as Policing insight’s Andrew Staniforth explains.

ANALYSIS: With countries across Europe engaged in their own efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, the latest Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment from Europol suggests COVID-19 could be a key driver in future organised crime, alongside geopolitical changes and the online criminal economy, reports Policing Insight Deputy Editor Sarah Gibbons.

UK PCC ELECTIONS 2021: With less than two months to go to the police and crime commissioner elections for the English and Welsh forces, Policing Insight is launching its in-depth coverage. We’ll be constantly updating our tracker so you’ll be able to check out the candidates as they declare their intention to stand. Policing Insight’s Publisher Bernard Rix takes a look at the field so far.

ANALYSIS: Vulnerability is increasingly important to operational policing - but how can these complex narratives be best embedded in police education? Jennifer Norman and Dr Emma Williams of the Open University discuss the development of an interdisciplinary approach.

ANALYSIS: Despite frequent large seizures and law enforcement agency successes, the supply of illicit drugs into Australia continues to grow; In their latest report, Dr John Coyne and Dr Teagan Westendorf of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute examine the expanding nature of the country’s international narcotics supply chain, and what steps can be taken to disrupt it.

FEATURE: As religious worshippers around the world celebrate Easter – one of the main events in the Christian calendar – Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth reports on latest efforts by law enforcement agencies across Europe to protect places of worship from terrorist attack and hate crimes.

ANALYSIS: A new report on the global illicit economy and the activities of transnational organised crime groups has warned that the impact of the pandemic could see many criminal networks growing in power and influence; Policing Insight’s Chris Allen looks at the predicted trajectory for OCGs, as well as some of the steps that could be taken to halt them.

ANALYSIS: While the UK, North America and Europe have taken steps to list violent far-right groups as terrorist organisations, Australia has been slower to make the same move; Analyst Dr Teagan Westendorf of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute believes it’s important to do so soon – and in a meaningful way – to enable police to tackle the threat.

ANALYSIS: The Victims’ Commissioner recently called for enhanced support measures under a new Victims Law. One of her more ambitious proposals is the introduction of free and independent lawyers to support rape victims on issues of privacy. Ellen Daly and Dr Olivia Smith of Loughborough University evaluate the scheme and show that legal representation can benefit victims and investigating officers without detriment to fair trial.

FEATURE: Children as young as eight were among rioters involved in six nights of violence in Northern Ireland’s Derry City in 2018, caught up in the sectarian conflict orchestrated by paramilitary gangs; since then a new diversion initiative, led by youth services and involving police and other agencies, has had a significant positive impact, as Policing Insight Contributing Editor Tina Orr Munro reports.