Analysis

Analysis: The unveiling by the College of Policing (CoP) of a new Police Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF) last month prompted some strong reactions and a heated debate, with the announcement that by 2020 all new recruits would be educated to degree level (either before joining the service, or during their first three years in the job) proving the most controversial issue.

ANALYSIS: Research shows that 'hate crime' - being abused or attacked because of personal identity - can have a powerful emotional effect. But for police officers, it's often regarded as part of the job. Dr Irene Zempi outlines police experiences of abuse, and calls for a debate about the proper response to the targeted victimisation of officers.

analysis: Sixteen years ago, I interviewed a custody officer who, tired of waiting for the much delayed NSPIS Case Preparation and Custody IT system, worked with a supplier to develop his own version for his force. The experience summed up Police IT then and for many years to come.

LONG READ: The mass retention of data, even for the prevention of terrorism and serious crime, needs to be carefully justified. However, when it comes to Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), there appears to be a gap in the oversight regime. Professor Lorna Woods of Essex University warns that police use of ANPR data is exposed to legal challenge, with potentially serious consequences.

ANALYSIS: For the first time in 100 years, the Office of National Statistics has begun to issue crime statistics that include a measure of harm. Mark Bangs, Deputy Head of Crime Statistics at the ONS, explains more about the new Crime Severity Statistics - and how you can get involved.

ANALYSIS: Many people believe that eyewitness identification is inherently unreliable, and this belief is reflected in scholarly articles, textbooks, and juror briefings. Laura Mickes argues that not only are eyewitness IDs potentially more reliable than commonly assumed, but that small changes to criminal justice procedure could significantly increase the reliability of such testimony.

2016 Review: Policing Insight Publisher and CoPaCC Chief Executive, Bernard Rix, identifies the "must read" Policing Insight articles from 2016. Do you have a favourite? And which others would YOU highlight?

ANALYSIS: NPC recently organised a round-table event, in partnership with the Police Foundation, to discuss the opportunities for collaboration between PCCs and charities. Grace Wyld, an NPC Researcher, identifies the key messages emerging from that event. 

ANALYSIS: The Police Foundation recently held their Annual Conference, which focused on understanding the policing implications of a digital age. Dr Rick Muir here identifies eight key policing and criminal justice challenges posed by a digitally networked society.

ANALYSIS: Vulnerability in policing is usually taken to mean the way that the police deal with vulnerable victims. However, as shown by last week's College of Policing conference on vulnerability, increasing attention is now being paid to the vulnerability and wellbeing of police officers themselves. Emma Williams of Canterbury Christ Church University and Dr Ian Hesketh, Senior Advisor to the CoP, explore the issues and call for more research.

ANALYSIS: Gavin Hales, Deputy Director of the Police Foundation, takes a look at new research by the Foundation on the governance of specialist policing capabilities. Funded by the APCC and NPCC, the research identifies four key factors for 'good governance' of the Networked Policing Model.

ANALYSIS: The way that Police and Crime Commissioners are elected is set to change, from the current Supplementary Vote system to the more common First Past the Post. Policing Insight's editor, Carina O'Reilly, examines what the changes could mean for future PCC elections, and warns that the winners of future contests will increasingly be determined by local party political dominance, rather than individual competence.

ANALYSIS: CoPaCC Chief Executive Bernard Rix takes a first look at today's announcement by the Home Office of which forces and PCCs have been successful in their bids for Police Transformation Fund support.

ANALYSIS: This week, during a reception at the Tower of London to mark the Police Dependants' Trust's 50th anniversary, the Trust announced the findings of research they commissioned on the ‘invisible injuries’ of UK policing. Gill Scott- Moore, Trust Chief Executive, explains...

ANALYSIS: It's International Restorative Justice week. Do the police REALLY understand the strengths and processes associated with RJ? Jon Collins, CEO of the Restorative Justice Council, provides some much-needed clarity...

OPINION: Bernard Rix, CoPaCC Chief Executive and Publisher of Policing Insight, provides his first reaction to this week's announcement of "Policing Vision 2025".

ANALYSIS: Ian Wiggett, CoPaCC Associate and former Greater Manchester ACC, explains how the economics and operational demands of local regions will determine the success or failure of collaboration between the police and fire services in the UK

ANALYSIS: As the NPCC/APCC Conference continues into its second day in London, Tom Gash - a speaker at the conference on Day One - takes a look at the politics of police leadership.

LONG READ: High profile shootings like that of Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell Station in 2005 exposed weaknesses in the accountability mechanism around the police use of fatal force. Maurice Punch, Ralph Crawshaw and Geoffrey Markham, QPM argue that the issue has largely been dealt with through fudge, fiction and a refusal to acknowledge changing realities - leaving individual firearms officers to carry the can.

ANALYSIS: Former Chief Constable Nick Gargan reviews the contributions to the CoPaCC Police and Fire Mergers and Collaboration Report and gives his view on the outlook for the future

ANALYSIS: Catherine Levin looks at the results of CoPaCC's survey of police and fire collaboration among the 40 PCCs in England and Wales and shares an early insight into the evolution of this area

ANALYSIS: In October, Lord Toby Harris published his review of London’s preparedness for terrorist attacks, commissioned by the Mayor of London. Former Greater Manchester ACC Ian Wiggett examines the report's implications for the country, not just the capital.

ANALYSIS: Holly Bontoft, an associate in Fieldfisher's Public and Regulatory Law team, examines today's High Court judgment and argues that it "appears to make some extremely strong arguments for an Act of Parliament being required". Read Holly's detailed view, then download the full CoPaCC Thematic on "Brexit: Implications for Policing and Security".

ANALYSIS: A new offence of “controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship" has been used just 62 times in six months. Charlotte Bishop of Exeter University explains how the way evidence and testimony is used in court makes it very hard to prove a relationship is coercive.