ANALYSIS: Should the Scottish Government go ahead with its planned integration of the British Transport Police (BTP) into Police Scotland? Kath Murray looks at the implications of the proposal - and warns that the case for integration needs to be made much clearer.
ANALYSIS: The 101 service for non-urgent calls to the police has come under increasing pressure in many forces across the country. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many calls aren't about issues the police can deal with. After analysing data from hundreds of thousands of 101 calls, Michael Sanders and Simon Ruda of the Behavioural Insights Team argue that just a six second ring time could slash inappropriate calls, and free up the 101 service for those who need to get through.
ANALYSIS: Controversial predictive tools for offender management are increasingly being used in the US to determine sentencing. Marion Oswald (Winchester University) and Jamie Grace (Sheffield Hallam University) examine the use of algorithmic risk assessment tools, and call for an open debate in the UK about where the red lines should be.
ANALYSIS: Rick Muir, Director of the Police Foundation, identifies a wide set of challenges faced by police, and argues that tackling those deep rooted problems associated with these challenges cannot be undertaken by the police alone.
ANALYSIS: With the newly elected PCCs coming to the end of their first 80 days in the job, what lessons might there be from the first set of incumbents? Dr Matthew Davies of RAND Europe outlines the findings of his report, Driving accountability from within: Key lessons for newly elected Police and Crime Commissioners.
ANALYSIS: Gavin Hales, Deputy Director of the Police Foundation, introduces the Foundation's latest report which draws on a five-year research project. Gavin will be leading a Twitter discussion of this at 1100hrs on Wednesday 20 July.
ANALYSIS: What works in protecting homes against burglary? Dr Rebecca Thompson and Professor Andromachi Tseloni examine the evidence as to which security devices are actually effective in lessening household burglaries.
ANALYSIS: How do diversity targets affect recruitment and promotion in policing? Gareth Stubbs argues that targets have damaging unintended consequences, and are standing in for far more difficult conversations about broken relationships and a lack of community trust.
ANALYSIS: Police and Crime Panels were set up to scrutinise Police and Crime Commissioners, but how successful have they been? Former senior police officer Roy Bailey finds that a lot of work needs to be done to make PCPs more effective in their key role of holding PCCs to account.
ANALYSIS: As the full ramifications of the recent Brexit vote become clear, Chief Inspector Lee Gosling explores the potential impact of a complete withdrawal from the EU on UK pan-European policing functions, outlining how each aspect of co-operation with Europe currently works, and how it will need to be unravelled or replaced.
ANALYSIS: The shocking murder of Jo Cox MP has brought into sharp focus the personal safety of MPs, PCCs and other political representatives. Carina O'Reilly looks at how we balance the protection of our democratic representatives with preserving their accessibility to the people they serve.
ANALYSIS: What's the point of NCALT e-learning in the police service, and why is it so disliked? Rich Honess and Dan Reynolds write up a debate held last week on @wecops. Dan is a front line ‘thinking cop' who holds a seat on the College of Policing Membership committee, offering advice to the College board. He is passionate about evidence based policing and a member of the SEBP.
ANALYSIS: What can be achieved and delivered by volunteers in policing? In the sixth of our blogs celebrating volunteers' week, Dr Matt Callender of the University of Northampton outlines two exciting new research projects aimed at understanding the activities and skills of Special Constables.
ANALYSIS: What is the role of local authorities in the fight against organised crime? Ahead of a Public Policy Exchange event on 7th June, Dr Anna Sergi of the University of Essex warns that none of our communities are immune from the threat.
ANALYSIS: New media guidelines proposed by the College of Policing could impose strict new rules on contacts between police officers and journalists. Carina O'Reilly asks if they will protect the police, or smother vital relationships built on mutual understanding.
ANALYSIS: Ahead of the imminent, potentially massive, changes to Fire and Rescue Service organisation and structure, former Editor of Policing Today Philip Mason asks if the government has learnt from mistakes made during its parallel reform of the Police Service
