Opinion

OPINION: New technologies such as computer vision and machine learning are transforming CCTV and enhancing public safety. James Slessor, Managing Director of Accenture Public Safety, explores the possibilities of the new generation of CCTV.

OPINION: Following the publication of David Anderson QC's review of the four terrorist attacks this year, Ian Wiggett, formerly Assistant Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, examines the wider issues. While counter-terror policing relies on striking the balance between resources, powers and human rights, local policing teams can expect greater demands to be placed on them. 

OPINION: Last week, @WeCops hosted a Twitter chat on how austerity had affected policing. Serving officer Gareth Stubbs discusses the responses and what it tells us about the state of policing, and the need for police organisations to take trauma and wellbeing seriously.

OPINION: Arrests of football fans have fallen by 14% according to recent figures - but the numbers don't tell the whole story. Anecdotal evidence suggests that fans still face confrontational policing and aggressive stewarding at matches. Chief Supt. Owen West calls for clubs, fans and police forces to come together to change the match day dynamic.

OPINION: As they commence a new national research project into Special Constabulary leadership, Dr Iain Britton and Dr Carol Borland-Jones of the Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice at the University of Northampton, discuss why they feel the leadership of Special Constabularies is such an important issue, and raise some key debates.

Interview: This weekend (9-10 December), in the wake of the College of Policing’s Everyday Innovation conference and in the run up to CoPaCC’s thematic report into police ICT, Hack the Police 2 will bring developers and frontline officers together to take innovative ideas and put them into action in a sequel to the UK’s first and original policing hackathon. We interview one of the organisers, Edwin Burns of the Forensic Psychology Unit at Goldsmiths (University of London), ahead of the event.

OPINION: The 24th annual Lord Ferrers Awards, which recognise the contributions of Police Support Volunteers, Special Constables and Volunteer Police Cadets, took place in London on Tuesday 28th November. Dr Iain Britton, a member of the panel of judges for the awards this year, reflects on the inspirational individuals and teams who were awarded for their voluntary contributions.

OPINION: Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner has become the latest PCC to appoint outside expertise in the form of a new Deputy to help drive the county's response to modern slavery. Justine Currell explains why she is the right person for the role. 

OPINION: The Valuing Victims report by the charity, Why me?, revealed wide variations in PCC spending on RJ schemes. In the second of two articles, Richard Monkhouse, the charity's chair, says the findings also demonstrate the benefits of restorative justice.

OPINION: Zoe Dronfield was the victim of a horrific attack by her ex-partner. It later came to light that she was his 14th victim, but she had no idea of his violent past when she met him. Zoe now campaigns for greater protection for all from domestic abuse and stalking, including the setting up of a national stalker register.

OPINION: There is an increasing and understandable buzz around blockchain and its potential to solve data sharing issues in the criminal justice system. However, caution is required. Lars Davies, CEO of Kalypton explains.

OPINION: Cost-saving measures to be introduced next year will reduce the number of households that the Crime Survey England and Wales can interview. Emma Williams of Canterbury Christ Church University and Dr Helen Innes of Cardiff University explain the implications.

With so much on our plates, it is very tempting to dive straight into action, rather than taking a few minutes to scan the horizon. Jonathan Rees, who works with bluelight services, offers some guidance on the benefits of seeing the bigger picture.

OPINION: London has recently experienced a big rise in moped-related crimes. James Treadwell, Professor In Criminology at Staffordshire University, explodes some myths about the spike and looks at why it's happening - and why it might get worse.

OPINION: With some eighty per cent of complainants dissatisfied with the IPCC, is it time for a fundamental change? Emilie Sundorph of the thinktank Reform examines the evidence.

Interview: Four years ago, Matthew Ellis, Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, commissioned a report that would redefine the police service's entire approach to those with mental health problems. Now, just as legislation comes into force banning the use of police cells as a place of safety for under 18s and restricting their use for adults detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983, Mr Ellis says there remains unresolved issues and it's time to revisit the debate.  

Opinion: Hosted by the Police ICT Company, the National Police Technology Council and Cityforum, the third annual Digital Policing Summit gathered technology and security professionals, police policymakers and government representatives to discuss the digital challenges, changes and opportunities faced by UK police in 2017. Thomas Drohan, Commercial Director for Clue, outlines five critical issues raised by the event.

OPINION: A form of predictive policing, the Suspect Targeting Management Plan, has been in operation in Australia for 17 years. Dr Vicki Sentas of the University of New South Wales warns that the programme is racialised, targeted overwhelmingly at young people, and damaging and disruptive to their lives.

OPINION: Is the College of Policing working as well as it should be? Serving officer Nathan Constable says the relationship between the College and serving officers is strained, and sets out an urgent plea for the College to reflect and rebuild - before it's too late.

OPINION: Is the Scottish Police Authority too close to the Scottish government - and if so, what does this mean for holding Scottish policing to account? Independent researcher Kath Murray and former president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents Niven Rennie examine the state of the SPA.

Opinion: When an officer is medically retired with an injury on duty award, their financial security should be the least of their worries. However, the Injury On Duty Pensioners Association say police cuts have driven some forces to relentlessly and, in some cases, unlawfully review and reduce their pensions in a bid to save money. 

Opinion: Police crackdowns on prostitution isolate sex workers and undermine their safety. With poverty fuelling prostitution, the English Prostitutes Collective argues decriminalisation is overdue and current resources used to police consenting sex should be redirected into investigating rape and other violent crimes.

OPINION: The Angiolini Review examining deaths and serious incident in police custody was published this week. Police Inspector Michael Brown, author of Mental Health Cop Blog, explores the issues raised by the report.

INTERVIEW: The Police Now programme was first introduced in 2015 and has already trained nearly 400 new graduates to become neighbourhood police officers. This financial year it was awarded £3.5m from the Police Transformation Fund. Programme Director Kurtis Christoforides tells Policing Insight what’s next for the organisation.