Features

analysis: While the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners has brought benefits to policing such as greater accountability, research carried out by Dr Steve Watts has revealed significant concerns among chief constables that the power imbalance between PCCs and chiefs threatens the operational delivery of policing.

Insight: While news headlines often focus on those forces that are failing to record crimes, HMICFRS has judged two forces as 'outstanding' for their crime recording practices. We take a closer look at one of those forces to see how they achieved the top rating.

ANALYSIS: The latest in our Report Watch series summarises the findings of a report by the National Appropriate Adult Network - There to Help 2 - which looks at the provision of appropriate adults for vulnerable adults who have been detained or interviewed by the police.

OPINION: Crime on university campuses has made headlines in the US - but are we neglecting real risks here in the UK? Dr Brian Moss of Coventry University outlines the vulnerabilities of student life and accommodation and warns that university security needs closer attention.

Interview: Following the terrorist attacks in New Zealand and Sri Lanka, international counter-extremism expert Dr Richard Burchill explains to Policing Insight the importance of understanding the root causes of extremism as well as enhancing physical security to combat terrorism.

Opinion: Virtual courts have been heralded as a route to quicker and more effective justice, but Penelope Gibbs of Transform Justice says there is no support within policing to oversee the running of these courts.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: When Lincolnshire Police decided to transform their control room, they wanted a system that was a 'resolver of demand' rather than a conduit. Motorola Solutions' Mohammed Rafiq describes how the force's innovative approach to procurement and subsequent collaboration with Motorola helped the force achieve its aims.

OPINION: Policing Insight publisher and Bedfordshire resident, Bernard Rix, was in the audience for last week's innovative "public selection" of the next Bedfordshire Chief Constable. Here, he reflects on what he learned...

Analysis: With reports that gang violence is increasing, Dr Robert Hesketh, a lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, examines the potential benefits of 'social mixing' in helping to divert those at risk from joining gangs .

Analysis: Honorary Clinical Professor at UCL Adam Winstock and Royal Holloway PhD candidate Alex Aldridge examine the findings of The Global Drug Survey which challenges a number of "rape myths" including the idea that most women are likely to be assaulted when walking home alone.

Analysis: Continuing our series on the implications of the Data Protection Act 2018, Owen Sayers, an enterprise architect, privacy and security specialist with thirty years' experience in the CJS explains the principles of Part 3 of the Act and how they impact law enforcement.

analysis: British victims of overseas terror, already experiencing loss and horror, can return home only to be "let down" by the government. Andrew Staniforth outlines victim compensation schemes, developed in response to overseas and home terrorist attacks, and highlights the issues preventing victims from receiving proper support.

OPINION: As a Founder Sponsor of the World Class Policing Awards and a long term supporter of policing in the UK and internationally, Sopra Steria are proud to be a part of celebrating all that is great in world class policing this year. Muz Janoowalla, Head of Emergency Services at Sopra Steria, shares some of his many stories demonstrating policing at its best.

Opinion: Following an initial inspection of 14 forces as part of the PEEL Inspection process for 2018/19, HM Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr says the cracks are starting to appear in policing. But, none of HMICFRS’ concerns are new, suggesting the cracks are already there - they are just getting wider.

Analysis: There have been nine reports and reviews of forensic science over the past decade, highlighting numerous problems. The latest House of Lord's report has described the quality and delivery of forensic provision as "inadequate". Keith Potter explores the ongoing issues facing this sector and what needs to change.

Interview: EXCLUSIVE: The former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation Lord Carlile of Berriew QC CBE explains to Policing Insight the challenges of delivering Prevent, defining Islamophobia, preserving peace in Northern Ireland, and what to do about Shamima Begum.

Opinion: When software developer and Special Constable Lewis Westbury witnessed a stabbing, he realised how difficult it is to remember key details. The experience prompted the founder and volunteer coordinator for Police Rewired to develop Emergency Recorder, a volunteer project that helps people capture vital information during emergencies.

Analysis: In the second of our series on the implications of the Data Protection Act 2018, Owen Sayers, an enterprise architect, privacy and security specialist with thirty years experience in the CJS, explores how the Act fits into the EU’s General Data Protection Regulations [GDPR], which came into effect May 2018.

Opinion: This Friday (May 17), the Justice and Emergency Services Committee of TechUK will launch an initiative to get police systems 'talking to each other'. Clue's Managing Director Clare Elford explains how policing could emulate the success of an initiative in the banking sector to improve the way technology supports operational officers.

Advertisement Feature: Shape the future of public safety at Mission Critical Technologies 2019, the event addressing the global public safety market’s need to be quicker, smarter and more efficient at keeping citizens safe. In the build up to the event, Mission Critical Technologies has surveyed the top 100 public safety officers attending. Find out why they are attending and why you should too.

opinion: Special constable numbers have dropped by a third in five years. Could Employer Supported Policing (ESP) schemes help reverse the trend? Dr Iain Britton, from the Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice (IPSCJ) attended the first ESP national conference hosted by Greater Manchester Police. He reflects on the event and on the potential for employer-supported models of volunteering in policing.

Analysis: In March, 50 people were killed and a further 50 were wounded when a gunman opened fire on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Former UK police officer and now Research Fellow at Western Sydney University Alan Beckley takes an in depth look at the impact this tragedy has had on New Zealand as it seeks to make sense of what has happened and to prevent it ever happening again.

opinion: In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week and following the recent publication of the Police Care UK survey on the impact of trauma on officers and staff, Mark Eastwood, senior director of SAS-fit Limited and an expert with 20-years of experience treating complex mental health issues, explains how stigma remains a barrier to those seeking treatment.

INTERVIEW: HMICFRS has raised concerns that neighbourhood policing has been eroded and forces don't know how many neighbourhood police officers they have, but Surrey Police's new Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, who holds the neighbourhood policing portfolio, says that is about to change.