Features

OPINION: Richard Rhodes, the Conservative PCC for Cumbria talks about the challenges facing a rural police force and why all merger plans must be resisted.

ANALYSIS: Paul Grady and Stephanie Liu from leading police auditors Grant Thornton, examine the key areas of challenge faced by police audit committees: engaging with the wider organisation; effective risk management; and integrated governance and the role of the audit committee.

OPINION: Matthew Ellis contributes his views to the consultation on a new delivery model for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFARS) and argues that an integrated police and fire service should be considered.

ANALYSIS: Simon Bullock takes a look at the "Reshaping Policing for the Public" discussion paper recently published by the advisory group on the national debate on policing in austerity. Can the report help bridge the fundamental difference of opinion between policy makers and police leaders?

OPINION: Jon Harvey provides his impressions from the launch last week of the report by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, on leadership, ethics and accountability in policing plus a personal response by Lord Bew the committee chairman, addressing the six key questions Jon raises.

ANALYSIS: This article, by a former Chief Constable now Chairman of the Yorkshire Ambulance NHS Trust, is the first in an occasional series taking a high level look at the work of key criminal justice, emergency service and other policing partners.

OPINION: Former Conservative MP and successful businessman Sir Graham Bright talks about putting victims first and changing the culture of policing.

OPINION: The debate on moving away from a police performance target culture continues. Simon Guilfoyle argues that the concept of ditching targets needs wider thought about how police performance management can evolve in their absence.

EXCLUSIVE: The Committee on Standards in Public Life have published their report today with the results of an inquiry into local policing - accountability, ethics and leadership, in response to criticism relating to standards issues in the new model of policing accountability. Committee member David Prince exclusively shares his thoughts on the findings with Policing Insight.

OPINION: Supt Paul Clements of the City of London Police sets out his personal experience of the "Direct Entry Superintendents" scheme

ANALYSIS: DCC Thompson of West Midlands Police outlines the innovative WMP2020 blueprint to define a future operating model that encompasses the future capabilities, culture, relationships and technology that West Midlands Police will need to be effective and affordable by 2020.

ANALYSIS: Jennifer Norman and Emma Williams of Canterbury Christ Church University examine how police forces and others can reduce attrition in the investigation of sexual violence.

OPINION: Former airline pilot Ron Ball, the Independent PCC for Warwickshire, talks to Nick Alatti about alliances, cuts and Plebgate.

OPINION: Elizabeth Crowhurst, a commentator on criminal justice reform argues that despite some progress, policing still requires radical reform over the next five years to meet the challenges of reduced resources and new types of crime.

OPINION: Academic and former Thames Valley Police chief constable, Peter Neyroud argues that policing needs to move beyond the debate of targets v no targets.

ANALYSIS: Miranda Carruthers-Watt, former OPCC Chief Executive and author of the Local Government Association "Good practice for police and crime panels" guidance document, examines likely future scrutiny challenges for Panels

OPINION: Kate Hall's campaign for fairer treatment of police widows has attracted over 75,000 signatories to her online petition. She needs 25,000 more signatures to bring the issue formally to Parliament's attention. Kate sets out how police widows are unfairly treated, notes that changes have already been made to police pension rules in Northern Ireland, and asks for your support for her petition.

OPINION: A transcript of the Victims' Commissioner, Baroness Newlove's memorable, moving and informative speech at the opening of Compass House, a new victim and witness support facility in Kent.

OPINION: PCC for Kent Ann Barnes looks back over a stormy tenure in office but says she has come through it more resilient and committed than ever. But is she prepared to run again in May 2016?

ANALYSIS: Policing Insight analyses the report for the Prime Minister by David Anderson QC, the independent reviewer of surveillance legislation, which makes a compelling case for replacing the current “fragmented” legislative position.

ANALYSIS: Richard Garside suggests that crime statistics may be better recorded by an independent body.

OPINION: Jon Collins discusses the measures required to ensure restorative justice delivers and how that success can be measured.

OPINION: Former county councillor turned PCC for Derbyshire, Alan Charles, argues for a grown-up debate on drugs policy, more powers for PCCs and a cautious approach to privatisation.

OPINION: With budget challenges and greater demands on police officers and staff, Elena Collins asks whether policing has the leaders it needs and what makes a good leader.