Analysis

Analysis: Several high-profile suspensions of Chief Constables by Police and Crime Commissioners have shone a spotlight on the apparent lack of guidance, scrutiny and transparency in the process. Has the time come for Police and Crime Panels to play a greater role in the proceedings?

analysis: The nature of crime is ever-changing and increasingly complex. The National Crime Agency has warned that, when it comes to innovation in policing, it is either sink or swim. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth urges the UK to look to the Netherlands as an example of innovation done well.

analysis: With Prime Minister Theresa May's departure imminent, the Tory leadership candidates are now fighting over who's tougher on crime, which, according to one poll, has become the second greatest public concern. Ian Wiggett looks at the candidates' promises, the reality of funding allocation, and potential obstacles.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Analysis: What do the latest week’s crime statistics tell us about what is happening to violence? Answering this question is not as straightforward as it might sound, with the data appearing to tell us different stories. Understanding what is happening requires both a bird’s eye and a microscopic lens, says Crest Advisory's Harvey Redgrave.

Analysis: Dr. Catriona Havard of The Open University and Dr. Martin Thirkettle of Sheffield Hallam University present their new research showing that small variations in the background colour of photo lineups can increase errors in identification of innocent suspects.

Analysis: The recent Extinction Rebellion demonstrations brought the policing of protests into sharp focus with officers' seemingly 'softly, softly' approach drawing both praise and criticism. Former Greater Manchester Police ACC Ian Wiggett argues the importance of knowing where to draw the line between engaging with protesters and 'stepping in'.

Analysis: Like all forms of extremism, the rise of the far right has been ably assisted by the internet, but now law enforcement is using technology to stem the spread of extremism. Policing Insight contributor and Senior Research Fellow at CENTRIC Andrew Staniforth examines the RED-Alert project which detects content that fuels division and hatred in real time.

INSIGHT: Can a Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) make a difference to how fire and rescue services are run? Each of the four PFCCs set out a local business case that said yes, they could do better and save cash along the way. Policing Insight takes a look at what progress has been made in the early stages of the transition to the new governance model for fire.

Analysis: As the new National Police Wellbeing Service is launched this week in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Nikola Muranova, a Policing Studies student and Lecturer Nick Kealey from the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies at Liverpool John Moores University review recent research into police officers attitudes towards mental health. 

INSIGHT: Det Ch Supt Chris Todd is the West Midlands Police Head of Professional Standards and the NPCC Lead for Data Analytics. In this exclusive article for Policing Insight, he responds to recent press coverage suggesting that the West Midlands Police Ethics Committee had "raised the alarm" over the force's potential use of a 'predictive policing' tool.

ANALYSIS: As universities and police forces move forward with the planned delivery of degree apprenticeships for new recruits, one area of focus is increasingly how those students are to be assessed. Rich Honess of Canterbury Christ Church University explains why universities love essays so much and what alternatives are possible.

ANALYSIS: At the time of the 2011 London riots, many commentators and politicians blamed the rioters rather than looking for underlying causes. However, a three-year research project suggests this was mistaken. Stephen Reicher, of the University of St Andrews; Clifford Stott, of Keele University, and John Drury, of the University of Sussex, explain their findings.

Analysis: Ten years ago, London was the scene of the G20 Summit protests. This week climate change activists caused major disruption in the city. Protests are part and parcel of a liberal democracy, but how do we ensure they are ethically policed? Professor Peter Joyce and Dr Wendy Laverick examine the lessons of history and the implications for policing future protests.

INSIGHT: There are 'just' 55 weeks to go before the next round of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections, and it looks like many PCCs will not be recontesting their seats. So how might aspiring PCCs sensibly prepare for their election campaigns? Ian Wiggett provides a draft checklist...

Insight: Development of the concept of emotional intelligence began in the 1980s and its four attributes of self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, and social skills are all essential factors for a successful police officer. Former UK police officer and now Research Fellow at Western Sydney University Alan Beckley looks at how consideration of emotional intelligence is influencing the recruitment and development of police personnel.