Opinion

OPINION: Deloitte's Public Safety lead in the Gulf region, Andrew Morley, examines how police and other public safety agencies in the Middle East might respond to Covid-19. There are already very significant demands placed upon these agencies in enforcing the critical public health measures introduced to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus - but is there more?

Opinion: Data is the 'oxygen' of decision-making and is potentially at its most powerful when it integrated with other data. Former Deputy Chief Constable and now strategic adviser on digital policing transformation Paul Kennedy and Managing Director of Microsoft software development company Black Marble Robert Hogg explore how forces can better integrate their data sets to improve outcomes.

OPINION: Andy Rhodes QPM is the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary, and the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for well being and staff engagement. Here, he provides his thoughts on the organisational impact of Covid-19 on policing and how leaders can make the coming weeks easier for their staff.

OPINION: Policing Insight's Publisher, Bernard Rix, considers whether the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic will irrevocably damage British policing's "policing by consent" model first set out by Sir Robert Peel in 1829. Can policing emerge all the stronger for the societal challenges the virus will bring?

Opinion: In the time of national emergency, it is vital the public understand what the police expect of them. Crisis Communication Consultant Amanda Coleman, who has more than twenty years experience in law enforcement communications, highlights ways to ensure the messaging is clear, consistent and regular.

Opinion: The police service is facing its greatest challenge in modern times and is likely to be under considerable strain in the coming months, but there is one group that can help shoulder the burden. CEO of Chorus Intelligence Boyd Mulvey says it is time for private sector police suppliers to step up.

Opinion: A new report highlights that Australia’s illicit drug use is rising. Despite policymakers’ best efforts, the country needs to be honest and open to new ideas, says Dr John Coyne, Head of Strategic Policing and Law Enforcement Program at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

OPINION: Policing Insight's Publisher, Bernard Rix, provides his personal perspective on the national, regional and international policing challenges that tackling Coronavirus will bring, and invites those others with policing insight on Coronavirus, wherever they may be in the world, to get in touch.

Opinion: In his second blog reflecting on his six-year tenure as Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Tony Porter gives an update on the progress of the National Surveillance Camera Strategy launched in March 2017.

Opinion: Technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) has incredible potential in the fight against knife crime, but the rate of implementation of AI in policing remains slow, says Jason Sierra, Sales Director of Seven Technologies Group (7TG). Here, he makes the case for the widespread use of AI in policing including helping to tackle knife crime.

Opinion: Former deputy chief constable and now strategic adviser for digital policing transformation Paul Kennedy and Robert Hogg, Managing Director of Black Marble, a Microsoft software development company, explore the opportunities for and challenges to artificial intelligence in policing.

INTERVIEW: Dr Holger Nitsch, from the Police Department of the University of Applied Sciences for Public Service in Bavaria, explains to Policing Insight the unique research and innovation collaborations between German and UK police forces to tackle the twin threats of cybercrime and terrorism.    

Opinion: The PCC elections are set to take place in May. Deloitte's fourth report into Police and Crime Commissioners is also due out the same month and will enable new and returning PCCs to optimise their role at a time of considerable change in policing. Deloitte's Frances Lysak explains the focus of this latest report.

Opinion: Former police officer and now The Bravest Path's Director Gareth Davies works with high profile organisations, including police forces, to help individuals 'shake off the shame' to find the courage to lead better, based on research by Dr Brené Brown. Here, using her research, he explores the role of shame in police culture and offers way to overcome it, increasing engagement, wellbeing and ultimately productivity.

Interview: Although Gloucestershire is a largely rural county with a lower than average violent crime rate, Gloucestershire PCC Martin Surl recently commissioned its largest ever study into violent crime. Policing Insight spoke to Chair of Safer Gloucestershire and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Brierley (pictured) to find out why and what the report revealed.

OPINION: With increased police funding providing opportunities for real change, CIPFA Chief Executive Rob Whiteman CBE argues that policing should be high on the agenda of the forthcoming royal commission on criminal justice system promised by the government.

INTERVIEW: Technology that helped former President Barack Obama secure a second term is now helping Durham Constabulary understand better what local communities really think about policing. CEO and co-founder of Elucd Michael Simon and Acting Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner for Durham Steve White explain the potential the technology has for policing.

OPINION: With the newly-elected government appearing to want to establish a much closer relationship with police chiefs, in particular, Policing Insight's Publisher Bernard Rix asks if Police and Crime Commissioners are in danger of becoming increasingly marginalised and largely symbolic in this re-alignment of the tripartite system?

Opinion: Despite the damage caused of the UK's failure to notify EU member states of 75,000 criminal convictions, Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth argues it is critical that trust is restored and close collaboration between intelligence and law enforcement agencies continues post Brexit.

OPINION: Dr Felia Allum argues that perhaps a new approach is needed to fight organised crime – one that is less centred around the moment a crime is committed, and takes a wider view of the membership and organisational structures of the groups behind those crimes. Are there lessons to learn from how Italy tackles the mafia?

Opinion: The Streatham terror attack has raised a number of questions and calls for more stringent measures to protect the public. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth argues that it is write to re-examine our approach to terror attacks, but 'knee-jerk' reactions can do more harm than good.

Opinion: In an era of fake news the Director of Policing at the UEL's Centre of Professional Policing (CoPP) and former police officer Dr Sarah Cox discusses how Project Tri- Com, a new and innovative collaborative initiative, encourages inclusion and engagement across London by breaking down barriers and busting myths.

Opinion: HMICFRS' report - Diverging under pressure - has revealed a service buckling under the pressure of rising and more complex demand alongside budget constraints. CoPaCC Director Bernard Rix says simply computerising policing tasks of the 1960s is not good enough, the service needs a complete redesign.

Interview: As cyber crime activity continues to rise across Europe, former Chief Inspector of the Croatian Police Jelena Levak explains to Policing Insight the cyber security challenges for policing, and the impact upon law enforcement agencies in Croatia and across the European Member States.