Opinion

OPINION: Arfon Jones, newly elected PCC for North Wales and one of the first two Plaid Cymru PCCs, talks about his background as a police officer, the Home Office's obsession with crime statistics, and his focus on domestic violence and youth justice.

OPINION: Photos of a gay Metropolitan Police officer proposing to his partner at London Pride last month were shared nationally and internationally, and highlighted the changes that have taken place in police culture and attitudes over the last several decades. Steve Bax of the Police Federation of England and Wales explores how these changes have affected officers on the ground, and what still needs to be done.

OPINION: Dealing with the most vulnerable is a priority for the police. On 22 July, @WeCops held an online debate on early intervention, with CI Justin Srivastava (@CiSrivastava) as the guest host. Eric Halford (@DSEricHalford) summarises the debate and why early intervention matters - and how it can be done better.

OPINION: Ch Supt Gavin Thomas, President of the Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales, explains why he is "pleased to see today's crime figures show a massive amount of online and cyber fraud offences".

OPINION: Jon Collins, CEO of the Restorative Justice Council, argues in favour of using restorative justice principles to help heal the Brexit rifts now evident in society

OPINION: What does 'confidence' in policing really mean? Dr Kevin Morrell of Warwick Business School is taking a year's fellowship to explore the ramifications of 'confidence' and to open up dialogue and to develop fresh insights into public confidence in the police.

OPINION: How healthy is policing research and what does the British Society of Criminology conference tell us about what state it's in? New Chair of the BSC Policing Network Dr Louise Westmarland reflects on the conference and the new directions of policing research.

OPINION: Bernard Rix, CoPaCC Chief Executive, wonders why the Home Affairs Select Committee chose not to take evidence from Police and Crime Commissioners in their inquiry into the College of Policing

OPINION: How could the Brexit vote affect the UK's ability to deal with organised crime? Dr Anna Sergi of the University of Essex argues that the UK's isolation could be game changing for criminal gangs – and in the worst way.

OPINION: New PCC for Derbyshire Hardyal Dhindsa talks to Policing Insight about diversity, mental health, fire mergers, and his pledge to visit all 383 towns and villages in Derbyshire to reach out to the county's different communities.

OPINION: Much of the UK's security is dependent upon its ability to work in co-operation with partners. The recent referendum and the potential departure of the UK from the EU poses a danger to that work. Former Greater Manchester ACC Ian Wiggett unpicks the ramifications of Brexit, and warns that it will take a lot of effort by political leaders to ensure that co-operation is not damaged.

OPINION: What will the referendum mean for policing? Chief Superintendent Gavin Thomas, President of the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales, explores the challenges and the possibilities of the unchartered waters ahead.

OPINION: Cop and comic Alfie Moore takes a look at the state we're in, six days after the referendum...

OPINION: Is it time to change how organisations like the police relate to communities? In the wake of Brexit, Brendan O'Brien argues for a new model of community-driven PACTs to help local areas flourish - and to manage demand on public services.

OPINION: Sir Hugh Orde, former President of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), gives his thoughts on the impact of the "Leave" referendum victory

OPINION: How and why do serving police officers choose to leave the job they love? Naomi Bennett from Canterbury Christ Church University talks about her research into police retention, and warns that when governments and policing organisations make significant changes, those changes affect police officers on a personal level as well as a professional one.

OPINION: This June is Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History month. Dave Bamber, Police Federation of England and Wales lead for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller police officers, writes about the role of the GRT Police Association, and why it is so badly needed.

OPINION: What are the major challenges for a PCC entering their second term? Katy Bourne, PCC for Sussex, gives us her reflections on the job, her achievements, and the opportunities ahead.

OPINION: Lord Bew is the Chair of the Committee on Standards on Public Life to the Prime Minister. The Committee’s remit is to suggest changes to help promote and maintain the seven ‘Nolan’ principles of public life – integrity, accountability, selflessness, objectivity, openness, honesty and leadership. All public office holders, including PCCs, are expected to live up to them.

OPINION: Dorset PCC Martyn Underhill provides his reaction to the vote to leave the European Union

OPINION: Jason Ablewhite was elected in May as Cambridgeshire's new Police and Crime Commissioner. He describes his first month on the job - the lessons he's learned and the challenges he sees in the years ahead.

OPINION: Is the UK safer and more secure within the EU? In the introduction to the report Britain is Stronger in Europe, the Rt Hon Charles Clarke, former Home Secretary, makes the case for voting 'Remain', along with co-authors Peter Neyroud, former Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police and CEO of National Policing Improvement Agency, and Lord Carlile of Berriew QC.

OPINION: What is the real impact of reduced police numbers? Dr Joan Donnelly of the Police Federation of England and Wales discusses the complexity of 'demand', ahead of a conference next week at Canterbury Christ Church University on Evidence Based Policing: Beyond the Randomised Control Trial.

OPINION: Chief Superintendent John Sutherland gives his personal reflections on leadership in the police service - what it means, and why it matters.