Features

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?

Analysis: The UK has a wealth of experience in contingency planning, but Covid-19 is unprecedented in terms of scale and complexity. Drawing on interviews with senior contingency planners about the response so far, Professor Clifford Stott and former Chief Superintendent Owen West outline current challenges and offer preliminary recommendations to help navigate the weeks ahead.

FEATURE: In our continuing series aimed at supporting the new police degree entry recruits, Policing Insight's Academic Editor Carina O'Reilly explores other types of evidence and how selecting the right kind of research depends on the question you are trying to answer.

Analysis: The Coronavirus is likely to create new opportunities for crime as well as curtail others, says Professor Karl Roberts, a Consultant on Health Security and Policing for the World Health Organisation. Here, he examines the potential impact a pandemic can have on different crime types.

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.

Analysis: The police, public health and other public and private sector organisations are facing huge challenges as they tackle the Coronavirus, but how are they managed at a local level? CoPaCC Director Ian Wiggett examines the vital role of the UK's Local Resilience Forums in ensuring a coordinated response to an unprecedented situation.

Analysis: With the police service now tasked with enforcing the lockdown during the Coronavirus crisis, Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth examines the role that drones can play in supporting officers in maintaining law and order.

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.

Analysis: The latest in our Report Watch series summarises a report by Policy Exchange: Policing a Pandemic - The challenges of maintaining law and order during the Coronavirus response.

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Analysis: Professor Karl Roberts is a Consultant on Health Security, Law Enforcement and Policing for the World Health Organisation. In an exclusive article for Policing Insight, he examines the different roles police may have during a pandemic and the challenges this creates alongside some suggested approaches to developing the police response.

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).

Analysis: The likely impact of the Coronavirus on crime and policing is, as yet, unknown. Policing commentator Ben Twomey explores some of the issues the UK criminal justice system may have to consider in the coming days, weeks and months.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE WINNERS: Operation Limelight, a huge multi-agency operation led by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to prevent girls and young women from becoming victims of female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, was awarded Highly Commended in the World Class Policing Awards, sponsored by Accenture. In the eighth of twelve articles focused on the award-winning nominations, Keith Potter examines the initiative which led to the signing of a historic intelligence-sharing Proclamation of Interagency Support for investigations between UK and US Law Enforcement.

Analysis: The Coronavirus crisis will test the capacity and capability of all emergency service first responders. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth looks at the pressures facing police leaders in the coming months and how effective collaboration with the military will be vital to managing the response to Covid-19.

Analysis: The latest in our Report Watch series summarises the recent inspection by the HMICFRS on Counter Terrorism Policing and the police's contribution to the Government's Prevent Programme.

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.

Analysis: It was entirely inevitable that cybercriminals would take advantage of the current public health emergency but, says Policing Insight Contributor Andrew Staniforth, their actions have surprised even the most hardened cyber security professionals.

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.

Analysis: Mark Cooper, Director of Greymalkin Consulting, has been involved in the development of the Police and Crime Commissioner role since originally overseeing the legislation that introduced them. With the third round of PCC elections in May, he examines how the newly-elected PCCs and their Chief Constables can shape the future of policing against the changing political environment.

Analysis: Until recently, cyber digital skills vital for police investigations were not formally recognised. The Institute of Cyber Digital Investigation Professionals (ICDIP) aims to change that. Senior Project Advisor Detective Inspector Alan Martin and Cyber Digital Career Pathways Project Team Leader Fiona Paterson explain the importance of the ICDIP in recognising the specialist knowledge, skills and professional status of those involved in cyber and digital investigations.

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.

Analysis: With less than two months to go to the Police and Crime Commissioner elections for the English and Welsh forces, Policing Insight is launching its in-depth coverage. We'll be constantly updating our tracker so you'll be able to check out the candidates and their policies as they declare their intention to stand. Policing Insight's Publisher Bernard Rix takes a look at the field so far.

Analysis: In the aftermath of the Streatham terrorist attack, the UK Government announced emergency legislation would be introduced to end the early release of individuals who have committed terror offences. Alan Greene, Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Birmingham, discusses the Government's decision against the complex backdrop of human rights and retrospective justice.