Features

OPINION: Management Consultant and former Head of Innovation for Kent and Essex Police Martin Wilson believes simplifying the police's ICT strategy could bring clarity to what the service is trying to achieve and where it wants to be in the future.

OPINION: The Reform think tank recently published a new report on the potential benefits of technology for blue light services. Reform's Alex Hitchcock reflects on the technological opportunities available.

OPINION: Child sexual exploitation was the focus of the Home Affairs Committee’s ongoing Policing for the Future Inquiry this month. As the police continue to battle growing numbers of reports, both current and non-recent cases, frustrated senior police leaders tell MPs much of the online child sexual exploitation is preventable.

OPINION: Evan Morris MBE, the former Head of Community Safety for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, believes the merger of police and fire services could provide the perfect opportunity to share intelligence data to improve community safety and confidence. Here, he explains how Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) tackled anti-social behaviour.

ANALYSIS: The latest CoPaCC thematic report 'Police ICT: User perspectives' was published recently. The report provides a unique insight into the views of the frontline on the provision of ICT in their force, based on CoPaCC's national survey. Bernard Rix, CoPaCC Chief Executive, takes a look at user responses to Question 11 (of eleven).

OPINION: On 1 December 2017, the Police ICT Company entered into collaboration with a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME). Boyd Mulvey, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Chorus Intelligence Ltd describes the journey to becoming an approved vendor with the hope of having a single contract with the police service. He reflects on what it’s like to be one of the first SMEs on board, the requirements placed on vendors, and explains why, although imperfect, the process is worth supporting and will give the police market a nudge in the right direction.

OPINION: New technology is set to transform blue light services. Sarah Timmis of the thinktank Reform introduces a new report on the benefits of the new technology - and the changes to data sharing that this transformation will entail.

OPINION: With the numbers of police officers declining, Management Consultant Martin Wilson, who is the former Head of Innovation for Kent and Essex police, says the answer could lie in increasing online services if the police service can get the 'user experience' right.

ANALYSIS: In recent weeks there have been numerous news stories about the rise in knife crime and gang violence. Mark Cooper looks back at some of the initiatives to tackle these challenges and considers which have been most successful.

ANALYSIS: The BTP Leaving Home research project investigates the impact of the proposed integration of the BTP into Police Scotland on BTP officers and staff in Scotland, exploring issues of organisational identity, community, and attachment. Independent researcher Dr Kath Murray and Dr Colin Atkinson of the University of the West of Scotland explain their findings

INTERVIEW: Dr Louise Newson, also known as the Menopause Doctor, has worked with West Midlands Police to produce a booklet about the menopause. She tells Policing Insight why it is so important for organisations like the police to understand the impact of the menopause on their workforce.

ANALYSIS: The Police ICT Company has announced its latest collaboration with Chorus Intelligence which they believe has the potential to save thousands of hours across UK policing. Northamptonshire Police has already successfully trialled the software and is now looking to extend its use. Tina Orr-Munro reports.

ANALYSIS: The latest CoPaCC thematic report 'Police ICT: User perspectives' was published recently. The report provides a unique insight into the views of the frontline on the provision of ICT in their force, based on CoPaCC's national survey. Bernard Rix, CoPaCC Chief Executive, takes a look at user responses to Question 10 (of eleven).

OPINION: Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in policing to predict crime and direct scarce police resources. However, Professor Michael Rowe of Northumbria University warns that the moral and ethical ramifications of using such technology are potentially serious, and need to be kept in view.

ANALYSIS: The charity Revolving Doors Agency works with Police and Crime Commissioners to tackle issues that blight their communities. In their latest report on Violence Against Women and Girls, Ellie De, a policy officer with Revolving Doors Agency, highlights the good practice that is taking place around the country.

ANALYSIS: Report Watch summarises the main findings of reports that impact on policing and includes responses from the main stakeholders as well as media reaction. Here we take a look at the NPCC's Livestock Worrying Police Working Group Final Report which has analysed four years of data to determine the extent of livestock worrying and the criminal justice response.

INTERVIEW: HMICFRS recently highlighted Gwent Police for its innovative approach to police training when it became the first force to use virtual reality technology for routine officer training. Mick Keyte, Director at Detect Deter Defend Limited and Tim Luft Director of Virtual Reality Simulation Systems worked with Gwent Police to implement the technology. Mick Keyte explains its benefits.

ANALYSIS: The Metropolitan Police Service is moving from a Borough-based policing model to Basic Command Units (BCU) which will mean fewer, but larger policing areas. The force believes this will improve its service to its communities, but is bigger necessarily better? Former Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett examines the issues.

INSIGHT: CCTV plays a vital role in police investigations reducing costs, time and effort as well as improving prosecution outcomes. Richard Perkins explains the challenges of optimising the future use of CCTV, exploiting opportunities in interoperability, biometrics and artificial intelligence.

ANALYSIS: Pressure on budgets is forcing police resources to be spread ever-thinner - but could this put them in greater physical danger? Mary Elliott-Davies of the Police Federation presents early results suggesting that single-crewed officers are more likely to be the victims of physical attacks and injuries requiring medical attention.

ANALYSIS: In late 2015, coercive control became a criminal offence in England and Wales, but to what extent has the new legislation led to convictions? Working with Merseyside Police, Kelly Johnson and Dr Charlotte Barlow of Lancaster University have explored police responses to domestic abuse since the introduction of the new offence.

ANALYSIS: The latest CoPaCC thematic report 'Police ICT: User perspectives' was published recently. The report provides a unique insight into the views of the frontline on the provision of ICT in their force, based on CoPaCC's national survey. Bernard Rix, CoPaCC Chief Executive, takes a look at user responses to Question 9 (of eleven).

OPINION: Real openness and transparency can inspire public confidence and trust, but Andrew Dawson, from his experience as a local councillor and Police and Crime Panel member, believes that PCCs are still far from accountable

Exclusive interview: Lord Wasserman has been a government adviser on policing and criminal justice since 2011 and was the driving force behind the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). He speaks exclusively to Policing Insight about how he sees the role of the PCCs and the importance of transparency and accountability.