Features

OPINION: Former airline pilot Ron Ball, the Independent PCC for Warwickshire, talks to Nick Alatti about alliances, cuts and Plebgate.

OPINION: Elizabeth Crowhurst, a commentator on criminal justice reform argues that despite some progress, policing still requires radical reform over the next five years to meet the challenges of reduced resources and new types of crime.

OPINION: Academic and former Thames Valley Police chief constable, Peter Neyroud argues that policing needs to move beyond the debate of targets v no targets.

ANALYSIS: Miranda Carruthers-Watt, former OPCC Chief Executive and author of the Local Government Association "Good practice for police and crime panels" guidance document, examines likely future scrutiny challenges for Panels

OPINION: Kate Hall's campaign for fairer treatment of police widows has attracted over 75,000 signatories to her online petition. She needs 25,000 more signatures to bring the issue formally to Parliament's attention. Kate sets out how police widows are unfairly treated, notes that changes have already been made to police pension rules in Northern Ireland, and asks for your support for her petition.

OPINION: A transcript of the Victims' Commissioner, Baroness Newlove's memorable, moving and informative speech at the opening of Compass House, a new victim and witness support facility in Kent.

OPINION: PCC for Kent Ann Barnes looks back over a stormy tenure in office but says she has come through it more resilient and committed than ever. But is she prepared to run again in May 2016?

ANALYSIS: Policing Insight analyses the report for the Prime Minister by David Anderson QC, the independent reviewer of surveillance legislation, which makes a compelling case for replacing the current “fragmented” legislative position.

ANALYSIS: Richard Garside suggests that crime statistics may be better recorded by an independent body.

OPINION: Jon Collins discusses the measures required to ensure restorative justice delivers and how that success can be measured.

OPINION: Former county councillor turned PCC for Derbyshire, Alan Charles, argues for a grown-up debate on drugs policy, more powers for PCCs and a cautious approach to privatisation.

OPINION: With budget challenges and greater demands on police officers and staff, Elena Collins asks whether policing has the leaders it needs and what makes a good leader.

OPINION: Neighbourhood policing is high on the public agenda. Chief Constable Simon Cole of Leicestershire Police and National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead on Local Policing and Partnerships argues for a progressive approach that harnesses public engagement and broad partnerships with the private and public sector.

OPINION: Conservative PCC for Essex and the current chairman of the Association of PCCs, Nick Alston talks targets, tasers and technology.

OPINION: John Tizard puts the case for the new government to commission an independent enquiry on public service outsourcing.

ANALYSIS: Simon Bullock, a former Director of Policy for Bedfordshire PCC, assesses the essential elements of the National Audit Office's report on the "Financial Stability of Police Forces in England and Wales".

ANALYSIS: Bernard Rix, Chief Executive of CoPaCC looks into his crystal ball to assess where the likely key battles will be fought in the May 2016 PCC elections.

ANALYSIS: Jon Harvey discusses several possible models for development of Police and Crime Commissioners and makes suggestions for improving voter engagement in the run up to the May 2016 elections.

ANALYSIS: With the welcome inclusion in the Police and Criminal Justice Bill of measures to address issues in mental health and policing, Tessa Webb makes the case that police led reform will be piecemeal without the engagement of Department of Health, Ministry of Justice and the Department of Communities and Local Government.

OPINION: Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill highlights the benefits of mental health triage pilots in Dorset and across the country.

ANALYSIS: Simon Bullock, a former Director of Policy for Bedfordshire PCC, assesses the essential elements of the Criminal Justice Inspectorates' "Joint inspection of the provision of charging decisions".

OPINION: Charlotte Pickles of the Reform think-tank suggests three key areas of focus for policing so as to deliver "more for less".

OPINION: Chief Superintendent John Sutherland of the Metropolitan Police responds to an article in The Guardian recently by a prize winning Met police constable explaining why he quit the force.

OPINION: Martin Surl, independent Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire and former serving officer, talks to Nick Alatti about the General Election result, tackling cyber-crime and progressive initiatives for the policing of young people.