analysis: Independent police and crime panel members are generally younger, more diverse, better skilled and more representative of their communities. In his fourth paper, based on his research into police and crime panels, Dr Roy Bailey evaluates the effectiveness of independent panel members.
IN THE NEWS: This summary curates the key policing-related research that's been published online in the last week, with links to the original journal articles, and selected abstracts - plus a short guide outlining how serving police officers and staff can get access, free, to many of the articles listed through the National Police Library. You do not need to be a member of the College to access its library.
14th October 2019
ANALYSIS : A new law passed in New Zealand promises to decriminalise drug use in favour of a public health approach. Prof. Max Abbott, Auckland University of Technology, argues that the move is a positive step towards addressing the real impact of drugs - so long as it doesn’t get lost in translation.
Interview: Release's Y-Stop project is by young people for young people, supporting and guiding them on communicating effectively with the police during a Stop and Search. Youth Lead and Associate Researcher Amal Ali talks to Policing Insight about the project and why it's important young people have a voice.
ANALYSIS : With extreme weather and Brexit dominating the headlines, it might seem sensible for emergency planners to advise people on what to do in a crisis. But when Police Scotland did just that with their #grabbag tweet, it got all the wrong kind of attention. Dan Slee, co-founder of comms2point0, examines the fallout.
NEWS: To coincide with World Mental Health Day (10 Oct), the Police Superintendents' Association has published details of their latest resilience survey which reveals a worrying long-hours culture, rising workloads and high levels of stress and anxiety.
NEWS: Last month, the Police Foundation launched the Strategic Review of Policing in England and Wales. As phase one of the review goes live, the Foundation has announced the first Call for Evidence. Director Rick Muir invites those involved in policing to come forward with their ideas and evidence to help shape the police service of the future.
8th October 2019
FEATURE: Each week, Policing Insight is publishing details of the finalists in this year's World Class Policing Awards sponsored by Accenture. This week, our outstanding nominations include a mobile technology project that has freed up over half a million officer hours a year and an intelligence officer whose work targeting online child abuse has led to 270 arrests.
IN THE NEWS: This summary curates the key policing-related research that's been published online in the last week, with links to the original journal articles, and selected abstracts - plus a short guide outlining how serving police officers and staff can get access, free, to many of the articles listed through the National Police Library. You do not need to be a member of the College to access its library.
ANALYSIS : Cuts to police budgets can mean hard choices. But what might this mean to the victims of incidents like retail crime? Dr Emmeline Taylor, of City, University of London, explores the fallout from retail crime - but argues that we need to move beyond the police response.
Opinion: The high-profile case of a 15 year-old convicted of trying to build a bomb has highlighted the importance of early intervention to combat extremism, via the Government's Prevent strategy. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth outlines the tension between free speech and trust in the classroom and the importance of preventing the ever-increasing radicalisation of young people.
Opinion: Health and wellbeing are high on the agenda with many forces looking for ways to offer better support for their employees. Simon Hall, CEO of PoliceBox, says a significant stressor is poor technology. Here he examines its impact on officers' and staff health and wellbeing.
Innovation: Domestic homicides in the UK have reached a five-year high. Lucy McDonald, SafeLives’ Programme Lead for Scotland, highlights the organisation's groundbreaking work with Police Scotland to train its officers to recognise the early warning signs of domestic abuse and safeguard victims earlier.
1st October 2019
FEATURE: Each week, in the lead up to the inaugural World Class Policing Awards sponsored by Accenture in November, Policing Insight will be publishing details of the 54 finalists. This week, the outstanding nominations include a police cadet scheme for adults with learning difficulties, a new mobile fingerprint reader, a drink awareness project in Australia and many more.
INNOVATION: "Wellbeing Vans" are now being offered to police officers and staff across forces in England and Wales giving them fast and easy access to a range of physical, psychological and financial 'healthchecks'. Oscar Kilo's Digital Resource and Engagement Officer Jenna Flanagan updates Policing Insight on their progress.
OPINION: The number of rapes reported has soared but convictions are at an all-time low. Ian Wiggett highlights the challenges of a Crown Prosecution Service under pressure, growing demands of disclosure in a digital world and police forces struggling with demand and a shortage of resources.
1st October 2019
ANNOUNCEMENT: The World Class Policing Awards are pleased to announce that Accenture have enhanced their support for the awards by becoming the lead sponsor of the inaugural 2019 event.
IN THE NEWS: This summary curates the key policing-related research that's been published online in the last week, with links to the original journal articles, and selected abstracts - plus a short guide outlining how serving police officers and staff can get access, free, to many of the articles listed through the National Police Library. You do not need to be a member of the College to access its library.
Analysis: Following the publication of her research into Intimate Partner Homicides, Dr Jane Monckton-Smith outlines the eight stages of escalation that result in an Intimate Partner Homicide, demonstrating this is a highly predictable crime and debunking the traditional "crime of passion" narrative that often surrounds it.
ANALYSIS: The Whaley Bridge crisis could have been a disaster - but strong communications work by the emergency services helped keep a community together. Dan Slee, co-founder of comms2point0, looks at the social media effort to show where it all went right.
OPINION: Racial disparities in stop and search has hit the headlines once again in response to an upsurge in violent crime. Dr Rashid Minhas of the University of West London suggests that a lack of diversity in police forces themselves could be contributing to the difference in experiences of stop and search.
Analysis: The Anglo-American jury system may permeate our popular culture, but many countries have a different approach when it comes to deciding a person's guilt. Dr Lee Curley examines the different systems and how they can impact the final verdict.
Interview: In the second part of our exclusive interview, former Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Jon Boutcher talks about his current role leading the independent investigation into the activities of ‘Stakeknife’, a state agent involved in kidnap, torture and murder by the Provisional IRA in Northern Ireland in the 1980s.
analysis: In the third of five papers on Police and Crime Panels, Dr Roy Bailey examines the panel's legal powers and how it handles complaints against Police and Crime Commissioners whilst trying to strike a balance between support and scrutiny.
