Latest News, Analysis and Opinion  (Page 128)

analysis: With ransomware attacks on the rise, Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth examines how the cyber threat is expected to evolve in 2020 and how police and partner agencies face increasing challenges in protecting their data from both cyber criminals and their own staff.

Obituary: The funeral of Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner for Durham Ron Hogg will be held this week (7 January). Ron was an outstanding public servant who made a huge contribution to policing, firstly as a police officer and, latterly, as Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner for Durham. His former colleague Ben Twomey shares the valuable lessons he learnt from working with Ron and the legacy he leaves behind.

INSIGHT: NPCC Drug Threat Lead Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Lay is also President of the Drug Expert Witness & Valuation Association (DEWVA). The following is adapted from Det Ch Supt Lay’s opening address at last year’s DEWVA conference where he outlined the current drug threat and the role expert witnesses play in tackling it.

Opinion: From ending duplication to improving wellbeing, Simon Hall, CEO of Coeus Software, offers ten ways in which forces can make better use of mobile technology in 2020.

NEWS: The New Year Honours lists for 2020 recognise the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Many congratulations to those in and associated with policing who have been recognised this year...

Opinion: The hacking of the MPS's social media account by two teenagers has been widely reported in the UK. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth examines this growing threat and the latest innovations collaboratively developed to combat cyber crime.

Recruitment Advertisement: Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel (PCP) intends to add two additional Co-opted Independent Members to further enhance its capabilities. Applications are invited from those with experience working within the Police or Probation services, or with experience in Accountancy, Estates or Public Scrutiny or from anybody else who believes they have something to offer the PCP.

insight: With all the results of all 45 fire and rescue services inspections now in, Catherine Levin considers how those services under Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners (PFCCs) have done and if those aspiring to become PFCCs may get a boost from the findings. It’s a mixed picture to say the least.

Opinion: Bedfordshire Police Stop and Search Panel has been highlighted as one of the most effective in the country. Panel Chair Montell Neufville explains the importance of being open and transparent with both local communities and police officers.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS: Our Publisher, Bernard Rix, reflects on Policing Insight's last twelve months, sets out our Christmas and New Year schedule, and takes a look on what we're planning for 2020...

Interview: As cybercrime continues to rise, patterns of repeat victimisation are being investigated by new collaborative research between Southern Wales Regional Organised Crime Unit and the Cyber Threats Research Centre at Swansea University. Ph.D. Researcher Sara Correia shares with Policing Insight the preliminary findings of this ground-breaking research.

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.

Top Articles 2019: Policing Insight Editor Tina Orr-Munro leads the team in selecting their favourite articles published in 2019. The editorial team have each selected their 'Top Ten' picks and we have made them freely available for the Christmas period to all users with at least a free registered account. We hope you enjoy our selections!

Opinion: As 2019 draws to a close and a new Government is installed in the UK, Mightify's Tom Wheelhouse publishes his own personal 'manifesto' for the emergency services where he calls for a common sense, people-based positive approach in 2020.

Opinion: In Britain, three quarters of those who die by suicide are male. Prior to taking their own lives, men's behaviour can be markedly different to that of women. As the police service is predominantly male, freelance mental health consultant Toni says it's time the service acknowledges this and develops suicide prevention initiatives specifically for men.

FEATURE: In March 2019, New Zealand suffered its worst ever terrorist attack when 51 innocent people were murdered and dozens injured as they attended Friday Prayer. Speaking at the International Conference of Crime Prevention in Dubai, New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush discusses the implications the attack had for his force’s ‘Prevention First’ policy.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE WINNERS: A scheme that helps support children exposed to domestic abuse scooped 'Overall Winner' at this year's World Class Policing Awards sponsored by Accenture. The awards aim to promote excellence in policing by sharing insight into the winning nominations. In the first of 12 articles focusing on the winning nominations, Policing Insight's Keith Potter takes a closer look at Operation Encompass.

Analysis: New Research - Do drug diversion schemes work? Thames Valley Police Policing Strategy Unit's DS Wojciech Spyt and DI Lee Barnham and T/DCI Jason Kew examine the UK's drug policy, how it has evolved and whether drug diversion schemes used by some forces including Thames Valley Police are an effective way to tackle drug possession.

OPINION: Over the past few decades, in pursuit of accountability, policing has become increasingly codified and legislated. Serving officer Martin Gallagher argues that this has not just damaged police discretion, but the capacity of the police to fulfil their core functions: preventing and solving crime.

Opinion: When a police officer is killed in the line of duty, it sends shock waves throughout the police service and the wider community, but how can we ensure their sacrifice is not forgotten? Australian-based Police Mental Health Champion Melissa Gole explores the different ways Australia honours its fallen officers.

Interview: In 2015, Humberside Police became the first force to be awarded an 'inadequate' in the HMICFRS PEEL Assessments and morale was at its lowest ebb. Since then the force has turned itself around. Policing Insight's editor Tina Orr-Munro interviews Humberside PCC Keith Hunter to find out how the force's morale went from the lowest to the highest in the country.

Opinion: The addition of 20,000 new police officers will coincide with the new degree entry qualification requirements, including degree apprenticeships. Former head of Innovation for Kent and Essex police and now senior consultant at Enlighten Training Martin Wilson considers the potential challenges this presents.

GENERAL ELECTION 2019: With the General Election fast approaching, Professor Peter Joyce and Dr Wendy Laverick analyse the main political parties' view on crime and its causes, and how this has shaped the pledges they have made in their election manifestos.

NEW REPORT: CoPaCC publishes in-depth individual analyses of the police ICT provision in 10 police forces providing the largest response to the CoPaCC National Police ICT Survey in 2018. The 'Police ICT: Forces in Focus' reports are the latest in the CoPaCC Police ICT: User Perspectives series based on the Survey results. These reports are critical reading for anyone with an interest in improving police ICT provision.