OPINION: Is policing going in the right direction? Do we even know, let alone agree, what direction policing is heading? Serving officer Nathan Constable and Emma Williams of Canterbury Christ Church University debate whether policing is on 'the Bus to Abilene'.

OPINION: Former Greater Manchester Police ACC, Ian Wiggett gives his view on the latest developments in police and fire governance and the newly re-branded HMICFRS expanded role to take in fire.

OPINION: The @wecops chat on Wednesday 19th July looked at the controversial Police Educational Qualifications Framework (PEQF), focusing on Recognition of Prior Experience and Learning. It was led by Emma Williams of Canterbury Christ Church University, serving frontline officer Dan Reynolds, and the College of Policing. Dan and Emma recount the debate.

PCC INTERVIEW: A third of police time in Kent is spent dealing with mental health issues, a pattern replicated across the country. Kent PCC Matthew Scott is the deputy portfolio lead on mental health for the national Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC). He speaks to Syreeta Lund about some of the challenges.

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.

ANALYSIS: 'Excited delirium' is increasingly used to describe those presenting as violent and unmanageable who often end up in police custody. David Baker of Coventry University explores whether the term is a convenient fiction or a useful shorthand for a dangerous set of symptoms.

NEWS: Bernard Rix, CoPaCC Chief Executive, confirms that CoPaCC is shortly to re-examine OPCCs' transparency, for the fifth year in a row.

OPINION: Katie Kempen, Chief Executive of the Independent Custody Visitors' Association, looks at mental health issues in custody and how the ICVA can help to protect those in mental health crisis who find themselves in custody.

ANALYSIS: It is an undeniable fact that victims of stalking are more likely to receive protection and have their allegations investigated more thoroughly, with a greater probability of a successful prosecution, in Scotland than they are elsewhere in the United Kingdom.  Why should that be?  How has Scotland’s approach been more progressive? Former President of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents Niven Rennie describes the Scottish approach

INSIGHT: HMIC becomes HMICFRS - Catherine Levin looks beyond the ungainly acronym to what this means for the newly expanded organisation and reviews reaction from police, fire and local government.

ANALYSIS: The eighth in a monthly series in which CoPaCC's Sandra Andrews takes a look at some of the most interesting and topical issues that Police and Crime Panels across England and Wales are dealing with. This month, Sandra examines the latest fractious meeting of Cheshire's Police and Crime Panel, and what ramifications the issue has for PCC governance more generally.

OPINION: Nearly three months after Emmanuel Macron's shock presidential victory, France remains beset by serious security problems. Dr Joseph Downing of Aix-Marseille University explores the ongoing security and policing issues that Macron has to overcome.

INTERVIEW: Oscar Kilo was launched six weeks ago as a national police wellbeing resource. Lancashire Chief Constable Andy Rhodes has led the initiative and speaks to Gary Mason about the importance of its mission to share learning and best practice from across emergency and blue light services so organisations can invest the very best into the wellbeing of their staff.

IN THE NEWS: This summary curates the key policing-related research that's been published online in the last two weeks, 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.

OPINION: Academic collaborations with police are becoming more common - but much academic work on policing is still written in language that is inaccessible and difficult to understand. Martin Holleran of York St John University calls for universities to reach out and consider the wider impact of their work.

OPINION: A digital policing summit held recently in London brought together public safety and thought leaders from across the UK and overseas to discuss the challenges and opportunities arising from digital disruption. James Slessor, who leads Accenture’s Public Safety business, outlines the outcomes from the summit and of the shared-experiences of industry attendees.  

OPINION: Demand - and crime levels, particularly violent crime - are up, while police officers are under ever growing pressure. Chief Superintendent John Sutherland says it's past time for a proper, grown-up conversation about the future of policing in the UK

INSIGHT: There was a real gap in the provision of independent information to victims about where best they could find support, and also a lack of opportunity for victims to leave objective feedback that would help others choose the most appropriate services. Sam Smith of Supporting Justice talks about the launch of Victims Choice to fill the gap.

Insight: CCTV is a vital part of police investigations, but retrieving it can be laborious and time-consuming. Sarah Doyle, MD and co-founder of Kinesense explores the issues and discusses the value of having a video evidence strategy.

Analysis: Officers have always gathered evidence, but now that technological advances have placed digital evidence from multiple sources at the core of investigations, the challenge for forces is how to gather, store and share massive amounts of data. Is the cloud the solution?

Insight: The cost of cybercrime to business is almost incalculable. As criminals exploit the speed, convenience and anonymity of the internet – the cost is shared by government, commerce and individuals and these expenses are unexpected, unbudgeted and often take a toll beyond just money. Bromium EMEA CTO Fraser Kyne explores the investigative tools available to the police.

Partner announcement: Following the publication Vigilant's Digital Policing Review Capability Assessment 2017, Stephen Roberts announces new research into issues suggested by the service, findings from which will be published on Policing Insight.

OPINION: The High Court recently issued a judgment with significant implications for the power of Police and Crime Commissioners to suspend (and potentially dismiss) Chief Constables. The Police Foundation's Director, Dr Rick Muir, considers the evidence.

ANALYSIS: As we await the announcement of the latest Police Transformation Fund awards, Dr Iain Britton - a CoPaCC Director focusing on police transformation funding and delivery - shares some thoughts on the current approach and future direction of national investment in 'transforming' policing.