OPINION: What are police forces chasing when they seek greater diversity? And is it enough to focus on the percentages? Serving officer Gareth Stubbs argues it's time to return to first principles: diversity isn't about numbers but about legitimacy.
Insight: In 2015, the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) published a report outlining the direction the service was taking in terms of digitising its investigation and intelligence capabilities. Two years on and one force is making encouraging progress.
Opinion: Victims of repeated harassment or stalking are frequently let down by under-recording, inconsistent services and a lack of understanding by the criminal justice system, according to a recent report published by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI). Rachel Griffin, Chief Executive of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust calls for better awareness within the criminal justice system.
Analysis: The Scottish Police Authority was established four years ago to oversee the newly-formed Police Scotland, but, in that time, the authority has faced intense criticism. Former President of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents Niven Rennie takes a closer look at the problems the Authority has faced.
OPINION: Recent weeks have seen the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) mired in controversy bordering on farce. Kath Murray examines the state of the SPA and warns that it must be made properly accountable to Parliament, and its ties to government ministers weakened.
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: Dr Karen Lumsden, a senior lecturer in Sociology at the University of Loughborough, explores the dynamics of police and academic partnerships in terms of what works and what doesn't.
OPINION: Senior police officers have traditionally been reluctant to comment on issues that stray into political territory. However, the recent general election saw several senior officers break with this to publicly highlight the damage caused by budget cuts. Chief Supt Owen West applauds their openness.
Technology: More and more UK forces are under pressure to move away from using insecure social media apps like WhatsApp towards a secure police-wide communications platform. Andy Lilly, Director and Co-Founder of Armour Communications, explores the issue.
Opinion: Retired Metropolitan Police Service Detective Superintendent Paul Downing is the former head of the MPS Crime Academy Intelligence Faculty. He argues intelligence training has been marginalised in recent years and is failing to keep pace with the changing times.
Opinion: Based on thirty years policing experience and his academic research with the University of Portsmouth, Mark Taylor offers an ethical alternative to the College of Policing’s National Decision Model (NDM) currently used in the police service.
Insight: A survey carried out by the College of Policing earlier this year revealed Police and Crime Commissioners were concerned about the lack of applicants for chief officer roles. In response, the College launched a series of initiatives looking at the barriers to applying, but also what experience and qualifications tomorrow's police leaders will need. Giselle Lockett, the College Lead for Professional Development, updates Policing Insight on the College's progress.
Opinion: Former Chief Executive to the London Criminal Justice Board Andrew Morley was a member of the original team behind the Virtual Court initiative. Ten years on, he says the opportunities presented by Virtual Courts have not been realised and there now needs to be a different approach if the benefits are to be achieved.
IN THE NEWS: This summary curates the key policing-related research that's been published online in the last month, 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: Following the London Olympics in 2012, the Metropolitan Police Service began to struggle to recruit and retain experienced officers in its Public Order Cadre. Birmingham University Senior Lecturer, Dr Amy Fraher has looked into the reasons why.
3rd July 2017
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OPINION: Much has been written on body-worn video and its potential to reduce complaints and enhance police legitimacy. Former Senior Investigating Officer Andy Griffiths argues that BWV also challenges the criminal justice system's reliance on memory - and that it should encourage us to look again at what problems the current system is set up to solve.
Analysis: There is still a lack of understanding and support around the transgender community. While newspapers feature flippant headlines about gender neutral toilets, those who are transgender have to deal with the sometimes devastating consequences of others' misunderstanding. But some police forces are at the vanguard of a more inclusive approach. Syreeta Lund writes.
OPINION: Serving officer Nathan Constable reflects on last week's Canterbury Police Research Centre conference, and highlights the need for people to translate between academia and policing, explaining not just the passion for reform but the purpose.
OPINION: Last week the second annual Canterbury Police Research Centre conference took place, with the title: ‘Learning from Evidence: Mission impossible?’ Emma Williams of CCCU explores the themes that emerged and the challenges posed by speakers and practitioners.
Analysis: In 2017, HMIC's Effectiveness report warned that forces were shelving crime investigations or passing them to less experienced staff. Former Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett examines the issues around crime screening and says it is time to adopt a different approach.
Analysis: Police funding is a hot political issue with police leaders warning the cuts have pushed the service to breaking point. Penelope Gibbs, Director of Transform Justice, explores why, when policing budgets are so constrained, forces are so willing to pay thousands of pounds for virtual courts.
