Latest News, Analysis and Opinion  (Page 183)

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.

interview: The sight of drug addicts huddled in the shadows or of streets littered with used syringes is hardly a vision of utopia. After 30 years as a police officer, rising through the ranks to inspector, Arfon Jones, now Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, has plenty of first-hand experience seeing the ravages of drug use on both individuals and local communities.

OPINION: What is it like to be a Direct Entry Superintendent? Maggie Blyth offers her thoughts on what the scheme can offer, and her experiences as a new entrant to policing.

OPINION: A recent Accenture survey of 165 technology leaders within police, justice and intelligence agencies found that financial constraints, increased citizen expectations, and the need to modernise operations are driving the increasing use of digital technologies. James Slessor of Accenture unpacks the results of the survey, and outlines some of the groundbreaking directions public safety agencies are exploring.

OPINION: Policing faces unprecedented challenges as we move into the new year. Chief Superintendent John Sutherland outlines those challenges, and calls for our response to those challenges to begin with care and regard for those who stand on the thin blue line.

OPINION: The news that Durham Special Constabulary is to begin rolling out new rank insignia sparked a fierce debate on social media as to whether the change was needed. Dale Checksfield, Chief Officer of Durham Special Constabulary, makes the case for Specials to be fully integrated into the police family, including training, qualifications - and rank.

IN THE NEWS: This summary curates the key policing-related research that's been published online in the last few weeks, with links to the original journal articles, and selected abstracts.

LONG READ: The mass retention of data, even for the prevention of terrorism and serious crime, needs to be carefully justified. However, when it comes to Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), there appears to be a gap in the oversight regime. Professor Lorna Woods of Essex University warns that police use of ANPR data is exposed to legal challenge, with potentially serious consequences.

ANALYSIS: For the first time in 100 years, the Office of National Statistics has begun to issue crime statistics that include a measure of harm. Mark Bangs, Deputy Head of Crime Statistics at the ONS, explains more about the new Crime Severity Statistics - and how you can get involved.

OPINION: In many recent controversies involving the police, the voices of officers have been barely heard. In this second of two articles, Sandra Andrews of CoPaCC talks to an officer with direct experience of being spat at, and the emotional and physical ramifications of his experience.

NEWS: The New Year Honours lists for 2017 recognise the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom. Many congratulations to those in and associated with policing who have been recognised this year...

OPINION: In many recent controversies involving the police, the voices of officers have been barely heard. Sandra Andrews of CoPaCC calls for urgent attention to be paid to the perspectives of police officers, particularly on issues - such as spit guards - that directly affect their physical and emotional welfare.

ANALYSIS: Many people believe that eyewitness identification is inherently unreliable, and this belief is reflected in scholarly articles, textbooks, and juror briefings. Laura Mickes argues that not only are eyewitness IDs potentially more reliable than commonly assumed, but that small changes to criminal justice procedure could significantly increase the reliability of such testimony.

2016 Review: Policing Insight Publisher and CoPaCC Chief Executive, Bernard Rix, identifies the "must read" Policing Insight articles from 2016. Do you have a favourite? And which others would YOU highlight?

ANALYSIS: This is the second of a monthly series where 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 looks at discussion in Essex of work to tackle gangs and organised crime, plus examines discussion of the establishment of a "National Association of Police and Crime Panels"

OPINION: Should public services focus only on 'pulling people out of the water'? In the second of two blogs, Brendan O'Brien of Bluelight Consultancy describes Asset-Based Community Development, and how it can potentially prevent people from falling in the water in the first place.

OPINION: Serving police officer Ed Cudmore is completing his Master's degree at Canterbury Christ Church University. In the third of our comment pieces, he examines the response to the College of Policing's announcement about educational qualifications and gives a personal testament to the value of education in policing.

OPINION: Last week the new Police Education Qualifications Framework was unveiled, to a mixed reaction that was at times extremely hostile. Serving officer Gareth Stubbs unpicks the announcement, and punctures some of the myths and misunderstandings around the new plans.

ANALYSIS: NPC recently organised a round-table event, in partnership with the Police Foundation, to discuss the opportunities for collaboration between PCCs and charities. Grace Wyld, an NPC Researcher, identifies the key messages emerging from that event. 

OPINION: Ben Forbes is a Metropolitan Police officer with an inspiring story to tell. He has been awarded the Jack Petchey Leaders Award for his contribution to the development of youth services across London.

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.

OPINION: Should public services focus only on 'pulling people out of the water'? Or should they head upstream to stop them falling in? In the first of two blogs, Brendan O'Brien of Bluelight Consultancy says we should be focusing on keeping them well away from the water's edge in the first place.

OPINION: Armed police officers were in the news last week again, this time because of complaints about armed patrols of a Christmas market in Newcastle. Gavin Hales of the Police Foundation argues that the controversy signals the complexity of offering reassurance to the public, some of whom may find armed police officers anything but reassuring.

OPINION: Earlier this week, the College of Policing published their "Policing Education Qualifications Framework", widely reported as requiring police officers to have degrees. Serving officer WestCoast Response has two degrees (so, more formally, he's WestCoast Response BA MSc). What does he think of this week's announcement?