Weekly Media Monitor summary
IN THE NEWS: Our Weekly Review, drawing on our popular Media Monitor database, picks up the key news stories and reports of the week, and explains why they matter to you.
Latest News, Analysis and Opinion (Page 185)
Unmasking the facts: Spit hoods, controversy and policing by consent
OPINION: The use of controversial spit hoods was suspended last week in London after intervention from new Mayor Sadiq Khan. Nick Alston of Anglia Ruskin University's Policing Institute for the Eastern Region argues that not enough is known of the real risks and benefits of spit hoods, and the College of Policing needs to step up with rigorous evidence of the pros and cons.
Spit guards: A protective and preventative measure that is overdue
OPINION: Laboratory reports of hepatitis C have almost doubled in three years in London, while some 59% of London's injecting drug users (classically, crack and heroin) have hepatitis C. Rory Geoghegan of the Centre for Public Safety argues that forces need to explain to the public what a spit guard is, how it works and why it is needed - and that spit guards are a no-brainer for effective policing.
Next generation: Social media and community policing from a European perspective
NEWS: A unique conference in Munich later this month - with attendance free - showcases research on social media and community policing across Europe for the first time. Lindsey Gunby of West Yorkshire for Innovation, the organisers of the conference, talks about the projects and their potential for technology to help transform community policing.
Reinventing the Bobby on the beat: Police Now’s Summer Academy
OPINION: The 2016 Police Now Summer Academy has just graduated 108 new recruit police officers ready for independent patrol. Chris Heathcote, Director and Gold Commander of the Academy, talks about why he believes passionately in the promise of Police Now and what it can offer to police forces across the country.
Licence to protect: President of PSAEW calls for licence to work in public protection
NEWS: Ch. Supt. Gavin Thomas of the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales says officers responsible for protecting vulnerable people should have training and development to an agreed national standard. He sets out what he'll tell the Association's annual conference this week.
The birth of Police Scotland: A failure of parliamentary oversight?
ANALYSIS: Did parliamentary scrutiny fail in the case of Police Scotland? Kath Murray argues that at least some of the difficulties that have since beset the force might be allied to the Scottish political system - here, she examines the evidence.
Taboo for who? LGBT officers and modern policing: The @wecops debate
OPINION: How inclusive is the modern police force for LGBT officers, and is there work still to do? On 31 August, @WeCops held an online debate on LGBT officers and modern policing, with Detective Superintendent Joanne Edwards (@Joedwar25098564), supported by @lancpolequality as hosts. Eric Halford (@DSEricHalford) summarises the debate.
Fraud and organised crime: Targeting the problem, not the offenders
ANALYSIS: New research by the Police Foundation and Perpetuity Research suggests up to 45% of fraud is linked to organised crime, a much higher percentage than previously thought. Mike Skidmore of the Foundation argues that police should target the problem, not the offenders.
