Latest News, Analysis and Opinion  (Page 190)

OPINION: Should the use of Tasers be banned on psychiatric wards, as suggested by Liberal Democrat Health spokesman Norman Lamb? Serving officer Nathan Constable says the proposal fails to acknowledge that there are times when people become so dangerous that staff cannot control them, and that simply banning Tasers doesn't deal with the real issues at stake.

IN THE NEWS: Our new-look 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.

NEWS BRIEF: Book your place now for "Brexit: Local implications for policing and security", a lunchtime workshop on 14th September in London. Speakers include serving Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill and former ACPO President, Sir Hugh Orde. Limited free places available...

OPINION: With increasing pressure on budgets, police officers are spending more time dealing with vulnerable people, and are forced to go on patrol alone. Holly Lynch MP was so concerned for the safety of one officer with whom she went on patrol that she rang 999 to get back-up for him. She calls on the government to support the police properly and to empower other agencies to take a lead on dealing with the vulnerable.

OPINION: The day-to-day work of policing can be deeply traumatic. In a powerful piece, Sgt Harry Tangye recalls one incident that demonstrates the stark reality of policing for those in the job.

OPINION: Sophisticated data and crime analysis should have transformed policing and criminal justice; but instead, taxpayers are funding bloated criminal justice systems and foot patrols in communities where officers have little to do. Tom Gash argues it's time to replace myth-based approaches with those founded on evidence.

Prize draw winner: The lucky winner of the Apple iPad Air 2 randomly drawn from the hundreds of participants is a police inspector currently studying for a BSc in Policing.

OPINION: Critics of Police Now, the Graduate Leadership Development Programme for the police, have warned it will lead to poorly equipped constables who will be found wanting once on the streets. Serving officer Dan Reynolds went to see for himself - and found a cohort with a maturity far in excess of their four weeks in the job.

OPINION: Should drug addicts be treated as victims themselves? Research suggests that prescribing pharmaceutical heroin can reduce the use of street drugs and associated levels of crime. Ron Hogg, former senior police officer, now Durham’s Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner, argues that this isn't going soft on drugs, but going sensible.

OPINION: The police service is undergoing fundamental change through a combination of austerity and alterations in demand. DCC Andy Rhodes revisits transformational change in policing and introduces the parable of the boiling frog to explain what limits the capacity of forces to adapt and transform.

Advertisement feature: The Emergency Services Show has a host of new features for 2016 as it moves to the larger Hall 5 at the NEC, Birmingham on 21-22 September. New seminar programmes will cover Lessons Learnt and ICT Innovation, while the Drone Zone brings together everything UAV.

IN THE NEWS: Our new-look 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.

OPINION: Last week we explored the PFEW's campaign to to reduce prejudice against police officers with tattoos. Serving police officer Gareth Stubbs argues that these kinds of attitudes represent the power of groupthink, and argues for the importance of diversity of thought in policing.

NEWS: Transport for London is providing British Transport Police with an additional £3.4m in funding to ensure a visible policing presence as the new Night Tube starts running this weekend. Martin Hoscik examines the plans.

ANALYSIS: Last week, the Daily Mail published a story claiming Chief Constables were raking in huge salaries and benefits at the public expense. Cate Moore explores the story behind the headlines, and finds little true investigation and even less accuracy - and warns that a race to the bottom benefits nobody.

ANALYSIS: Should the Scottish Government go ahead with its planned integration of the British Transport Police (BTP) into Police Scotland? Kath Murray looks at the implications of the proposal - and warns that the case for integration needs to be made much clearer.

OPINION: Should police forces take a more relaxed approach to recruiting those with tattoos? The Police Federation of England and Wales says yes, and is leading a campaign to overcome 'old-fashioned' attitudes. Steve Bax of the PFEW explores the issue.

ANALYSIS: The 101 service for non-urgent calls to the police has come under increasing pressure in many forces across the country. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many calls aren't about issues the police can deal with. After analysing data from hundreds of thousands of 101 calls, Michael Sanders and Simon Ruda of the Behavioural Insights Team argue that just a six second ring time could slash inappropriate calls, and free up the 101 service for those who need to get through.

OPINION: Why is it that PTSD in some forces will result in an injury retirement, in others a resignation and in the worst cases prosecution? Gill Scott-Moore of the Police Dependents' Trust talks about what's changed in the way police deal with mental health issues, the research the Trust has commissioned, and the work that still needs to be done.

IN THE NEWS: Our new-look 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.

OPINION: The first hundred days of a new PCC are overwhelmingly busy and full of meetings and helpful advice. But few of these will directly address the most important aspects of making a success of the job. Karen Drury looks at the relationships, and the necessary managing of conflict, needed to keep the show on the road.

OPINION: David Jamieson, PCC for the West Midlands, argues that the proposed model for the new mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority is weak and not fit for purpose, and calls for the CA to pause, reflect, and review the role.

OPINION: The latest NFU report on rural crime showed marked variations in some crime types and between local force areas. But which interventions are working? Nick Alston, former Essex PCC and now Chair of the newly launched Policing Institute for the Eastern Region, calls for more research into what works to reduce rural - and other - crime.

OPINION: The Curtis Review on the use of targets in policing was published in December 2015, but little actual change appears to have taken place. Simon Guilfoyle revisits the debate and calls once more for the fundamental transformation of performance management in the police service.