31st December 2016
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.
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.
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?
OPINION: Earlier this week, Laura Knight, Director of the IPSCJ, outlined some of the barriers to barriers to evidence-based policing and her thoughts on how to overcome them. Here, serving police inspector and police researcher Nathan Constable outlines his thoughts on the challenges of evidence based policing.
OPINION: Earlier this week, Laura Knight, Director of the IPSCJ, outlined some of the barriers to barriers to evidence-based policing and her thoughts on how to overcome them. Here, senior lecturer Emma Williams of Canterbury Christ Church University outlines some thoughts on the challenges of evidence based policing.
OPINION: Laura Knight, Director of the Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice, participated in a recent Police Knowledge Fund conference. Here, Laura provides her views on the key findings from the event.
OPINION: Last week the Police Foundation presented new research on the governance of specialist policing capabilities. Ian Wiggett, CoPaCC Associate and former Greater Manchester Police ACC, responds to the report, and examines the difficulties and opportunities offered by national and regional collaboration.
ANALYSIS: The Police Foundation recently held their Annual Conference, which focused on understanding the policing implications of a digital age. Dr Rick Muir here identifies eight key policing and criminal justice challenges posed by a digitally networked society.
OPINION: College of Police chief executive CC Alex Marshall this week called for an end to the blame culture in policing, and good officers being hung out to dry. Chief Superintendent John Sutherland reflects on the difference between mistakes and misconduct - and the need for police to know that they are supported when doing their jobs.
OPINION: Last week, policing commentator Cate Moore was offered the opportunity to be part of the Stakeholder Panel in the recruitment process for the next Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police. She discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the process - and recommends it for future recruitment
ANALYSIS: Vulnerability in policing is usually taken to mean the way that the police deal with vulnerable victims. However, as shown by last week's College of Policing conference on vulnerability, increasing attention is now being paid to the vulnerability and wellbeing of police officers themselves. Emma Williams of Canterbury Christ Church University and Dr Ian Hesketh, Senior Advisor to the CoP, explore the issues and call for more research.
