OPINION: The new offence of 'police corruption' is not yet widely understood. Ian Townsend of Rebian Solicitors offers an overview of 'police corruption', and warns that the new offence creates the danger that a police officer’s behaviour which might have amounted to misconduct will in future be criminalised.
OPINION: The SNP government in Holyrood appears determined to push through with its proposal to dismantle the British Transport Police and absorb its functions into Police Scotland. Writer and commentator Wesley Hutchins looks at the evidence and the motivations behind the SNP's strategy.
4th November 2016
OPINION: London’s blue light services are well placed to respond to a terror attack, according to a wide-ranging review of the capital’s resilience published earlier this week by policing expert Lord Toby Harris. Martin Hoscik of Mayorwatch examines the review, its conclusions, and criticisms from Conservative Assembly Members.
ANALYSIS: Holly Bontoft, an associate in Fieldfisher's Public and Regulatory Law team, examines today's High Court judgment and argues that it "appears to make some extremely strong arguments for an Act of Parliament being required". Read Holly's detailed view, then download the full CoPaCC Thematic on "Brexit: Implications for Policing and Security".
OPINION: Knife crime has a disproportionate effect on young men who are mostly poor, frequently black and invariably from challenging inner city neighbourhoods. Chief Superintendent John Sutherland calls for urgent action to address the disease of knife crime by listening to those who know what works.
EXCLUSIVE: Today in Parliament, MPs will debate police officer safety. Holly Lynch MP secured the Adjournment debate following a shift with West Yorkshire Police, which opened her eyes to how vulnerable police officers are when single crewed. She blogs about what she's demanding of the government to ensure that officers are safe when on patrol.
OPINION: Police officers who tutor other police officers don't always receive much formal recognition. Serving officer 'West Coast Response' lays out what could be done to recognise and reward the commitment of officers who dedicate their time and effort to coaching and training new cops.
ANALYSIS: A new offence of “controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship" has been used just 62 times in six months. Charlotte Bishop of Exeter University explains how the way evidence and testimony is used in court makes it very hard to prove a relationship is coercive.
OPINION: The Isle of Man has become the thirteenth police force to sign up for Northgate Public Services’ CONNECT policing platform, which represents around a third all forces in England and Wales, and the fourth to sign up for it as a stand-alone platform rather than jointly with other forces. Ian Blackhurst of Northgate Public Services hails the ongoing shift in policing to digital platforms.
31st October 2016
New Report: Published today, the new thematic report from CoPaCC collates views and analysis on the implications of Brexit for policing and security. Contributors including Sir Hugh Orde, PCC Martyn Underhill and PSAEW President Gavin Thomas highlight the key areas of concern.
OPINION: A number of stories have emerged in the press over recent weeks referring to police officers accused of sexual misconduct as 'sex pests'. Martin Holleran, former serving officer and now Senior Lecturer in Policing Studies at York SJ, takes issue with this terminology, and calls for a cultural transformation of the police service.
OPINION: The Operational Research Society is dedicated to applying advanced analytical methods to help make better decisions. Sue Merchant and Ian Seath, committee members of the OR Society’s Criminal Justice special interest group, describe some recent operational research projects in policing and criminal justice.
ANALYSIS: A collaborative project between Durham Constabulary and the University of Sheffield has undertaken an exploratory study of extending the use of restorative justice practices in new and innovative ways. The project represented the first pilot of the N8PRP’s Staff Exchange scheme. Xavier L'Hoiry of the University of Sheffield and Nikki D'Souza of Durham Constabulary outline their early findings.
ANALYSIS: Between 2011 and 2015 the Police Foundation undertook research in two English towns, Luton and Slough. In their third paper dealing with partnership working, published earlier this month, they suggest that, though multi-agency case management can achieve strong local support, it doesn't always achieve its aims. Russell Webster examines the Police Foundation's research and its implications.
OPINION: What will the police forces of the future look like, and how will we get there? Sussex Chief Constable Giles York, NPCC lead for Workforce, makes the case for change in the recruitment and development of police officers, in order to build a workforce more reflective of the skills and competencies needed for the modern police service.
OPINION: British policing is structured around the local, but criminals aren’t constrained by lines on maps, so the police can’t afford to be either. Sara Thornton, Chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, outlines her vision of future for specialised services, as the NPCC publishes its recommendations to Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners.
OPINION: Is promotion through the ranks perceived as a game? In August, @wecops ran a Twitter debate hosted by Inspector Gareth Stubbs (@DedicatedPeeler) on 'The Police Promotion System'. Neil James of @bselectedpolice summarises the debate and discusses some of the key issues raised.
NEWS: Taking place in Birmingham on Thursday, 20th October 2016, this is the fifth national Police and Crime Panel conference, organised by Frontline Consulting and sponsored by Grant Thornton. Bernard Rix, CoPaCC's Chief Executive, provides a LiveBlog
OPINION: Increasing threats to LGBT events and venues has led to the cancellation and lockdown of such celebrations worldwide. Jo Arundale, chair of the Devon and Cornwall police LGBT network, reflects on this newly dangerous facet of radicalisation and explores some of the options for countering the threat.
