LONG READ: High profile shootings like that of Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell Station in 2005 exposed weaknesses in the accountability mechanism around the police use of fatal force. Maurice Punch, Ralph Crawshaw and Geoffrey Markham, QPM argue that the issue has largely been dealt with through fudge, fiction and a refusal to acknowledge changing realities - leaving individual firearms officers to carry the can.
15th November 2016
NEWS: Published today, the new thematic report from CoPaCC collates views and analysis on potential police and fire mergers and collaboration. The Thematic provides details of a CoPaCC survey of all OPCCs re their plans for police/fire collaboration, plus articles from 14 key stakeholders, including the Police and Fire Minister.
ANALYSIS: In October, Lord Toby Harris published his review of London’s preparedness for terrorist attacks, commissioned by the Mayor of London. Former Greater Manchester ACC Ian Wiggett examines the report's implications for the country, not just the capital.
OPINION: "Not all policing and justice agencies are embracing collaboration", observes Allan Fairley, Managing Director of Accenture Police Services, Why not? Three reasons, he explains. And why is it now essential that they do so? Read on...
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.
