OPINION: Kate Hall's campaign for fairer treatment of police widows has attracted over 75,000 signatories to her online petition. She needs 25,000 more signatures to bring the issue formally to Parliament's attention. Kate sets out how police widows are unfairly treated, notes that changes have already been made to police pension rules in Northern Ireland, and asks for your support for her petition.

OPINION: A transcript of the Victims' Commissioner, Baroness Newlove's memorable, moving and informative speech at the opening of Compass House, a new victim and witness support facility in Kent.

OPINION: PCC for Kent Ann Barnes looks back over a stormy tenure in office but says she has come through it more resilient and committed than ever. But is she prepared to run again in May 2016?

IN THE NEWS: Gary Mason reviews the week’s national and local police news.

ANALYSIS: Policing Insight analyses the report for the Prime Minister by David Anderson QC, the independent reviewer of surveillance legislation, which makes a compelling case for replacing the current “fragmented” legislative position.

ANALYSIS: Richard Garside suggests that crime statistics may be better recorded by an independent body.

OPINION: Jon Collins discusses the measures required to ensure restorative justice delivers and how that success can be measured.

OPINION: Former county councillor turned PCC for Derbyshire, Alan Charles, argues for a grown-up debate on drugs policy, more powers for PCCs and a cautious approach to privatisation.

NEWS: A Labour PCC has told Policing Insight that the government’s drugs policy isn’t working and needs an urgent review.

ADVERTORIAL: From cutting-edge equipment and technology to the latest training and techniques, the upcoming Emergency Services Show has it all covered. Aimed at all ranks of police officers and control room staff, the free-to-attend event taking place at the NEC in Birmingham on 23 and 24 September features indoor and outdoor exhibitions, free seminars and workshops.

SURVEY: A survey designed to examine officer experience and attitudes towards the provision of mandatory ongoing training/professional development amongst federated officers within the Police Service of England and Wales.

OPINION: With budget challenges and greater demands on police officers and staff, Elena Collins asks whether policing has the leaders it needs and what makes a good leader.

OPINION: Neighbourhood policing is high on the public agenda. Chief Constable Simon Cole of Leicestershire Police and National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead on Local Policing and Partnerships argues for a progressive approach that harnesses public engagement and broad partnerships with the private and public sector.

WORKSHOP: Your invitation to a free CoPaCC / IPSCJ Workshop: "Developing work to improve the experience of victims and witnesses"

IN THE NEWS: Gary Mason reviews the week’s national and local police news.

OPINION: Conservative PCC for Essex and the current chairman of the Association of PCCs, Nick Alston talks targets, tasers and technology.

OPINION: John Tizard puts the case for the new government to commission an independent enquiry on public service outsourcing.

ANALYSIS: Simon Bullock, a former Director of Policy for Bedfordshire PCC, assesses the essential elements of the National Audit Office's report on the "Financial Stability of Police Forces in England and Wales".

ANALYSIS: Bernard Rix, Chief Executive of CoPaCC looks into his crystal ball to assess where the likely key battles will be fought in the May 2016 PCC elections.

ANALYSIS: Jon Harvey discusses several possible models for development of Police and Crime Commissioners and makes suggestions for improving voter engagement in the run up to the May 2016 elections.

ANALYSIS: With the welcome inclusion in the Police and Criminal Justice Bill of measures to address issues in mental health and policing, Tessa Webb makes the case that police led reform will be piecemeal without the engagement of Department of Health, Ministry of Justice and the Department of Communities and Local Government.

IN THE NEWS: Gary Mason reviews the week’s national and local police news.

NEWS: Greater Manchester take the first steps towards devolution with Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd selected as the interim mayor.

NEWS ANALYSIS: With increasing examples of local police and fire collaboration and indications that a Bill will be put forward to allow the formal merger of police and fire services, Gary Mason reports on progress.