United Kingdom

OPINION: Policing is a service that should be held to the highest standards, but constant attacks from the media and politicians reflect a shallow understanding of the job. Ashley Kilgallon, a doctoral researcher at the University of Leeds, warns that such simplistic critiques are legitimising the destruction of a public service.

OPINION: As London suffers an epidemic of knife crime, and more officers break under the strain, the government narrative still appears to be unrelentingly negative. Former Chief Superintendent John Sutherland warns that it is time to confront this, and to talk realistically about what we want from police and policing.

OPINION: Police interviewing methods, often heralded as good practice, can be unhelpful when used with people with autism. Retired officer Phil Morris, who now delivers specialist training in this area, shares his own journey to understanding the best approach to those with autism. 

ANALYSIS: Report Watch summarises the main findings of reports that impact on policing and includes responses from the main stakeholders as well as media reaction. Here we take a look at the NCA's The Cyber Threat to UK Business 2017-2018 which details significant and emerging threats to cyber-security.

ANALYSIS: PEEL's latest report on police effectiveness suggests that neighbourhood policing in the UK is not quite as endangered as the previous year. However, Andy Higgins of the Police Foundation warns that local policing is not out of the woods quite yet.

ANALYSIS: The sexual exploitation of children is often divided into online and offline abuse - but are these categories useful? Laura Broome, Dr Cristina Izura, and Prof. Nuria Lorenzo-Dus of Swansea University argue that the distinction is not a helpful one and propose a better method of categorising child sexual abuse.

ANALYSIS: The investigation of modern slavery is hugely complex, often involving several agencies - and recent inspection reports suggest there are still problems with intelligence sharing and joint action plans. Laura Pajón of the University of Derby, and Professor Dave Walsh of De Montfort University, suggest a new way of working.

NEWS: BOOKING IS NOW OPEN for the first annual "Police Governance" summit, which has an OUTSTANDING list of speakers. The Summit will take place on Wednesday 6th to Thursday 7th June 2018. Put the dates in your diary today - and book your place now...

OPINION: Many recent terrorist attacks have been undertaken by individuals, only loosely associated with the source of the ideologies to which they claim adherence. Serving officer Martin Gallagher argues that the polarisation of political debate, and the extreme politics of identity, are leading us into dangerously uncharted territory.

ANALYSIS: British police chiefs are enthusiastic about the benefits of body-worn cameras, so how do they reconcile the cost of adoption and maintenance with the other budgetary pressures they are facing? In an article from the 2017 CoPaCC thematic report 'Body-worn Video in Policing' , former ACC Ian Wiggett looks at the issues.

OPINION: Following HMICFRS' observation that forces are not prioritising crime prevention, Evan Morris MBE, former Head of Community Safety for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Chief Fire Officers' Association lead on Ageing Safely Strategy suggests a multi-agency, intelligence-led demand reduction strategy based on WHO Injury Surveillance data could offer a way forward.

OPINION: The latest wave of murders in London has caused deep concern, with calls for a police crackdown on the violence. Prof. James Treadwell of Staffordshire University explains why such a crackdown may not work - unless it's backed by more police resources.

INSIGHT: Last week was National Autism Awareness Week during which the National Police Autism Association (NPAA) published a number of powerful blogs dispelling some myths around autism and raising awareness. The blogs reveal how one force has changed its approach to detainees with autism, but also how officers who have been diagnosed with autism manage their lives and their jobs.

OPINION: NPCC Lead on Digital Policing Steve Kavanagh says that with the right IT, police officers and staff should see data as a powerful tool, but how can this be achieved? MASS Head of Law Enforcement Business Development Chris Bacon offers a sustainable way forward.

ANALYSIS: In their latest research report, Crest Advisory examines how Police and Crime Commissioners are in a prime position to provide the energy and impetus to improve the criminal justice system at a local level, helping to build safer communities. Crest Managing Director Harvey outlines its findings.

INSIGHT: Recruitment from under-represented communities is improving, but once in officers often struggle to progress through the ranks. A new, specially-devised coaching scheme has been launched by the Superintendents' Association in partnership with the College of Policing to encourage and support officers in reaching their full potential.

ANALYSIS: Report Watch summarises the main findings of reports that impact on policing and includes responses from the main stakeholders as well as media reaction. Here we take a look at HMICFRS Peel Effectiveness 2017 which gives a national overview of effectiveness in the police service.

ANALYSIS: In the fifth of a series of special articles examining the progress of Police and Crime Commissioners as they assume joint governance over police and fire services in their areas, Catherine Levin reports on the latest PCCs to gain government approval.

OPINION: Working with partners can have its difficulties. Serving officer Martin Gallagher explains how closer, informal partnership working with local NHS hospitals led to a culture shift in collaboration - and a reduction in demand.

OPINION: Management Consultant and former Head of Innovation for Kent and Essex Police Martin Wilson believes simplifying the police's ICT strategy could bring clarity to what the service is trying to achieve and where it wants to be in the future.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: To mark National Stalking Awareness Week which takes place 16th – 20th April 2018 Suzy Lamplugh Trust are hosting a conference; discussing best practice in terms of what statutory and voluntary organisations can do to protect victims of stalking and increase reporting levels as an individual organisation and through a multi- agency approach.

OPINION: The Reform think tank recently published a new report on the potential benefits of technology for blue light services. Reform's Alex Hitchcock reflects on the technological opportunities available.

NEWS: BOOKING IS NOW OPEN for the first annual "Police Governance" summit, which will take place on Wednesday 6th to Thursday 7th June 2018. Organised with the support and guidance of leading police governance professionals, academics and stakeholders, this event explores key police governance challenges of the day. Interested in police governance? Then put the dates in your diary today - and book your place now!

NEWS: The International Digital Intelligence & Investigations Awards 2018 - supported by Policing Insight - took place in March with a formal dinner and ceremony for finalists and invited guests. The event culminated in the announcement and celebration of the winners across the 12 awards categories.