United Kingdom

OPINION: A digital policing summit held recently in London brought together public safety and thought leaders from across the UK and overseas to discuss the challenges and opportunities arising from digital disruption. James Slessor, who leads Accenture’s Public Safety business, outlines the outcomes from the summit and of the shared-experiences of industry attendees.  

OPINION: Demand - and crime levels, particularly violent crime - are up, while police officers are under ever growing pressure. Chief Superintendent John Sutherland says it's past time for a proper, grown-up conversation about the future of policing in the UK

INSIGHT: There was a real gap in the provision of independent information to victims about where best they could find support, and also a lack of opportunity for victims to leave objective feedback that would help others choose the most appropriate services. Sam Smith of Supporting Justice talks about the launch of Victims Choice to fill the gap.

Insight: CCTV is a vital part of police investigations, but retrieving it can be laborious and time-consuming. Sarah Doyle, MD and co-founder of Kinesense explores the issues and discusses the value of having a video evidence strategy.

Analysis: Officers have always gathered evidence, but now that technological advances have placed digital evidence from multiple sources at the core of investigations, the challenge for forces is how to gather, store and share massive amounts of data. Is the cloud the solution?

Insight: The cost of cybercrime to business is almost incalculable. As criminals exploit the speed, convenience and anonymity of the internet – the cost is shared by government, commerce and individuals and these expenses are unexpected, unbudgeted and often take a toll beyond just money. Bromium EMEA CTO Fraser Kyne explores the investigative tools available to the police.

Partner announcement: Following the publication Vigilant's Digital Policing Review Capability Assessment 2017, Stephen Roberts announces new research into issues suggested by the service, findings from which will be published on Policing Insight.

OPINION: The High Court recently issued a judgment with significant implications for the power of Police and Crime Commissioners to suspend (and potentially dismiss) Chief Constables. The Police Foundation's Director, Dr Rick Muir, considers the evidence.

ANALYSIS: As we await the announcement of the latest Police Transformation Fund awards, Dr Iain Britton - a CoPaCC Director focusing on police transformation funding and delivery - shares some thoughts on the current approach and future direction of national investment in 'transforming' policing.

OPINION: What are police forces chasing when they seek greater diversity? And is it enough to focus on the percentages? Serving officer Gareth Stubbs argues it's time to return to first principles: diversity isn't about numbers but about legitimacy.

Insight: In 2015, the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) published a report outlining the direction the service was taking in terms of digitising its investigation and intelligence capabilities. Two years on and one force is making encouraging progress. 

Opinion: Victims of repeated harassment or stalking are frequently let down by under-recording, inconsistent services and a lack of understanding by the criminal justice system, according to a recent report published by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI). Rachel Griffin, Chief Executive of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust calls for better awareness within the criminal justice system.

Analysis: The Scottish Police Authority was established four years ago to oversee the newly-formed Police Scotland, but, in that time, the authority has faced intense criticism. Former President of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents Niven Rennie takes a closer look at the problems the Authority has faced.

OPINION: Recent weeks have seen the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) mired in controversy bordering on farce. Kath Murray examines the state of the SPA and warns that it must be made properly accountable to Parliament, and its ties to government ministers weakened.

Analysis: Dr Karen Lumsden, a senior lecturer in Sociology at the University of Loughborough, explores the dynamics of police and academic partnerships in terms of what works and what doesn't.

OPINION: Senior police officers have traditionally been reluctant to comment on issues that stray into political territory. However, the recent general election saw several senior officers break with this to publicly highlight the damage caused by budget cuts. Chief Supt Owen West applauds their openness.

Technology: More and more UK forces are under pressure to move away from using insecure social media apps like WhatsApp towards a secure police-wide communications platform. Andy Lilly, Director and Co-Founder of Armour Communications, explores the issue.

Opinion: Retired Metropolitan Police Service Detective Superintendent Paul Downing is the former head of the MPS Crime Academy Intelligence Faculty. He argues intelligence training has been marginalised in recent years and is failing to keep pace with the changing times.

Opinion: Based on thirty years policing experience and his academic research with the University of Portsmouth, Mark Taylor offers an ethical alternative to the College of Policing’s National Decision Model (NDM) currently used in the police service.  

Insight:  A survey carried out by the College of Policing earlier this year revealed Police and Crime Commissioners were concerned about the lack of applicants for chief officer roles. In response, the College launched a series of initiatives looking at the barriers to applying, but also what experience and qualifications tomorrow's police leaders will need. Giselle Lockett, the College Lead for Professional Development, updates Policing Insight on the College's progress.

OPINION: Chief Superintendent Gavin Thomas, President of the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales, argues that it's time to restore the balance in police funding.

Opinion: Former Chief Executive to the London Criminal Justice Board Andrew Morley was a member of the original team behind the Virtual Court initiative. Ten years on, he says the opportunities presented by Virtual Courts have not been realised and there now needs to be a different approach if the benefits are to be achieved. 

Analysis: Following the London Olympics in 2012, the Metropolitan Police Service began to struggle to recruit and retain experienced officers in its Public Order Cadre. Birmingham University Senior Lecturer, Dr Amy Fraher has looked into the reasons why.

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