United Kingdom

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.

REPORT: Download the latest report covering policing and police and crime commissioner activity during May.

OPINION: Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill highlights the benefits of mental health triage pilots in Dorset and across the country.

ANALYSIS: Simon Bullock, a former Director of Policy for Bedfordshire PCC, assesses the essential elements of the Criminal Justice Inspectorates' "Joint inspection of the provision of charging decisions".

OPINION: Charlotte Pickles of the Reform think-tank suggests three key areas of focus for policing so as to deliver "more for less".

OPINION: Chief Superintendent John Sutherland of the Metropolitan Police responds to an article in The Guardian recently by a prize winning Met police constable explaining why he quit the force.

OPINION: Martin Surl, independent Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire and former serving officer, talks to Nick Alatti about the General Election result, tackling cyber-crime and progressive initiatives for the policing of young people.

OPINION: Northamptonshire's Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, Adam Simmonds gives his reaction to the Queen's Speech.

OPINION: Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales and a former Labour minister and MP, Alun Duncan gives his reaction to the Queen's Speech.

OPINION: Following the Police Federation Conference last week, well known blogger, serving police inspector and police federation representative "Nathan Constable" gives his views on the future of the Police Federation.

ANALYSIS: Simon Bullock, a former Director of Policy for Bedfordshire PCC, assesses the impact on policing of the bills announced in the Queen's Speech.

NEWS: Details of the Investigatory Powers Bill 2015, from the Government's briefing document following the Queen's Speech.

NEWS: Relevant to policing for its impact on PCCs, details of the Cities & Local Govt Bill 2015, from the Government's briefing document following the Queen's Speech

NEWS: Details of the Policing & Criminal Justice Bill 2015, from the Government's briefing document following the Queen's Speech.

NEWS: The Government's plans for further police reform have this morning been set out in the Queen's Speech. Bernard Rix provides a brief summary.

NEWSLINK: Police helicopter base closed with claims there was not "one shred of opposition" to losing the service.

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