7th May 2019
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Chief constable recruitment and retention, the legacy of austerity, measuring performance and maintaining transparency are just some of the issues to be explored at this year's Police Governance Summit 2019. BOOKING IS NOW OPEN for the Summit which takes place 3 - 4 July, 2019. Put the dates in your diary today - and book your place now!
OPINION: Increasing pressure on police has led to officers recording incidents, rather than actively preventing them. Serving officer Martin Gallagher warns that this trend is damaging to public confidence and that police need to position themselves as society's active guardians, not passive observers.
Analysis: Dr. Catriona Havard of The Open University and Dr. Martin Thirkettle of Sheffield Hallam University present their new research showing that small variations in the background colour of photo lineups can increase errors in identification of innocent suspects.
Analysis: The recent Extinction Rebellion demonstrations brought the policing of protests into sharp focus with officers' seemingly 'softly, softly' approach drawing both praise and criticism. Former Greater Manchester Police ACC Ian Wiggett argues the importance of knowing where to draw the line between engaging with protesters and 'stepping in'.
Analysis: Like all forms of extremism, the rise of the far right has been ably assisted by the internet, but now law enforcement is using technology to stem the spread of extremism. Policing Insight contributor and Senior Research Fellow at CENTRIC Andrew Staniforth examines the RED-Alert project which detects content that fuels division and hatred in real time.
INSIGHT: Det Ch Supt Chris Todd is the West Midlands Police Head of Professional Standards and the NPCC Lead for Data Analytics. In this exclusive article for Policing Insight, he responds to recent press coverage suggesting that the West Midlands Police Ethics Committee had "raised the alarm" over the force's potential use of a 'predictive policing' tool.
23rd April 2019
ANALYSIS: At the time of the 2011 London riots, many commentators and politicians blamed the rioters rather than looking for underlying causes. However, a three-year research project suggests this was mistaken. Stephen Reicher, of the University of St Andrews; Clifford Stott, of Keele University, and John Drury, of the University of Sussex, explain their findings.
INTERVIEW: The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 received Royal Assent on 12th February. Anti-terror law expert Professor Emeritus Clive Walker QC (Hon), the Specialist Senior Advisor to the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, explains to Policing Insight the provisions of the new laws and the amendments made to existing powers.
Analysis: Ten years ago, London was the scene of the G20 Summit protests. This week climate change activists caused major disruption in the city. Protests are part and parcel of a liberal democracy, but how do we ensure they are ethically policed? Professor Peter Joyce and Dr Wendy Laverick examine the lessons of history and the implications for policing future protests.
Opinion: The role of Police and Crime Commissioner may still be in its relative infancy, but PCCs are already driving change, in particular, the current drugs policy which former drug policy lead for West Midlands OPCC and now Head of Policy for the National Youth Advocacy Service Ben Twomey argues is well overdue for reform.
Innovation: Lewis Westbury, a software developer for 15 years, a special constable for almost 10 and now founder and volunteer coordinator of Police Rewired, highlights several interesting pieces of research sourced in Crime Survey of England and Wales data, and the implications for developing practical tools in the fight against crime.
Opinion: Is official endorsement of the participation of on-duty uniformed officers in Pride events across the country blurring a very important line? Blogger, substantive Detective Constable and LLB undergraduate the Secular Detective explains why he thinks that the principles of police officer impartiality are being eroded.
Opinion: Mobile data, interoperability, drones, evolving communications: just four of the key technology challenges facing policing right now. Ian Thompson, the CEO of the British Association of Public Communications Officers (BAPCO), looks at why it is so difficult to procure and implement solutions that deliver the benefits required.
INNOVATION: Children who witness domestic abuse often keep their suffering to themselves or display their feelings through 'acting out' at school. Operation Encompass is a confidential information-sharing scheme between police and schools that aims to identify children early, offering them better support and safeguarding, Syreeta Lund reports.
LONG READ: How does community policing translate to a former war zone like South Sudan? Jackie Gold, Chief Inspector with Avon and Somerset Police, explains the importance of gaining a clear understanding of the mandate, finding opportunities for ‘quick wins’, influencing others, cultural awareness and taking risks.
2nd April 2019
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: BOOKING IS OPEN for the first annual "Police Governance" summit, which will take place on Wednesday 3rd to Thursday 4th July 2019. Put the dates in your diary today - and book your place now! CoPaCC Chief Executive and Policing Insight Publisher, Bernard Rix, sets out why you should attend...
INSIGHT: The Police Foundation's recent report, Data-driven Policing and Public Value, highlights the fundamental importance of data to service delivery. Catherine Levin explores the findings of the report, including the benefits of identifying common areas of interest around data between police and fire.
OPINION: British policing has included volunteers for nearly 200 years - but what can it learn from others, and vice versa? A new research partnership between the UK and Japan will explore the possibilities: Matthew Callender, Laura Knight, Iain Britton, Kimihiro Hino and Mamoru Amemiya explain.
INTERVIEW: The terror attack in New Zealand has exposed fault lines in the prevention of extreme right-wing related terrorism. Ahead of the forthcoming review of the UK’s Prevent strategy, researcher Neda Richards talks to Policing Insight about the findings of her unique research analysing preventative counter-terrorism policing and the impact of community engagement on public cooperation.
OPINION: How can police forces integrate EBP into their daily working practices? Insp. Roger Pegram, GMP EBP Tactical Lead and Vice Chair of the Society of Evidence-Based Policing (SEBP), discusses the aims, ambition and approach to delivering change at the frontline.
25th March 2019
Opinion: Automatic facial recognition (AFR) systems can provide new ways to protect the public, but public support and reassurance rests on a transparent and robust regulatory framework governing its use, says Surveillance Camera Commissioner Tony Porter.
