Operational policing

ANALYSIS: Ian Wiggett, CoPaCC Director and former Greater Manchester Police ACC, reflects on the current state of police ICT, and argues that much greater collaboration on ICT between forces is urgently needed.

Opinion: For a number of years now, a growing number of critical communications experts from UK and around the world have been watching with horror as the UK Government, led by HM Treasury, Cabinet Office and Home Office, has attempted to deliver a next-generation communications network for public safety and emergency services personnel.

Analysis: The second report by Forensic Science Regulator Dr Gillian Tully has warned that a lack of funding for forensic science is “jeopardising the integrity of the criminal justice system”.

OPINION: The penal system may not have many good news stories to tell - but one is the reduction in child arrests, down 59% since 2010. Andrew Neilson of the Howard League says the role of the police in this has been largely overlooked - but that there is still work to do to keep children from entering the criminal justice system.

opinion: PC Upile Mtitimila is a neighbourhood officer for Cheshire Police and a member of the 2016 Police Now Cohort. Here he writes about his new policing ‘family’ and how the job has matched his expectations.  

Technology: We're all familiar with the police mugshot taken of the hapless offender in the police custody suite. Over the years the quality of photographs has significantly worsened. However, forces could be missing a trick because new and emerging technology means the humble and largely neglected mugshot now has a greater part to play in combating crime.

OPINION: Volunteer Reserve Deputies in the US share much of the same training and responsibilities as regular police officers - including carrying guns. Dr Iain Britton of the Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice reflects on his recent trip to research volunteer Reserve Deputies in Orlando, Florida, and draws some comparisons with Special Constables in the UK.

OPINION: Earlier this month, Simon Chesterman, the National Police Chief's Council lead for armed policing, responded to Prof. Maurice Punch's article on armed police and the use of lethal force, arguing that command accountability is as robust as it can be under the current law. Here Prof. Punch - with Ralph Crawshaw and Geoffrey Markham - responds in turn, underlining the importance of accountability where tactics are highly likely to cause death.

OPINION: Last week’s Police ICT Summit signalled a welcome step in a positive direction, says Clare Elford, Managing Director of Clue, a technology company providing specialist investigative software. But suggests it's now time for a greater focus on effective engagement with smaller technology providers.

Interview: The Police Federation of England and Wales is currently campaigning to change the legislation to ensure that police officers who engage in pursuits and response driving can have better legal protection. Jayne Willetts, the PFEW's lead on roads policing tells Policing Insight why the service needs to get behind the campaign.

Interview: Devon and Cornwall Police are taking the national lead in combating human trafficking following the Government’s autumn announcement of £8.5m to combat the problem.  Syreeta Lund talks to DCI Ben Deer about how the force is responding.

OPINION: The impact of knife attacks on police officers can be catastrophic - and life-threatening. So why are unarmed officers sent to deal with a lethal threat? Serving officer West Coast Response outlines the case for sending armed officers to deal with edged weapons, and asks why this is not done as a matter of course.

ANALYSIS: Research shows that 'hate crime' - being abused or attacked because of personal identity - can have a powerful emotional effect. But for police officers, it's often regarded as part of the job. Dr Irene Zempi outlines police experiences of abuse, and calls for a debate about the proper response to the targeted victimisation of officers.

ANALYSIS: The third of a monthly series in which CoPaCC's Sandra Andrews takes a look at some of the most interesting and topical issues that Police and Crime Panels across England and Wales are dealing with. This month, Sandra looks at PCP websites, with a focus on the London approach, plus how North Yorkshire and Avon and Somerset are dealing with cybercrime.

OPINION: In November, Prof. Maurice Punch wrote that authorised firearms officers were being left to 'carry the can' for the use of lethal force. Simon Chesterman, the National Police Chief's Council lead for armed policing, responds to Prof. Punch's article, and argues that command accountability is as robust as it can be under the current law.

interview: The sight of drug addicts huddled in the shadows or of streets littered with used syringes is hardly a vision of utopia. After 30 years as a police officer, rising through the ranks to inspector, Arfon Jones, now Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, has plenty of first-hand experience seeing the ravages of drug use on both individuals and local communities.

OPINION: What is it like to be a Direct Entry Superintendent? Maggie Blyth offers her thoughts on what the scheme can offer, and her experiences as a new entrant to policing.

OPINION: A recent Accenture survey of 165 technology leaders within police, justice and intelligence agencies found that financial constraints, increased citizen expectations, and the need to modernise operations are driving the increasing use of digital technologies. James Slessor of Accenture unpacks the results of the survey, and outlines some of the groundbreaking directions public safety agencies are exploring.

OPINION: Policing faces unprecedented challenges as we move into the new year. Chief Superintendent John Sutherland outlines those challenges, and calls for our response to those challenges to begin with care and regard for those who stand on the thin blue line.

OPINION: The news that Durham Special Constabulary is to begin rolling out new rank insignia sparked a fierce debate on social media as to whether the change was needed. Dale Checksfield, Chief Officer of Durham Special Constabulary, makes the case for Specials to be fully integrated into the police family, including training, qualifications - and rank.

LONG READ: The mass retention of data, even for the prevention of terrorism and serious crime, needs to be carefully justified. However, when it comes to Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), there appears to be a gap in the oversight regime. Professor Lorna Woods of Essex University warns that police use of ANPR data is exposed to legal challenge, with potentially serious consequences.

OPINION: In many recent controversies involving the police, the voices of officers have been barely heard. In this second of two articles, Sandra Andrews of CoPaCC talks to an officer with direct experience of being spat at, and the emotional and physical ramifications of his experience.

OPINION: In many recent controversies involving the police, the voices of officers have been barely heard. Sandra Andrews of CoPaCC calls for urgent attention to be paid to the perspectives of police officers, particularly on issues - such as spit guards - that directly affect their physical and emotional welfare.

ANALYSIS: Many people believe that eyewitness identification is inherently unreliable, and this belief is reflected in scholarly articles, textbooks, and juror briefings. Laura Mickes argues that not only are eyewitness IDs potentially more reliable than commonly assumed, but that small changes to criminal justice procedure could significantly increase the reliability of such testimony.