Operational policing

Innovation: The rolling out of a new perpetrator programme proven to be successful in reducing domestic violence has been put on hold, due to the outbreal of COVID-19. Policing Insight contributor Sarah Gibbons discusses the Drive programme, the methodology behind it and how it can make a real and sustained difference to victims everywhere.

OPINION: Necessity is, as they say, the mother invention and here Nick Bradley, Managing Director of Enlighten Training and Consultancy describes how the Coronavirus emergency has accelerated the modernisation of training delivery with one large police force.

INTERVIEW: As the government seeks to implement new anti-terror emergency measures to prevent the early release of convicted terrorists, Professor Emeritus Clive Walker, international terrorism expert and senior special adviser to the UK’s Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, tells Policing Insight about the complex challenges around convicted terrorists and suspects.

Opinion: Travelling through France as the lockdown was announced, Tristram Hicks, a former detective superintendent and now a global consultant on organised international crime, money laundering and corruption, gives a personal account of how the French are enforcing the lockdown as the country attempts to counter the spread of Covid-19.

ANALYSIS: As law enforcement across the world adjusts to policing the pandemic, Associate Professor Terry Goldsworthy and Assistant Professor Robyn Lincoln from Bond University explore the role the Australian police forces play in managing this crisis.

Advertisement Feature: Police forces have been given unprecedented powers to help reduce the spread of coronavirus but face challenges in reducing their own risk of infection whilst carrying out their duties. Jamie Wilson of NICE Public Safety explains how using a Digital Evidence Management System can help and invites those concerned to attend a free webinar on Wednesday, 15th April at 10am UK / 11pm CET / 7pm AEST.

INTERVIEW: Norfolk Constabulary axed the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) role two years ago as part of a wider initiative to improve service delivery and reduce costs by 2020. Despite increased funding, the drive to recruit more officers and the NPCC and College of Policing's commitment to the role, Norfolk Chief Constable Simon Bailey tells Policing Insight why PCs, not PCSOs, are the way forward.  

INTERVIEW: As cybercrime continues to rise, Policing Insight talks to Superintendent Rebecca Chapman, Director of the North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC), a unique partnership between police, big business and universities to help protect smaller businesses from the threat of online crime.

OPINION: Dr Emma Williams of Canterbury Christ Church University provides her review of the #WeCops Twitter debate last week, examining UK police's response to the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.

Opinion: Whilst the police are highly adept at managing emergency calls, data on the many other reasons people call the police is lacking. Crisis Communication Consultant Amanda Coleman, who has more than twenty years experience in law enforcement communications, says it is this detail that is needed for a truly effective call-handling response.

Opinion: In her most recent blog, director of Transform Justice Penelope Gibbs considers the issue of police custody for adults who have been arrested and detained and offers suggestions on how to keep this to a minimum during the Covid-19 crisis.

ANALYSIS: Just twelve days ago, Policing Insight established an International Advisory Board (IAB), to help shape our contribution to policing's global response to Coronavirus Covid-19. Here, Policing Insight's Publisher, Bernard Rix, provides an early update on the IAB's work.

OPINION: Deloitte's Public Safety lead in the Gulf region, Andrew Morley, examines how police and other public safety agencies in the Middle East might respond to Covid-19. There are already very significant demands placed upon these agencies in enforcing the critical public health measures introduced to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus - but is there more?

Opinion: Data is the 'oxygen' of decision-making and is potentially at its most powerful when it integrated with other data. Former Deputy Chief Constable and now strategic adviser on digital policing transformation Paul Kennedy and Managing Director of Microsoft software development company Black Marble Robert Hogg explore how forces can better integrate their data sets to improve outcomes.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE WINNERS: An operation led by Dubai Police’s Anti-Narcotics Unit, which smashed an international smuggling ring and led to the United Arab Emirates’ largest drugs seizure, was awarded Highly Commended in the World Class Policing Awards, sponsored by Accenture. In the ninth of twelve articles focusing on the award-winning nominations, Keith Potter takes a closer look at this innovative and collaborative operation.

OPINION: Andy Rhodes QPM is the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary, and the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for well being and staff engagement. Here, he provides his thoughts on the organisational impact of Covid-19 on policing and how leaders can make the coming weeks easier for their staff.

Analysis: With UK police forces struggling to recruit and retain cyber-skilled staff, Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth considers what this means for the war against cyber crime and why so many digitally skilled staff are opting for a career in the private sector.

OPINION: Policing Insight's Publisher, Bernard Rix, considers whether the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic will irrevocably damage British policing's "policing by consent" model first set out by Sir Robert Peel in 1829. Can policing emerge all the stronger for the societal challenges the virus will bring?

Analysis: The UK has a wealth of experience in contingency planning, but Covid-19 is unprecedented in terms of scale and complexity. Drawing on interviews with senior contingency planners about the response so far, Professor Clifford Stott and former Chief Superintendent Owen West outline current challenges and offer preliminary recommendations to help navigate the weeks ahead.

Analysis: The Coronavirus is likely to create new opportunities for crime as well as curtail others, says Professor Karl Roberts, a Consultant on Health Security and Policing for the World Health Organisation. Here, he examines the potential impact a pandemic can have on different crime types.

NEW REPORT: Emergency calls to the police have continued to rise whilst 101 calls have fallen, according to CoPaCC's latest thematic - CoPaCC Police Contact Management: Demand Analysis Report - which examines trends and performance in UK call handling and online crime reporting over the last three years.

Opinion: In the time of national emergency, it is vital the public understand what the police expect of them. Crisis Communication Consultant Amanda Coleman, who has more than twenty years experience in law enforcement communications, highlights ways to ensure the messaging is clear, consistent and regular.

Analysis: The police, public health and other public and private sector organisations are facing huge challenges as they tackle the Coronavirus, but how are they managed at a local level? CoPaCC Director Ian Wiggett examines the vital role of the UK's Local Resilience Forums in ensuring a coordinated response to an unprecedented situation.

Analysis: The latest in our Report Watch series summarises a report by Policy Exchange: Policing a Pandemic - The challenges of maintaining law and order during the Coronavirus response.