Police forces

INTERVIEW: Chief Inspector Phil Vickers is Lincolnshire Police’s rural crime lead and the co-ordinator of policing’s first national strategy on hare coursing - the illegal hunting of hares with greyhounds. He tells Policing Insight what impact the new national strategy will have and why it matters that hare coursing is taken seriously.

opinion: Resourcing Manager at British Transport Police Tom Webb-Skinner examines the essential differences between positive action (PA) and positive discrimination (PD) and what the police can do to lessen the confusion that surrounds this. Tom’s views are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of British Transport Police.

Analysis: Several high-profile suspensions of Chief Constables by Police and Crime Commissioners have shone a spotlight on the apparent lack of guidance, scrutiny and transparency in the process. Has the time come for Police and Crime Panels to play a greater role in the proceedings?

OPINION: New Zealand Police has established the world's first Evidence-Based Policing Service Centre. New Zealand Police’s Deputy Chief Executive Service Delivery Mark Evans OBE explains why it was set up and how Evidence-Based Policing is helping New Zealand 'be the safest country'.

opinion: The police can be heavily criticised for adopting what is called the warrior mentality of an "us versus them" approach to policing communities. RCMP Inspector Kevin Cyr looks at the nuances of this approach - and why we shouldn't give up on it altogether if we want to keep communities and police officers safe.

analysis: The nature of crime is ever-changing and increasingly complex. The National Crime Agency has warned that, when it comes to innovation in policing, it is either sink or swim. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth urges the UK to look to the Netherlands as an example of innovation done well.

FREE ACCESS: Policing Insight welcomes officers and staff from Merseyside Police, who now have FREE access to Policing Insight with the start of a new organisation wide subscription. Policing Insight is now available FREE to officers and staff in many UK forces and in other police and criminal justice organisations - read on to find out how to use your FREE subscriber access.

Interview: Kent-based charity Dads Unlimited has recently been awarded £20,000 by Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott to help reduce police demand. Its founder and chief executive Nav Mirza tells Policing Insight how proper support for fathers involved in custody disputes eases the pressure on frontline policing.

analysis: With Prime Minister Theresa May's departure imminent, the Tory leadership candidates are now fighting over who's tougher on crime, which, according to one poll, has become the second greatest public concern. Ian Wiggett looks at the candidates' promises, the reality of funding allocation, and potential obstacles.

NEWS: The Queen's Birthday Honours lists for 2019 recognise the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom. Many congratulations to those in and associated with policing who have been recognised this year...

Advertorial: Innovation has always been a part of policing, but how do you harness it? Charlie de Rusett, co-founder of Idea Drop which provides a platform for forces to share innovative ideas, introduces the speakers at this month's Public Sector Innovation Summit 2019 who will offer tips and strategies on promoting innovation in your organisation.

analysis: While the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners has brought benefits to policing such as greater accountability, research carried out by Dr Steve Watts has revealed significant concerns among chief constables that the power imbalance between PCCs and chiefs threatens the operational delivery of policing.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: The second annual Police Governance Summit takes place on 3rd - 4th July in Daventry. Bernard Rix, CoPaCC Chief Executive and Policing Insight Publisher, sets out why the Summit is a "must-attend" for those interested and involved in policing governance. BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW - there's not much more time left to do so!

OPINION: Crime on university campuses has made headlines in the US - but are we neglecting real risks here in the UK? Dr Brian Moss of Coventry University outlines the vulnerabilities of student life and accommodation and warns that university security needs closer attention.

Interview: Following the terrorist attacks in New Zealand and Sri Lanka, international counter-extremism expert Dr Richard Burchill explains to Policing Insight the importance of understanding the root causes of extremism as well as enhancing physical security to combat terrorism.

Opinion: Virtual courts have been heralded as a route to quicker and more effective justice, but Penelope Gibbs of Transform Justice says there is no support within policing to oversee the running of these courts.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: When Lincolnshire Police decided to transform their control room, they wanted a system that was a 'resolver of demand' rather than a conduit. Motorola Solutions' Mohammed Rafiq describes how the force's innovative approach to procurement and subsequent collaboration with Motorola helped the force achieve its aims.

OPINION: Policing Insight publisher and Bedfordshire resident, Bernard Rix, was in the audience for last week's innovative "public selection" of the next Bedfordshire Chief Constable. Here, he reflects on what he learned...

Analysis: With reports that gang violence is increasing, Dr Robert Hesketh, a lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, examines the potential benefits of 'social mixing' in helping to divert those at risk from joining gangs .

FREE ACCESS: Policing Insight welcomes officers and staff from Police Scotland who now have FREE access to Policing Insight with the start of a new organisation wide subscription. Policing Insight is now available FREE to officers and staff in many UK forces and other police and criminal justice organisations - read on to find out how to use your FREE subscriber access.

Analysis: Continuing our series on the implications of the Data Protection Act 2018, Owen Sayers, an enterprise architect, privacy and security specialist with thirty years' experience in the CJS explains the principles of Part 3 of the Act and how they impact law enforcement.

analysis: British victims of overseas terror, already experiencing loss and horror, can return home only to be "let down" by the government. Andrew Staniforth outlines victim compensation schemes, developed in response to overseas and home terrorist attacks, and highlights the issues preventing victims from receiving proper support.

Opinion: Following an initial inspection of 14 forces as part of the PEEL Inspection process for 2018/19, HM Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr says the cracks are starting to appear in policing. But, none of HMICFRS’ concerns are new, suggesting the cracks are already there - they are just getting wider.

Analysis: There have been nine reports and reviews of forensic science over the past decade, highlighting numerous problems. The latest House of Lord's report has described the quality and delivery of forensic provision as "inadequate". Keith Potter explores the ongoing issues facing this sector and what needs to change.