Police forces

Analysis: With BME recruitment, progression and retention rates still low, former ACC Karen Vanterpool Daber, once one of the UK's most senior female Black officers, asks why the service is still having the same debate about BME officers and how it needs to change.

Analysis: Crime is becoming increasingly corporate and global in nature with highly-organised crime syndicates able to exploit the latest technology. Rob Wainwright, director of Europol, outlines the latest challenges and trends. 

Opinion: Former chief constable of the British Transport Police Andy Trotter OBE QPM, reflects on the terror attack that took place in London last week and the challenges it presents the service. 

OPINION: Following the attack on Westminster, the focus has rightly been on the bravery and sacrifice of the uniformed public services. But behind the scenes, the work of communications staff prevented the public's horror from turning into panic. Dan Slee of comms2point0 analyses the public sector comms response.

ANALYSIS: The fifth 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 Leicestershire and North Wales, both of which were examining key issues in their Police and Crime Plans.

NEWS: The Metropolitan Police is likely to face as much as £400 million in fresh budget cuts this year. Martin Hoscik of Mayorwatch talks to Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey about the scale of the cuts and the "essential" changes right across the force.

Analysis: Following the introduction of the Policing and Crime Act 2017, Police and Crime Commissioners will assume responsibility for delivering a local police complaints system. Policing Insight takes a look at the different approaches PCCs are planning to adopt. 

OPINION: Sir Hugh Orde, former PSNI Chief Constable and President of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), provides a personal perspective on the Westminster attack, and identifies key challenges that police leaders now face.

Analysis: England and Wales' Policing Vision 2025 and Scotland's Policing 2026 outline where the police service sees itself, both north and south of the border, in ten years time. Former Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett assesses both strategies and considers whether ambition can be turned into reality.

Analysis: Recent reports reveal that of the number of FGM Protection Orders successfully made in the last two years, police forces in England and Wales accounted for less than 20 per cent. Why are the numbers so low?

Opinion: Chief Superintendent Gordon Crossan, President of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, explores Police Scotland's draft 10-year plan and how its successful delivery will depend on the quality of its workforce, not on the quantity.

News Feature: Forces need to prepare for another surge in hate crime and make sure victims are confident to report incidents as the deadline approaches for invoking Article 50 this month and Britain negotiates its exit from the European Union, according to a national charity tackling the issue across the UK.

OPINION: The National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners' (APCC) ‘Policing Vision 2025’ sets out a vision of transformational change across the whole of policing. Dr Stephen Brookes, Senior Fellow in Public Policy and Leadership at the University of Manchester, outlines the key leadership questions that will shape policing over the course of the next ten years.

OPINION: Taser has been a hot topic in recent weeks, with surveys suggesting that both police officers and the public want to see more Tasers on the streets. Steve White of the Police Federation argues that more open public engagement is needed - as well as sufficient resources - to make sure officers get the kit they need.

ANALYSIS: The Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland have set out their strategy for policing in Scotland over the next ten years - Policing 2026. Independent researcher Kath Murray analyses the strategy and what it really means in the long term for policing in Scotland.

News feature: Police officers’ understanding of fraud and cyber crime needs to match their ability to respond to and investigate ‘mainstream’ offences such as theft and burglary if the service is to fulfil its primary role of keeping the public safe, according to the City of London Police.

Feature: As the shortage of detectives reaches crisis levels, according to HMIC, some forces are turning to direct entry schemes to fill the gap, amid concerns the scheme ignores the value of time spent in a uniform and resources are already too stretched to successfully implement the programme. 

Analysis: Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner and NHS England's new £15m jointly-commissioned service to support vulnerable detainees and reduce re-offending is the first of its kind and is already attracting considerable interest, but can it deliver on its promises? 

OPINION: Last week's HMIC police effectiveness (PEEL) report painted a worrying picture about the state of policing. However, Gavin Hales of the Police Foundation argues the demands of HMIC may be impossible to meet for some forces - and that the report should be seen as a warning flag to the Home Office and Treasury that all is not well.

OPINION: Earlier this week, HMIC assessed Durham Constabulary the highest overall classification, "outstanding", in their national assessment of police effectiveness. Durham PCC Ron Hogg provides his personal perspective on the Inspection.

OPINION: With the Police and Crime Act 2017 receiving Royal Assent and the new statutory duty for the emergency services to collaborate coming into force in April, the Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service hails the opportunities for the fire and rescue services to develop closer and stronger partnerships with policing

ANALYSIS: The fourth 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 Dorset's work to improve its own performance, and examines the determination of allowances for Panel members in other PCPs.

OPINION: Taking on a 45,000-strong organisation, with a budget of more than £2.5 billion would stretch the most seasoned corporate executive - and the Met faces some serious challenges in the years ahead. Nick Alston of Anglia Ruskin University's Policing Institute for the Eastern Region warns that the role may be too demanding for any senior officer.

Opinion: Sir Hugh Orde OBE QPM, former chief constable of PSNI and head of what was then the Association of Chief Police Officers explores the challenges facing Cressida Dick, the newly-appointed Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, and the skills and attributes she brings to the role.