Police management

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.

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.

ANALYSIS: Kate Temple-Brown, Founder and Managing Director of Apprenticeship Levy specialist Aequalis, examines the implications of the new Levy for forces ahead of its national introduction on 6th April, 2017. How well prepared is your own force?

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: Offences against women and girls are on the increase. Katy Bourne, Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex Police explains how co-commissioning offers victims greater choice and a better outcome.

Analysis: The unveiling by the College of Policing (CoP) of a new Police Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF) last month prompted some strong reactions and a heated debate, with the announcement that by 2020 all new recruits would be educated to degree level (either before joining the service, or during their first three years in the job) proving the most controversial issue.

OPINION: Leadership and wellbeing are both key areas for policing, and this month Northamptonshire Constabulary hosted a major event looking at both. Dr Ian Hesketh reports back from the conference and the spirit of optimism pervading the event.

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.

Interview: The number of women killed at the hands of their partners or ex-partners in the UK is truly shocking. Between 2009 and 2015, men killed nearly 1,000 women and girls. In two-thirds of those cases, the perpetrator knew his victim. Polly Neate, CEO of Women's Aid, tells Tina Orr Munro the service needs to do more to tackle the problem.

analysis: Sixteen years ago, I interviewed a custody officer who, tired of waiting for the much delayed NSPIS Case Preparation and Custody IT system, worked with a supplier to develop his own version for his force. The experience summed up Police IT then and for many years to come.

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: Last week the new Police Education Qualifications Framework was unveiled, to a mixed reaction that was at times extremely hostile. Serving officer Gareth Stubbs unpicks the announcement, and punctures some of the myths and misunderstandings around the new plans.

ANALYSIS: NPC recently organised a round-table event, in partnership with the Police Foundation, to discuss the opportunities for collaboration between PCCs and charities. Grace Wyld, an NPC Researcher, identifies the key messages emerging from that event. 

OPINION: Earlier this week, Laura Knight, Director of the IPSCJ, outlined some of the barriers to barriers to evidence-based policing and her thoughts on how to overcome them. Here, serving police inspector and police researcher Nathan Constable outlines his thoughts on the challenges of evidence based policing.

OPINION: Earlier this week, Laura Knight, Director of the IPSCJ, outlined some of the barriers to barriers to evidence-based policing and her thoughts on how to overcome them. Here, senior lecturer Emma Williams of Canterbury Christ Church University outlines some thoughts on the challenges of evidence based policing.

OPINION: Last week the Police Foundation presented new research on the governance of specialist policing capabilities. Ian Wiggett, CoPaCC Associate and former Greater Manchester Police ACC, responds to the report, and examines the difficulties and opportunities offered by national and regional collaboration.

OPINION: College of Police chief executive CC Alex Marshall this week called for an end to the blame culture in policing, and good officers being hung out to dry. Chief Superintendent John Sutherland reflects on the difference between mistakes and misconduct - and the need for police to know that they are supported when doing their jobs.

Fire Mergers: PCC Stephen Mold on the future of joint police and fire initiatives in Northamptonshire and his plans for improving services to the public

FIRE MERGERS: PCC Lord Willy Bach calls for common sense collaboration between services and argues that giving PCCs the power to take over the running of Fire and Rescue Authorities is a step too far

OPINION: Ian Wiggett, CoPaCC Associate and former Greater Manchester Police ACC, casts an expert eye over the Vision published last week by NPCC and APCC, which indicates agreement about the challenges ahead. But will there be sufficient consensus amongst key wider stakeholders to see these challenges addressed?

OPINION: Morale in the police service is a key issue, highlighted by the results of recent surveys by the Police Federation and the Police Dependants' Trust. Emma Williams of Canterbury Christ Church University calls for the embedding of a culture of participatory leadership at every rank, to ensure communication, curiosity, collaboration, and trust.

NEWS: CoPaCC surveyed 40 OPCCs and discovered that support for taking on fire governance is limited at this stage with boundary alignment, existing governance arrangements and political opposition proving a considerable challenge