Police management

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.

Analysis: Professor Karl Roberts is a Consultant on Health Security, Law Enforcement and Policing for the World Health Organisation. In an exclusive article for Policing Insight, he examines the different roles police may have during a pandemic and the challenges this creates alongside some suggested approaches to developing the police response.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE WINNERS: Operation Limelight, a huge multi-agency operation led by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to prevent girls and young women from becoming victims of female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, was awarded Highly Commended in the World Class Policing Awards, sponsored by Accenture. In the eighth of twelve articles focused on the award-winning nominations, Keith Potter examines the initiative which led to the signing of a historic intelligence-sharing Proclamation of Interagency Support for investigations between UK and US Law Enforcement.

Analysis: The Coronavirus crisis will test the capacity and capability of all emergency service first responders. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth looks at the pressures facing police leaders in the coming months and how effective collaboration with the military will be vital to managing the response to Covid-19.

Analysis: The latest in our Report Watch series summarises the recent inspection by the HMICFRS on Counter Terrorism Policing and the police's contribution to the Government's Prevent Programme.

Opinion: In his second blog reflecting on his six-year tenure as Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Tony Porter gives an update on the progress of the National Surveillance Camera Strategy launched in March 2017.

Analysis: Until recently, cyber digital skills vital for police investigations were not formally recognised. The Institute of Cyber Digital Investigation Professionals (ICDIP) aims to change that. Senior Project Advisor Detective Inspector Alan Martin and Cyber Digital Career Pathways Project Team Leader Fiona Paterson explain the importance of the ICDIP in recognising the specialist knowledge, skills and professional status of those involved in cyber and digital investigations.

Analysis: The latest in our Report Watch series summarises Crest Advisory's independent research into British Muslims' attitudes towards policing, extremism and the Prevent programme.

Analysis: In a series of short blogs, Surveillance Camera Commissioner Tony Porter reflects on the last six years and what the future holds for the world of camera surveillance as his commission comes to an end.

INTERVIEW: Dr Holger Nitsch, from the Police Department of the University of Applied Sciences for Public Service in Bavaria, explains to Policing Insight the unique research and innovation collaborations between German and UK police forces to tackle the twin threats of cybercrime and terrorism.    

Analysis: Across the globe homicide rates are falling, whilst in the UK they continue to rise. Professor Ian Hamilton, Professor Alex Stevens and Niamh Eastwood, Executive Director of Release, the UK centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law, discuss whether this increase is drug related or due to more complex societal factors.

Analysis: Jennifer Cobbina, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University, discusses whether the recruitment of a more diverse workforce would bring an end to police brutality against black citizens in the US, or whether the answer lies in the remoulding of a more appropriate police culture.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE WINNERS: The Durham Community Peer Mentor Project, which recruits volunteers to mentor 'high-impact' users of the emergency services, was awarded 'highly commended' at the recent inaugural World Class Policing Awards sponsored by Accenture. In the seventh of twelve articles focusing on the award-winning nominations, Keith Potter takes a closer look at this pioneering project.

INSIGHT: Drug and alcohol misuse often fuel crime and, as such, many Police and Crime Commissioners are working to reduce the harm it causes to individuals and communities. The latest edition of PCCs Making a Difference highlights the breadth of work taking place to address alcohol and drug dependency and break the cycle of re-offending.

OPINION: With increased police funding providing opportunities for real change, CIPFA Chief Executive Rob Whiteman CBE argues that policing should be high on the agenda of the forthcoming royal commission on criminal justice system promised by the government.

Announcement: Bernard Rix, CoPaCC Chief Executive and Publisher of Policing Insight, provides details of the Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners (OPCCs) recognised for meeting their statutory requirements on openness and transparency.

Analysis: The latest in our Report Watch series summarises the National Digital Policing Strategy 2020-2030 which was officially launched at this year's Police ICT Summit. The Strategy sets out a new digital ambition for UK policing.

Insight: When the Australian Federal Police's take on 'Love Actually' was released in December 2018, it went viral with 1.3million views in just three days. Manager of AFP's Government and Media Executive Tony Alderman and APF Social Media Manager Laura Haddock discuss the importance of social media for community engagement and how a little humour can be a powerful tool.

ANALYSIS: In September last year, the Police Foundation launched the Strategic Review of Policing in England and Wales. The Police Foundation's Andy Higgins reflects on the publication last week of the first in a series of Insight Papers that will inform the Strategic Review's deliberations.