OPINION: The High Court recently issued a judgment with significant implications for the power of Police and Crime Commissioners to suspend (and potentially dismiss) Chief Constables. The Police Foundation's Director, Dr Rick Muir, considers the evidence.
Opinion: Victims of repeated harassment or stalking are frequently let down by under-recording, inconsistent services and a lack of understanding by the criminal justice system, according to a recent report published by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI). Rachel Griffin, Chief Executive of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust calls for better awareness within the criminal justice system.
Analysis: The Scottish Police Authority was established four years ago to oversee the newly-formed Police Scotland, but, in that time, the authority has faced intense criticism. Former President of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents Niven Rennie takes a closer look at the problems the Authority has faced.
OPINION: Recent weeks have seen the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) mired in controversy bordering on farce. Kath Murray examines the state of the SPA and warns that it must be made properly accountable to Parliament, and its ties to government ministers weakened.
Opinion: Retired Metropolitan Police Service Detective Superintendent Paul Downing is the former head of the MPS Crime Academy Intelligence Faculty. He argues intelligence training has been marginalised in recent years and is failing to keep pace with the changing times.
Opinion: Based on thirty years policing experience and his academic research with the University of Portsmouth, Mark Taylor offers an ethical alternative to the College of Policing’s National Decision Model (NDM) currently used in the police service.
Insight: A survey carried out by the College of Policing earlier this year revealed Police and Crime Commissioners were concerned about the lack of applicants for chief officer roles. In response, the College launched a series of initiatives looking at the barriers to applying, but also what experience and qualifications tomorrow's police leaders will need. Giselle Lockett, the College Lead for Professional Development, updates Policing Insight on the College's progress.
OPINION: Much has been written on body-worn video and its potential to reduce complaints and enhance police legitimacy. Former Senior Investigating Officer Andy Griffiths argues that BWV also challenges the criminal justice system's reliance on memory - and that it should encourage us to look again at what problems the current system is set up to solve.
OPINION: Some vulnerable individuals can contact the police disproportionately often. Supt. Andrea Barrow and Prof. Stuart Kirby of the University of Central Lancashire explain how Lancashire Constabulary has worked together with partners to set up Early Action Teams to deal with vulnerable callers.
OPINION: What's in the general election manifestos on criminal justice - and more importantly, perhaps, what isn't? Will McMahon, Deputy Director at the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, reads between the lines, and says it's time to look more closely at demand.
Analysis: Last year's Police Federation of England and Wales' Health and Well being survey of its members revealed a mental health ticking time bomb. The association, representing officers up to the rank of inspector, says officers are at breaking point, so what is the service doing about it?
OPINION: Officers taking a break have been in the news lately, with both positive and negative public responses. Serving officer Chris Excell summarises a recent @WeCops discussion on the vital need for officers to be able to take a break - publicly or privately - and the underlying issues of police welfare, stress and wellbeing in general.
OPINION: Ahead of manifesto launches and the Police Federation conference this week, Policing Insight editor Carina O'Reilly (also a Labour councillor) takes a look at what we can expect from the parties on policing – and whether what they promise matters.
OPINION: How will ongoing police reforms affect the Special Constabulary? Could their future include further integration with regulars - including the use of Taser? Dr Iain Britton, Institute for Public Safety Crime and Justice, reflects on his attendance at the annual national conference of the Association of Special Constabulary Chief Officers’ (ASCCO).
BOOK LAUNCH: "Police Chiefs in the UK: Politicians, HR Managers or Cops?" is a new book by former Met Superintendent Mark Roycroft, now Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of East London. Policing Insight Publisher Bernard Rix takes a look at a copy hot off the presses.
Opinion: As she prepares to retire after 30 years in the police service, the College of Policing's Lead on Direct Entry, Chief Superintendent Nicola Dale, looks back on her last three years in post.
ANALYSIS: Since the end of the Neighbourhood Policing Programme (NPP) in 2009, the work of neighbourhood teams across the country has significantly diverged. The Police Foundation are undertaking a major project to track these developments, and are looking for police officer and staff insights into what's been happening neighbourhood policing in your area.
NEWS: A successful bursary scheme to allow police officers and staff to get higher education qualifications is to reopen for applications later this year. Karin Rogers of the College of Policing explains how the bursary works and why it's good for individual officers and policing as a whole.
OPINION: Yesterday's report from the HMIC - The State of Policing in England and Wales - emphasised the lack of proper funding for mental health, and the way policing has been forced to become the service of first resort. Serving officer Nathan Constable - who has warned of this for some time - highlights the key issues around police responses to mental health crises.
ANALYSIS: The latest HMIC report, The State of Policing in England and Wales, was overshadowed by a row about the traumatic experiences suffered by uniformed officers. However, the report is an important one, addressing key issues around demand, resourcing and mental health. Carina O'Reilly, editor of Policing Insight, assesses the report.
ANALYSIS: Despite appearances (and headlines), the police service has been one of the public sector's success stories over the last few years, making significant cuts with less damage to services than other sectors. Emily Andrews of the Institute for Government examines the data through the IfG's new Performance Tracker - but warns there could be trouble ahead.
OPINION: Direct entry is a controversial topic, and has generated a lot of debate. While few would argue that those who have joined through the scheme are dedicated and sincere, policing commentator Graham Wettone argues that nothing can replace direct experience of policing - especially at Inspector level.
