Analysis: Officers have always gathered evidence, but now that technological advances have placed digital evidence from multiple sources at the core of investigations, the challenge for forces is how to gather, store and share massive amounts of data. Is the cloud the solution?

Partner announcement: Following the publication Vigilant's Digital Policing Review Capability Assessment 2017, Stephen Roberts announces new research into issues suggested by the service, findings from which will be published on Policing Insight.

Insight: In 2015, the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) published a report outlining the direction the service was taking in terms of digitising its investigation and intelligence capabilities. Two years on and one force is making encouraging progress. 

Technology: More and more UK forces are under pressure to move away from using insecure social media apps like WhatsApp towards a secure police-wide communications platform. Andy Lilly, Director and Co-Founder of Armour Communications, explores the issue.

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.

Analysis: Police funding is a hot political issue with police leaders warning the cuts have pushed the service to breaking point. Penelope Gibbs, Director of Transform Justice, explores why, when policing budgets are so constrained, forces are so willing to pay thousands of pounds for virtual courts.

Technology: Everything from mobile phones and laptops to cameras and cars broadcast their MAC addresses as soon as they are switched on. Keith Potter examines how Australia's Queensland Police are using the data to investigate serious crime in Australia and whether the UK could adopt a similar approach.

Insight: The world of crime and policing is changing before our eyes – new crimes are emerging and old crimes are being committed in new ways. Richard Williamson, Executive Director, EY, explores how Greater Manchester Police are responding to new trends.

News: The Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire, Mark-Burns-Williamson, has teamed up with police, academics and software developers across Europe to reduce the risks from cyber fraud. Andrew Staniforth, Andrew Staniforth, Head of West Yorkshire for Innovation, takes us through Project Aries.

Analysis: With more and more forces opting to buy unmanned aerial vehicles or drones for air support, Ian Wiggett, a former ACC in Greater Manchester Police, examines their current usage and the implications for the National Police Air Support.

ANALYSIS: Questioned at this week's Police Federation conference about spit guards, the Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott stated she was still "looking at the research, and coming to a considered view". Dr Matt Ashby, a former police officer and now lecturer in criminology at Nottingham Trent University, looks at the evidence currently available.

Analysis: With the ever-present pressures on police resources and the need for chiefs and forces to be doing as much (if not more) with less, the appeal of data analytics and predictive policing is stronger than ever.

Analysis: Dr Alistair Norman, lecturer in information management at Leeds University Business School, discussed the latest technological solutions around public safety communications at the recent B-APCO 2017 conference, including the drivers, barriers and trends for the future.

Interview: The company behind the TASER  X2 hopes its latest device will boost public reassurance and police accountability, but Matt Spencer, MD, Axon Public Safety, says changes to the latest model are just the beginning of a technological revolution in policing. 

Analysis: Former Assistant Chief Constable for Greater Manchester Police Ian Wiggett examines the options facing law enforcement following the terror attack in Westminster last month.

Exclusive: The Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, responds to a recent article in Policing Insight critical of the Emergency Services Network. Brandon Lewis MP explains why the government is working to move from the TETRA radio communications system, known as Airwave, currently in use by the police, ambulance and fire and rescue service, to a national integrated network using 4G Long Term Evolution mobile technology

OPINION: Surveillance cameras have proliferated in recent years, leading the government to establish a commissioner responsible for overseeing their governance. Prof. William Webster examines the Commissioner's new strategy for surveillance - and warns that any regulatory framework needs to be able to keep up with a rapid pace of change.

Opinion: The safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults has scarcely been out of the headlines in recent years. Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners have reiterated their commitment to making safeguarding a priority and improving their response. But well-publicised failings relating to late intervention and subsequent loss of life have sadly been all too common. Imran Razzaq, Director, Public Sector, MarkLogic UK, Ireland & EU, examines the issues.

OPINION: Ethnography has one of the longest traditions in police research. Dr Mike Rowe of Liverpool University explains how ethnographic research can offer an understanding of the work and role of police officers that other types of research cannot reach.

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: Research on body-worn cameras has shown mixed results. Oh the one hand, complaints against police officers dropped spectacularly when the cameras were used; but on the other, rates of assault against officers during arrest were actually higher. Dr Alex Sutherland of RAND Europe examines police discretion as part of the explanation for these different outcomes.

ANALYSIS: As the debate over spit hoods continues, Graham Hooper of Canterbury Christ Church University briefly outlines the competing claims of those in favour and against their use.

OPINION: The use of spit hoods has become steeped in controversy in recent months. For officers, they are vital protection against contagious diseases such as HIV and Hep C, but for others they are primitive and are being introduced without proper consultation. Policing Insight takes a look at both sides of the debate with Ian Pointon, chairman of Kent Police Federation and leading human rights lawyer Chris Topping presenting opposing views.

OPINION: With the announcement today of Cressida Dick as the new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Rory Geoghegan of the Centre for Public Safety offers an account of the four major challenges facing the new Commissioner and the Met in the years ahead.