Topical issues

OPINION: Former Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police and now an independent advisor on police and technology Paul Kennedy unpacks the challenges of digital evidence and asks if solution lies in greater automation through robotics.

OPINION: The prospect of a no-deal Brexit is still looming, with the risk of the police being seriously overstretched dealing with its consequences. James Treadwell of Staffordshire University and John Lamb of Birmingham City University explore how the armed forces could step in to take up some of the burden - and the risks of such a move.

Interview: Police Now's training credentials are well established, having trained hundreds of young graduates in neighbourhood policing roles since 2015. Now the Home Office is looking to the organisation to help solve the shortage of detectives, estimated to be around 5,000. Is Police Now up to the task?

Analysis: The Prevent Strategy was updated and republished last year, as part of the counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST), but Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth explains that its failure to identify individuals vulnerable to radicalisation is why an independent review of Prevent is contained in the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019.

Interview: CoPaCC's Police ICT User Survey revealed the depth of discontent among frontline officers and staff with their ICT provision, but what also emerged was a lack of consultation with some users before they are given a new piece of 'kit'. Police Federation lead on technology Simon Kempton argues the frontline should have a greater say in IT procurement decisions for the benefit of the public, police and suppliers.

ANALYSIS: Does the hierarchical nature of the police service impact negatively on officers' health and wellbeing? Rick Muir, Director of the Police Foundation, explores the findings of their latest report, Police Workforce Wellbeing and Organisational Development, which argues for a more inclusive management culture.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) are pleased to announce we will be holding a conference on PCC Fire Governance on 28th March at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire.

Analysis: It is twenty years since Sir William Macpherson's report into the MPS' investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence described the force as institutionally racist. Visiting Professor in Criminology Peter Joyce and Senior Lecturer in Criminology Dr Wendy Laverick examine how the report has defined UK policing.

Analysis: The Data Protection Act 2018 is a game-changer in how data is handled, but has law enforcement risen to the challenge? In the first of a new series, Owen Sayers, an enterprise architect, privacy and security specialist with thirty years experience in the CJS, outlines the issues surrounding the Act and whether law enforcement is fully prepared for them.

INNOVATION: When knife crime occurs, video evidence can often hold vital clues but identifying them in amongst volumes of footage is a time-consuming job. Policing Insight contributor and Senior Research Fellow at CENTRIC Andrew Staniforth reports on a project aimed at speeding up the process.

LONG READ: The deaths of six young people from drug overdoses at music festivals in Australia in the last five months has shone a light on the risk of taking drugs at these events. Former UK police officer and now Research Fellow at Western Sydney University Alan Beckley examines the issues and considers whether pill-testing offers the solution.

ANALYSIS: The Police Federation's 2018 survey of officer welfare again shows shocking levels of officer stress and exposure to trauma. Mary Elliot-Davies of the Federation explains the findings of the survey, and what's urgently needed to protect officers and allow them to rebuild their resilience.

OPINION: Police tactics may disrupt drug supplies, but they cause more crime and even contribute to the use of children as a go-between in county lines, undermining Peel's principles, says former Detective Sergeant and Chair of LEAP UK Neil Woods who argues it's time for drugs laws to be reformed.

OPINION: Automated facial recognition technology is now being trialled by British police forces. However, there are serious potential human rights issues associated with the use of such surveillance. Joe Purshouse of the University of East Anglia and Liz Campbell of Monash University explore the issues, and call for stronger legislation to govern the technology.

OPINION: Policing is in crisis - but what can be done to fix it? Former Chief Superintendent John Sutherland lays out a ten-point plan for what needs to happen next to rescue policing in the UK.

Interview: The Centre for Justice Innovation has published what it says is the most complete survey of point-of-arrest diversion schemes in England and Wales which are intended to tackle low level criminal behaviour. Research Officer Carmen Robin-D'Cruz brings us up to speed on the current provision in England and Wales.

Opinion: In 2015, after experiencing anxiety and depression, Police Sergeant Mark Montgomery tried to take his own life. In a brave and moving account, Mark explains what he went through and how he used his experience to develop a suicide prevention programme for the City of London Police.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: Digital Evidence Management systems are now critical for today’s investigations but how can the police be sure they are investing in the right technology? Jamie Wilson discusses the need for forces to share best practice - as well as digital information - and announces the Transformational Global Policing Summit as the perfect forum to discuss and share that knowledge

OPINION: The latest @wecops chat discussed a new report by Zoe Billingham of HMICFRS which looked at how effectively police respond to and support people with mental health problems. Sgt Caroline Hay summarises the discussion and the learning from it.

Analysis: Former GMP Assistant Chief Constable and now CoPaCC Director Ian Wiggett considers the thorny subject of improving productivity in policing and suggests that part of the answer may be ‘hidden in plain sight’

OPINION: Policing is a can-do service, but what happens when illness or disability mean that you can't? Colin Paine is a Detective Chief Superintendent in Thames Valley Police. Here he reflects on his diagnosis of ME/CFS.

Opinion: Whatever the demands of the police service, there is a need for support for the business to run efficiently and economically for the benefit of its citizens.  Benjamyn Damazer, formerly vice-chair of a police authority and now working with Sopra Steria, examines the role for a shared service centre of excellence and asks can the police really continue to do it all themselves?

INSIGHT: Around 1 in every 200 children go missing each year, according to the Missing People charity. Many of those children are in care or on the edge of care. Syreeta Lund reports on No Wrong Door, an initiative in North Yorkshire that combines resources and skills to provide better outcomes for vulnerable young people.

ANALYSIS: In the mid-2000s, Glasgow was known as the murder capital of Europe. Now London Mayor Sadiq Khan is trying some of Scotland's solutions - but will they travel? Prof. Susan McVie, Ellie Bates, and Rebecca Pillinger of the University of Edinburgh examine long-term changes in violence and ask whether there really is evidence of Scottish exceptionalism.