Topical issues

INSIGHT: Det Ch Supt Chris Todd is the West Midlands Police Head of Professional Standards and the NPCC Lead for Data Analytics. In this exclusive article for Policing Insight, he responds to recent press coverage suggesting that the West Midlands Police Ethics Committee had "raised the alarm" over the force's potential use of a 'predictive policing' tool.

ANALYSIS: As universities and police forces move forward with the planned delivery of degree apprenticeships for new recruits, one area of focus is increasingly how those students are to be assessed. Rich Honess of Canterbury Christ Church University explains why universities love essays so much and what alternatives are possible.

NEWS: Following the launch of the World Class Policing Awards 2019 earlier this month, we are delighted to announce Police Oracle will stand alongside Policing Insight as the official media partner for the World Class Policing Awards 2019, celebrating the best of policing.

ANALYSIS: At the time of the 2011 London riots, many commentators and politicians blamed the rioters rather than looking for underlying causes. However, a three-year research project suggests this was mistaken. Stephen Reicher, of the University of St Andrews; Clifford Stott, of Keele University, and John Drury, of the University of Sussex, explain their findings.

Opinion: Whilst programmes treating post-traumatic stress are available to police officers, the Quarantine Method tackles issues before they impact an officers’ mental health. Al McGregor of Inner Armour, which developed the method, argues passionately that it’s time for a rethink - all officers must be trained in positive psychology.

Analysis: Ten years ago, London was the scene of the G20 Summit protests. This week climate change activists caused major disruption in the city. Protests are part and parcel of a liberal democracy, but how do we ensure they are ethically policed? Professor Peter Joyce and Dr Wendy Laverick examine the lessons of history and the implications for policing future protests.

Opinion: The role of Police and Crime Commissioner may still be in its relative infancy, but PCCs are already driving change, in particular, the current drugs policy which former drug policy lead for West Midlands OPCC and now Head of Policy for the National Youth Advocacy Service Ben Twomey argues is well overdue for reform.

Innovation: Lewis Westbury, a software developer for 15 years, a special constable for almost 10 and now founder and volunteer coordinator of Police Rewired, highlights several interesting pieces of research sourced in Crime Survey of England and Wales data, and the implications for developing practical tools in the fight against crime.

OPINION: While the private sector increasingly sifts job candidates on the basis of personal attributes and transferable skills, policing is moving to a degree-based system. Former officer and now CEO of Mightify Tom Wheelhouse argues that this will reduce diversity and focus on a younger demographic while the private sector widens the net.

Insight: Development of the concept of emotional intelligence began in the 1980s and its four attributes of self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, and social skills are all essential factors for a successful police officer. Former UK police officer and now Research Fellow at Western Sydney University Alan Beckley looks at how consideration of emotional intelligence is influencing the recruitment and development of police personnel.

Opinion: Mobile data, interoperability, drones, evolving communications: just four of the key technology challenges facing policing right now. Ian Thompson, the CEO of the British Association of Public Communications Officers (BAPCO), looks at why it is so difficult to procure and implement solutions that deliver the benefits required.

NEWS: As official media partner of the World Class Policing Awards 2019, Policing Insight is delighted to announce the nominations for this year's awards are now OPEN!

LONG READ: How does community policing translate to a former war zone like South Sudan? Jackie Gold, Chief Inspector with Avon and Somerset Police, explains the importance of gaining a clear understanding of the mandate, finding opportunities for ‘quick wins’, influencing others, cultural awareness and taking risks.

INSIGHT: The Police Foundation's recent report, Data-driven Policing and Public Value, highlights the fundamental importance of data to service delivery. Catherine Levin explores the findings of the report, including the benefits of identifying common areas of interest around data between police and fire.

Opinion: An increasing number of policing functions could easily be automated, but forces are too focused on police numbers. Former Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Paul Kennedy argues that budgets spent on recruiting more police officers should be redirected into embracing these new and emerging technologies.

INTERVIEW: The terror attack in New Zealand has exposed fault lines in the prevention of extreme right-wing related terrorism. Ahead of the forthcoming review of the UK’s Prevent strategy, researcher Neda Richards talks to Policing Insight about the findings of her unique research analysing preventative counter-terrorism policing and the impact of community engagement on public cooperation.

OPINION: How can police forces integrate EBP into their daily working practices? Insp. Roger Pegram, GMP EBP Tactical Lead and Vice Chair of the Society of Evidence-Based Policing (SEBP), discusses the aims, ambition and approach to delivering change at the frontline.

ANALYSIS: By 2020, 31 billion devices will be connected to the internet worldwide bringing with it a whole host of policing challenges, but increasingly police forces are rising to those challenges. The Police Foundation’s latest report showcases some of the innovative data-driven projects that happening both here in the UK and abroad.

OPINION: Policing is under pressure, meaning that officers push themselves to the limit. But is this wise? Serving officer Colin Paine argues that police cannot afford to see taking breaks as a luxury, but instead need to see them as a central part of serving the public.

ANALYSIS: Twenty years after the Macpherson report was published, Dr Lisa Long, a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Leeds Beckett University, shares her recent research into the current state of relations between the police and BAME individuals and communities.

OPINION: John Gili-Ross is Chairman of the National Association of Police Fire and Crime Panels. He explores the evolution of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and the increasingly important role Police, Fire and Crime Panels play in holding PCCs to account.

Opinion: There has been a 40 per cent decline in intelligence analysts since 2010. Former GMP Assistant Chief Constable and now CoPaCC Director Ian Wiggett attended the National Intelligence Conference in Cardiff where he found local intelligence provision is coming under increasing pressure.

INNOVATION: Automatic Number Plate Recognition is already used to detect various crimes, but Birmingham University researchers have found that combining ANPR data with data on serial sex offences can generate vital new leads for investigators. Forensic Psychologist Professor Jessica Woodhams shares the findings of this award-winning* research.

OPINION: The emergence of County Lines demonstrates that criminals can operate beyond their usual geographical limits. However, police ICT struggles to do the same. Richard Helson, Customer Relationship Director at Chorus Intelligence calls for police to improve their agility by integrating better on a force-to-force basis.