Topical issues

ANALYSIS: The vast majority of UK forces now have drone capability, but whilst the emphasis has been on their potential to assist policing, little attention has been paid to whether their presence compromises people's privacy and undermines basic Peelian Principles of policing by consent. Inspector Darren Green says it's time to have the conversation. 

OPINION: Last week, @WeCops hosted a Twitter chat on how austerity had affected policing. Serving officer Gareth Stubbs discusses the responses and what it tells us about the state of policing, and the need for police organisations to take trauma and wellbeing seriously.

OPINION: Arrests of football fans have fallen by 14% according to recent figures - but the numbers don't tell the whole story. Anecdotal evidence suggests that fans still face confrontational policing and aggressive stewarding at matches. Chief Supt. Owen West calls for clubs, fans and police forces to come together to change the match day dynamic.

ANALYSIS: Report Watch summarises the main findings of reports that impact on policing and includes responses from the main stakeholders and media reaction. Here we take a look at HMICFRS' report on police air support which raises serious concerns regarding the ability of National Police Air Support to deliver a consistent service to forces.

ANALYSIS: Report Watch summarises the main findings of reports that impact on policing and includes responses from the main stakeholders as well as media reaction. Here we take a look at the National Crime Agency's County Lines Violence, Exploitation & Drug Supply 2017, their third threat assessment.

Analysis: Despite austerity measures putting both police and courts under financial pressure, recent years have seen a large decline in out of court disposals. Rob Allen, author of a new report published today by Transform Justice, says it is time to reverse the trend.

Analysis: Creativity and innovation may not be two words that automatically come to mind when thinking about policing. Yet, this year’s annual College of Policing conference - Everyday Innovation - revealed that there is no shortage of either within the police service.

Analysis: CoPaCC’s Police ICT User Survey results revealed superintendents in Scotland expressed some of the highest levels of dissatisfaction with aspects of their ICT provision.  Chief Superintendent Ivor Marshall, President of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS), takes a closer look at what the results mean.

Analysis: The results from UK policing's first independent ICT User Survey - published today - are already having a positive impact thanks to the quality of the data, but it is just the beginning of the journey, according to the police associations that have lent their support to the survey.

NEW REPORT: The latest CoPaCC thematic report 'Police ICT: User perspectives' is published today. Following a survey of police officers from 44 police forces, the report provides a unique insight into the views of the frontline on the provision of ICT in their force. The results and feedback from end users are required reading for police managers, buyers and suppliers.

ANALYSIS: In the fourth of a series of special articles examining the progress of Police and Crime Commissioners as they assume joint governance over police and fire services in their areas, Catherine Levin reports on an increasingly exclusive club of forces intending to take on fire governance.

Interview: This weekend (9-10 December), in the wake of the College of Policing’s Everyday Innovation conference and in the run up to CoPaCC’s thematic report into police ICT, Hack the Police 2 will bring developers and frontline officers together to take innovative ideas and put them into action in a sequel to the UK’s first and original policing hackathon. We interview one of the organisers, Edwin Burns of the Forensic Psychology Unit at Goldsmiths (University of London), ahead of the event.

OPINION: The 24th annual Lord Ferrers Awards, which recognise the contributions of Police Support Volunteers, Special Constables and Volunteer Police Cadets, took place in London on Tuesday 28th November. Dr Iain Britton, a member of the panel of judges for the awards this year, reflects on the inspirational individuals and teams who were awarded for their voluntary contributions.

ANALYSIS: Report Watch summarises the main findings of reports that impact on policing and includes responses from the main stakeholders as well as media reaction. Here we take a look at the Office of National Statistics report on Domestic Abuse in England and Wales, which draws on a range of data and examines the prevalence of domestic abuse as well as the CJS response. For the first time, the report includes information on victim services.

OPINION: There is an increasing and understandable buzz around blockchain and its potential to solve data sharing issues in the criminal justice system. However, caution is required. Lars Davies, CEO of Kalypton explains.

INSIGHT: Many forces want the benefits of BWV, yet procurement is not a simple process. Each department has specific needs that must be met in terms of quality, cost, storage and future-proofing – one size does not fit all. In this article from the CoPaCC thematic report 'Body-worn Video in Policing', Graham Jarvis looks at the technology considerations.

LONG READ: The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) was originally envisioned as an apolitical arms-length body providing oversight and accountability of the single police service. Dr Ali Malik explores the SPA's short history, and sets out recommendations aimed at strengthening the body’s legitimacy and increasing public confidence.

ANALYSIS: Report Watch summarises the main findings of reports that impact on policing and includes responses from the main stakeholders as well as media reaction. Here we take a look at the Scottish Police Federation's Personal Protective Equipment Survey 2017.

Analysis: Criminal justice reform was the subject of a session at this year’s APCC and NPCC Partnership Summit.  There was a consensus that the criminal justice system is dysfunctional and is failing both victims and perpetrators, so is the answer to take more risks?

ANALYSIS: There is copious research about the phenomenon of domestic abuse, but little that is written from a leadership perspective. Dr Linda Reid examines the leadership of domestic abuse in the context of the police and their partners in a large city in the UK. 

ANALYSIS: Report Watch summarises the main findings of reports that impact on policing and includes responses from the main stakeholders as well as media reaction. Here we take a look at Big Brother Watch's report on Police Access to Digital Evidence which examines the effectiveness of current legislation on investigating digital data and levels of police training.

Insight: It is often difficult to find an Appropriate Adult, as required under PACE. Sunderland University, in partnership with Northumbria Police and Vera Baird, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, have developed an innovative solution. Dr Donna Peacock and Dr Faye Cosgrove explain how the scheme works. 

With so much on our plates, it is very tempting to dive straight into action, rather than taking a few minutes to scan the horizon. Jonathan Rees, who works with bluelight services, offers some guidance on the benefits of seeing the bigger picture.

Analysis: The new Strategic Principles for Police ICT make good common sense, and are hard to argue against.  We can all agree on the importance of interoperability, good management of data, user-friendliness, and the ability to switch across different platforms.  Efficiency, effectiveness; a rounded view of value for money; future proofing: what’s not to like? Yet the principles also present challenges, and following them will not be straightforward, explains former Greater Manchester Police ACC Ian Wiggett.