Topical issues

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.

ANALYSIS: The policing landscape is undergoing tremendous change. Supt Dave Hill, Programme Director for the East Midlands Police Academic Collaboration (EMPAC) examines the 'VUCA' model - volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous - to help find a path for policing in the 21st century.

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. 

OPINION: Degree level entry to the police is a hugely controversial issue for many serving officers, who feel that the proposals undermine them - but is this fair? Serving officer Dan Reynolds examines the Police Educational Qualifications Framework and what it offers for those already in the force.

OPINION: Direct Entry has been met with some hostility from police officers - but what is the problem it's meant to solve? Serving officer Gareth Stubbs looks at the insularity of the police service and what Direct Entry might offer to forces.

OPINION: At a time when police are facing significant organisational change, it's increasingly important that rank and file officers are engaged with this process. Emma Williams of Canterbury Christ Church University makes the case for listening more closely to officers - and backs @West_Response's call for the introduction of a front line impact assessment.

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: The death of Ian Tomlinson in 2009 during the G20 protests led to a fundamental re-examination of public order policing in the UK. But why has that learning not been embedded in the policing of football crowds? Chief Superintendent Owen West of West Yorkshire Police reports from an expert seminar at Keele University, and asks what are the police waiting for?

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.

Analysis: With BME recruitment, progression and retention rates still low, former ACC Karen Vanterpool Daber, once one of the UK's most senior female Black officers, asks why the service is still having the same debate about BME officers and how it needs to change.

Analysis: Crime is becoming increasingly corporate and global in nature with highly-organised crime syndicates able to exploit the latest technology. Rob Wainwright, director of Europol, outlines the latest challenges and trends. 

OPINION: What do we think of when we think of police leadership? Serving officer Gareth Stubbs warns that traditional perceptions of how leaders look and behave may no longer be fit for purpose given the challenges facing policing.

OPINION: Many serving officers may feel that the College of Policing is a distant organisation, doing things to them, rather than for them. Serving officer Dan Reynolds makes a critical appraisal of the work of the College and how its work can be beneficial for officers on the ground.

Opinion: Former chief constable of the British Transport Police Andy Trotter OBE QPM, reflects on the terror attack that took place in London last week and the challenges it presents the service. 

OPINION: Following the attack on Westminster, the focus has rightly been on the bravery and sacrifice of the uniformed public services. But behind the scenes, the work of communications staff prevented the public's horror from turning into panic. Dan Slee of comms2point0 analyses the public sector comms response.

ANALYSIS: The fifth of a monthly series in which CoPaCC's Sandra Andrews takes a look at some of the most interesting and topical issues that Police and Crime Panels across England and Wales are dealing with. This month, Sandra looks at Leicestershire and North Wales, both of which were examining key issues in their Police and Crime Plans.

NEWS: The Metropolitan Police is likely to face as much as £400 million in fresh budget cuts this year. Martin Hoscik of Mayorwatch talks to Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey about the scale of the cuts and the "essential" changes right across the force.

Analysis: Following the introduction of the Policing and Crime Act 2017, Police and Crime Commissioners will assume responsibility for delivering a local police complaints system. Policing Insight takes a look at the different approaches PCCs are planning to adopt. 

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.

Analysis: England and Wales' Policing Vision 2025 and Scotland's Policing 2026 outline where the police service sees itself, both north and south of the border, in ten years time. Former Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett assesses both strategies and considers whether ambition can be turned into reality.

OPINION: If academia is serious about working with the police, does it need to make its research outputs more useful to those who might use them? Emma Williams of Canterbury Christ Church University makes the case for integrating practitioners into the process of research at every level.

ANALYSIS: Following the recent critical reports on police effectiveness from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), Warwick Business School Professor Kevin Morrell analyses how the pressures of austerity have affected both what the police can do and what HMIC can measure.