Topical issues

UCL COVID-19 SERIES: The COVID-19 pandemic has been exploited by some criminals selling fake medical and health products. Dr. Manja Nikolovska and Professor Shane Johnson, Director at the Dawes Centre for future crime at UCL, examine how criminals have preyed on people's fear and vulnerability and how this type of crime can be prevented.

Opinion: Professor of Law at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia Thalia Anthony says Australia is appalled by racist police violence in the United States, but does not confront discrimination within its own criminal justice system against First Nations people.

INNOVATION: Just before the lockdown, Devon and Cornwall Police held the UK's first national conference on neuro-diversity in policing which examined the challenges faced by neuro-diverse officers and staff, but also the contribution they can make to policing.

Opinion: The lockdown has led forces to re-evaluate how they use technology to support their operations with some innovative results. Director at technology consultancy Tisski Ben Austen explores how having an integrated technology platform at the heart of policing will enable forces to continue to innovate.

Insight: The UK introduced new quarantine laws for those entering the UK earlier this month. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth explores the nature of these new restrictions and the ability of Border Force and the police to enforce them.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: Is this available online? Is the learning delivered to the same standard? What platform do they use? Premier Partnership have tackled digital learning head on and as a result have been instrumental in supporting police forces in continuing their core training.

EXCLUSIVE: After joining the Metropolitan Police Service as a cadet in 1975, Michael Fuller QPM became Britain's first black Chief Constable in 2004. In an exclusive interview with Policing Insight's Sarah Gibbons, Mr Fuller reflects on his own experience in the police service and why it is important to listen to the Black Lives Matter protests.

Analysis: The UK is going through an unprecedented time. Barely out of austerity, it has had to contend with a pandemic alongside the impact of events happening elsewhere in the world. Professor Peter Joyce and Dr Wendy Laverick look back over the last few months and examine some of the triggers that could lead to widespread disorder.

OPINION: The policing of the Black Lives Matters protests may not have triggered a review of policing in the UK, but, says Vice President of the Police Superintendents' Association Chief Superintendent Ian Wylie, policing must still seize the opportunity to change.

Analysis: As the world comes to terms with the impact of Covid-19, Professor Karl Roberts, Professor Alex Broadbent and Professor Benjamin Smart examine how some African countries have policed the lockdown.

Analysis: Accenture Public Safety Managing Director James Slessor explores how public safety agencies responded to the pressures created by the pandemic and how agencies need to search out and embrace sustainable ways of working in what is now a 'never normal' environment.

INTERVIEW: Kenya has a long history of policing with excessive force, often resulting in unnecessary deaths. Recently, at least six people died from police violence during the first 10 days of a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Moina Spooner, from The Conversation Africa, asked Douglas Kivoi, an expert on police reform and policy, to shed light on the situation.

INTERVIEW: June is PTSD awareness month. Talking exclusively to Policing Insight, former South Yorkshire Police officer and founder of the Daparian Foundation Richard Gettings shares his personal experience of PTSD and how he has now set up the Foundation to raise awareness and provide support to police officers.  

Analysis: In the wake of the death of George Floyd in the U.S, tensions over racial discrimination have spread across the world, including Australia. Emma Thomas, Associate Professor at Flinders University, examines the policing of protests and why some turn violent.

Opinion: Technology has played a huge role in policing the lockdown, especially in enabling officers and staff to successfully work remotely. Simon Hall, CEO of Coeus Software, explores what this means now Covid-19 restrictions are being slowly eased.

Analysis: Professor Karl Roberts examines the statistics on police suicide in Australia and considers how both workplace culture and stress can prove harmful to police officers' mental health.

Insight: Rogue drone incursions are a serious threat to football stadiums. With football currently either suspended or played behind close doors, Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth says now is the time to consider a counter-drone strategy and explore the available anti-drone technology.

Analysis: Already a serious problem for society, domestic abuse in all its forms has been exacerbated by the lockdown. Policing commentator Mark Brown says now is the time to implement a nationwide strategy similar CONTEST, the Government's counter-terror strategy, to tackle this 'epidemic within the pandemic'.

OPINION: In the light of George Floyd's death at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis USA, UK West Midlands Police Chief Constable, Dave Thompson QPM, compares UK and US policing, and explains why he is "convinced we have not moved far enough" on policing diverse societies.

Interview: The COVID-19 crisis has impacted upon police forces across the world. Vice Dean of the Police College of the Republic of Croatia Assistant Professor Ruža Karlović tells Policing Insight how the active engagement in community policing research and innovation with European police partners has supported the organisation and delivery of COVID-19 emergency measures to local communities.

ANALYSIS: The tragic death of George Floyd while in the custody of officers from the Minneapolis police department in US highlights the differences between US and UK policing but a common issue is the under representation of black and minority ethnic (BAME) in their ranks. Dr Daniel Silverstone and Dominique Walker from Liverpool John Moores University discuss the progress of improving diversity in UK policing.

OPINION: The death of George Floyd in the United States, following restraint by police officers, has cast a global spotlight on police use of force. Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson sets out how he and his OPCC team oversee and scrutinise the work of West Midlands Police, thus seeking to retain confidence in policing amongst all local communities.

Job advertisement: Police Lecturer vacancies at Babcock International for their new flagship contract partnering with several Higher Education Institutes across London to deliver the new Metropolitan Police Service Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF) framework.

Analysis: The Covid-19 outbreak has brought collaboration between agencies sharply into focus. Ian Blackhurst, Executive Director Safety at Northgate Public Services, sets out how the police and partners can connect better to ensure safer communities and lessen the chance of victims falling through the net.