Policy

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: The sixth national Mental Health and Policing conference, supported by Policing Insight, takes place 4-5 May 2023 at the Leonardo Hotel and Conference Venue, Hinckley Island. Register your place today!

FEATURE: In his latest annual report the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner (BSCC) – who regulates the way police use biometrics in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – challenges how policing is deploying facial recognition; a separate survey by the Office of the BSCC also raises major concerns that policing is “shot through” with Chinese surveillance tech, as Policing Insight’s James Sweetland reports.

FEATURE: As stakeholders from across the criminal justice system gathered last month for a Met Police innovation hub to rebrand out-of-court disposals (OOCDs) ahead of the launch of new two-tier framework, it was confirmed that any new name for the measures would be likely to go out to public consultation to ensure that communities are given a voice, as Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons reports.

FEATURE: Against the backdrop of the public outcry over police criminality and misconduct, Psychologist Dr Heather Taylor argues that the key to reducing the risk of problematic workforce behaviours lies as much in the hands of thoughtful leadership and effective HR management as it does in a powerful culture of vetting checks and professional standards enforcement.

OPINION: As a veteran of the lengthy stakeouts of heroin dealers, cultivation of informants, and the stitches, lost teeth and broken bones that come with the war on drugs, former Police Scotland superintendent Martin Gallagher believes it’s time for international agreement that the failed war should be over – and for co-operation and collaboration in putting together a more effective plan for peace.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: In two weeks, the Dubai Police will host the second edition of the World Police Summit, the world’s most influential gathering of law enforcement officials, security experts, and decision makers. The Summit will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 7-9 March 2023, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

INTERVIEW: Martin Hewitt, Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, steps down in April after a four-year term leading the organisation through one of the most difficult times in UK policing: in this second of a two-part interview with strategy and business transformation leader Raj Singh, he spoke about a range of issues including the arrival of a new government under Prime Minister Boris Johnson, responding to Covid, and the challenges to be faced by the NPCC and its Chair Designate, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, over next four years.

INTERVIEW: Martin Hewitt, Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, steps down in April after completing his four-year term leading the organisation through one of the most difficult times in UK policing: in this first of a two-part interview, he spoke to strategy and business transformation leader Raj Singh about what drives him, the challenges of leadership, the role of the NPCC, and what the future holds for the organisation.

FEATURE: To better support policing’s evolution to the changing state of the climate and deal with emergency management, the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency (ANZPAA) recently spoke to Dr Jarrett Blaustein, Associate Professor at the Australian National University, as ANZPAA Policy and Research Officer Rhiannon Van Vliet explains.

FEATURE: Out-of-court disposals (OOCDs) and diversionary interventions can keep people out of the criminal justice system, and reduce pressures on police, courts and prisons, but the approach is inconsistent and can lack funding; ahead of the introduction of a new two-tier OOCD framework, Meg Jones, Director of social justice charity Cranstoun, looks at what the changes will mean, what works well, and the challenges facing the approach.

LONG READ: The Home Secretary’s recent call for a review of entry methods into UK policing is the latest twist in the policing degree debate; Nottingham Trent University lecturers Georg Tangen and Phil Rudkin, both former police officers, argue that the consensus of evidence to date shows policing does benefit from a degree level of education, and that the ‘loudest dissenters’ of the degree programme may be representative of the most criticised policing cultures and attitudes.

OPINION: Five US police officers charged with the murder of Tyre Nichols were part of an elite Memphis PD crime suppression unit; University of South Carolina Professors Ian T. Adams and Seth Stoughton believe that such specialist units set up to aggressively target crime fighting have a problematic history, often becoming another source of violence in already victimized communities.

LONG READ: Despite four decades of recognition of the challenges a policing career poses to officers’ mental health and wellbeing, police organisations still seem to struggle to deliver an effective response for their workforce; new research by Policing Insight’s Dr Alan Beckley and colleagues at the University of Technology Sydney highlights the nature and scale of those challenges, and will explore what interventions work best.

FEATURE: The latest report into use of force by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has recommended reconsidering the issuing of firearms to all officers, and restricting the use of Tasers; but the Police Federation has warned that such moves would lead to more officers being attacked and injured, particularly with the continuing terrorist threat, as Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons reports.

FEATURE: The successful trial of a new Tactical Response Model by New Zealand Police – launched following the tragic murder of Constable Matthew Hunt – provides enhanced training for officers and better frontline access to specialist capability, while ensuring that officers remain approachable and connected to their communities, as Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons reports.

FEATURE: With the increasing range, reach and frequency of international crises and disasters, countries around the world are looking to ensure the right measures are in place to strengthen their resilience; Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth looks at the key themes and principles of the latest UK Resilience Framework, and the emphasis on local responses to national threats and events.

FEATURE: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley last week unveiled the outlines of a turnaround plan for the force based on “precise community crime fighting”, a new performance framework and new professional values; but just days after the ambitious plan was announced, the force was facing fresh controversy with the conviction of serial rapist PC David Carrick highlighting concerns over vetting, conduct and complaints, as Policing Insight’s Keith Potter reports.

ANALYSIS: Public trust in policing is essential in maintaining police legitimacy and effectiveness, and people’s perceptions of police are a valuable indicator of levels of community trust and confidence; Dr Rasha Kassem and Dr Ian Kennedy of the Open University explore some of the factors influencing negative and positive perceptions of policing, many of which were highlighted during a recent University of Oxford public engagement event.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: In February 2023, Victoria Police will be hosting the 2023 World LGBTIQ+ Conference for Criminal Justice Professionals in Melbourne, Australia. Better Together is the theme for the Melbourne conference supported by Policing Insight as media partner.

OPINION: Changes introduced under Ontario’s Community Safety and Policing Act will see the province’s Office of the Independent Police Review Director investigating complaints only against high-ranking officers and those “in the public interest”, with others referred back to the relevant forces; York University PhD Candidate Monika Lemke believes the increased lack of transparency and shrinking role of independent oversight will erode public trust in the system.

FEATURE: Another new report into stop and search has called for major reform and the launch of a taskforce on the topic; Policing Insight’s Graham Wettone looks at the findings of the report, the context and application of existing powers, and how – in the absence of any viable alternative – police and communities could help to ensure that stop and search is used effectively to detect and prevent crime and increase community safety.

END OF YEAR REVIEW: As 2022 draws to a close, Policing Insight Editor Keith Potter looks back over some of the key law enforcement themes covered over the past 12 months, the challenges met and opportunities offered, and our continuing commitment to provide a platform for sharing expertise, understanding and best practice throughout 2023.

INTERVIEW: Metropolitan Police Commander Dr Alison Heydari, the UK’s national lead on out-of-court disposals, is looking to rebrand the sanctions to reduce reoffending, address offender needs and improve public trust, confidence and legitimacy, as she explained to Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons in this second part of her recent interview.

OPINION: With growing poverty and social exclusion – driven by the UK’s cost-of-living crisis – set to increase low-level crime, anxiety and poor mental health, Revolving Doors Chief Executive Pavan Dhaliwal says that new polling highlights public concern about the potential for a crisis of crime, and believes innovative policing approaches could be the key to criminal justice reform that would protect resources while supporting those who offend onto better lives and desistance.