Training/learning/development

LONG READ: Having previously considered some of the wider issues around policing’s approach to the exponential growth in volume and complexity of data sources for investigations and intelligence gathering, in this latest in a series of features on the police data challenge, Policing Insight’s Keith Potter looks at the concerns around staffing – from skills gaps and accreditation to leadership literacy and implementation.

INTERVIEW: In the latest in a series of interviews with leading figures involved in the research and investigation of organised crime, Policing Insight’s Dr Chris Allen spoke to Dr Jordan Nunan, former police officer, Senior Lecturer in Criminal at the University of Northampton, and National Co-ordinator for the National Police Chief’s Council’s Intelligence Practice Research Consortium, about the value of police-academic partnerships, the Achilles heel tactic, and the crucial role of human intelligence sources in tackling organised crime.

INTERVIEW: A cold case review team led by Leeds Trinity University’s Dr Kirsty Bennett is calling on forces to be more open to sharing information and working in collaboration to meet the increasing demand from grieving families looking for justice for their lost loved ones, as she explained to Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons.

ANALYSIS: The consequences of labelling – both for citizens and for police – can be significant, particularly in relation to officers’ own perception of their role as guardians or a ‘warrior mindset’; Matthew Wood, a police constable with Toronto Police Service and part-time professor at the Seneca College School of Public Safety, explores these issues in relation to the ‘grey zone’ of law enforcement, the importance of police discretion, and what steps can be taken to improve policing outcomes.

INTERVIEW: Despite widely acknowledged challenges facing policing in the UK, and the ongoing debate around entry routes into the profession, a career keeping communities safe from crime, disorder and terrorism remains an attractive proposition for many young people; Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth spoke to final-year Professional Policing undergraduate Megan Collins-Dale about her choice of degree qualification, and how a recent internship in the US has helped her prepare for a future in policing and criminal justice in the UK.

OPINION: South Africa is facing continued growth in violent crime, and reconfigured policing strategies designed to tackle the problem seem to have had little success; Stellenbosch University’s Dr Guy Lamb argues that a more collaborative approach from police working with local communities, and the proper funding and implementation of the country’s Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy, would be the most effective way forward.

FEATURE: The importance of forensics in police investigations cannot be overstated, and their increasingly crucial role has been one of the driving forces behind the recent launch of the Forensic Science Regulator’s Code of Practice; the role of forensics, and the understanding and implications of the new Code, were the key topics for discussion in a recent @WeCops online chat, hosted by Thames Valley Police Head of Forensics Kay Hannam, and Head of Forensic Accreditation, Caroline Rust.

FEATURE: A new report by a cross-party committee of UK MPs has described the need for policing to “repair its culture” in the face of increasingly complex demands and failures that have damaged confidence in the service as a “turning point for the police”, amid warnings that “marginal changes” will not be enough to improve services and rebuild public trust, as Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons reports.

FEATURE: In the latest in a new series of The Police Student focusing on Criminology in Policing, Policing Insight Academic Editor Dr Carina O’Reilly looks at labelling theory – who decides what a deviant act is, how individuals are defined as deviants or criminals, and what the consequences of that can be for the individuals themselves, as well as for the police.

INTERVIEW: In 2020, as Leicestershire Police prepared to greatly increase its officer numbers as part of the Uplift recruitment programme, leaders within the force set about trying to change attitudes, consideration of and delivery of training through the creation of the Team Leicestershire Academy; Policing Insight’s Ian Weinfass spoke to its head Sarah Taylor, and Chief Constable Rob Nixon, about the force’s new methods.

OPINION: Approaches and initiatives that improve police engagement with communities are acknowledged by many in policing as delivering real and long-term benefits, but when it comes to resourcing, are often regarded as ‘nice to haves’ rather than necessary; however, University of Portsmouth Policing Lecturer David Knowles – a specialist in engagement during his 30-year policing career – argues that such engagement is essential in building trust and confidence as well as tackling all levels of crime.

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INTERVIEW: As with many other police forces, Queensland Police Service (QPS) is looking to improve the representation of female officers across the workforce; new research from QPS Detective Chief Inspector Mike Newman suggests that instilling more confidence in female officers, and addressing inherent biases in selection processes, will be crucial in ensuring female officers progress through the ranks at the same rate as their male counterparts, as he explained to Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons.

FEATURE: The most recent member survey carried out by the New Zealand Police Association has highlighted a drop in morale, with officers voicing concerns over increased levels of crime and violence, the need for more mentoring and support, and a shortage of frontline resources despite the recruitment boost of 1,800 additional officers, as Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons reports.

FEATURE: Terrorism researchers, policy makers and industry stakeholders will gather in Brussels later this month for the 2023 Security Research Event; ahead of the conference, Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth looks at some of the key projects that will feature at the event, focusing particularly on continuing efforts to tackle terrorist content online.

INTERVIEW: In a few days’ time the annual Inspire Justice Awards take place at the QEII Centre in London, celebrating the essential contribution and achievements of the wider justice workforce, and the unsung heroes often hidden from public view; ahead of this year’s ceremony, Policing Insight spoke to Mike and Danny – founders of Lads Like Us and speakers at the event – about their own journeys through the criminal justice system, and the importance of encouraging young men to talk about childhood trauma.

FEATURE: As the impact of climate change on policing continues to be discussed around the world, the UK’s recently updated National Risk Register has highlighted some of the key threats to safety and security, including environmental risks; Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth looks at one of those threats – flooding – in more detail, and explores the policing and emergency services planned response, as well as EU research in reducing disaster risk.

FEATURE: The consequences of climate change are increasingly recognised as a growing concern for policing and community safety, and were the subject of a recent @WeCops Twitter Chat; in this article Dr David Lydon of Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), who hosted the chat, reflects on the conversations and comments during the discussion, providing a narrative of the anonymised views and opinions of those taking part.

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INTERVIEW: As campaign group Stamp Out Spiking continues with calls for new legislation to tackle the offence as well as more support for support for victims, Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons spoke to CEO Dawn Dines about their work with police and other organisations to improve training and awareness around the crime.

FEATURE: In the latest in a new series of The Police Student focusing on Criminology in Policing, Policing Insight Academic Editor Dr Carina O’Reilly explores sociological theories for explaining crime, including the concept of ‘anomie’, strain theory, and the ‘subcultures’ explanation for why people at the bottom of the social ladder are more likely to become involved in crime.

FEATURE: The rapid expansion in the use of digital devices has presented new opportunities and challenges for police in the UK and internationally in leveraging information from digital data in criminal investigations; ahead of next week’s London Policing College workshop focusing on these issues, lecturer and consultant Dr Stuart Hyde, an experienced chief police officer and previous national police lead for data compliance, explores some the key concerns around skillsets, the regulatory framework, and the dangers of over-reliance on specialists.

INTERVIEW: As the Chief of Winnipeg Police Service and President of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Danny Smyth understands more than most about the challenges facing policing and police leadership in Canada and beyond; and as he explained to Policing Insight’s Christine Townsend, building community relationships, ensuring the wellbeing of officers, and preparing the next generation of leaders will all be vital to meeting those challenges.

FEATURE: With worryingly high levels of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the UK and other countries, tackling these crimes will require effective leadership and greater leverage of the digital landscape by police investigators; ahead of next week’s London Policing College workshop focusing on these issues, College Director and former Met Police Chief Superintendent Parm Sandhu explores some of the policing opportunities and challenges in the fight against VAWG.