Taming the Wicked: Impact of police-academic research

partnerships

Dr Nicky MillerResearch Evidence Partnerships ManagerCanterbury Conference June 2018

Police Knowledge Fund

http://www.college.police.uk/en/20878.htm

Build sustained capability amongst officers and staff to understand, critique and use research

Embed or accelerate understanding of crime and policing issues, and evidence based problem-solving approaches

Demonstrate innovation in building the research evidence base and applying it through knowledge exchange and translation across all levels of policing.

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2

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To support the development of sustainable education & research collaborations between police forces & academic institutions.

University of Cambridge8%

University of Exeter (ExPERT)

3%

Keele University3%

Liverpool John Moores University

6%

University of Bedfordshire6%

University of Cardiff (OSCAR)

5%

City University3%

Leeds Beckett University (CARI)7%

University of Sheffield4%University of Sussex

6%

University of Northampton (EMPAC)

10%

University of Nottingham (BPC)

12%

Open University (CPRL)15%

University of York (CONNECT)

12%

Capability Building

Centre of Expertise

Hybrid

Impact review: Introduction

METHOD

• Synthesis of 14 final evaluation reports• Written by lead academics • Varied widely in depth and quality• Tendency to showcase ‘good news’ • Immediate rather than long term impact• Lack of evaluation made identifying impact more challenging

CONTENT

• Against each of the three objectives• In terms of the overall aim i.e. sustainable collaborations• Impact on who?

Obj. 1: Build sustained capability of research use within police

New learners

> 500EBP Workshop / short

course attendees

> 220Police students on

accredited PG progs.

> 14,000Accessed online

learning resources

New accredited learning

3 x new PG Certs

EBP PG & UG modules

Research informed modules

Professional pathway from apprenticeship to postgraduate

> 200Short research projects

(e.g. Masters)

c50Fellowships /

transfers

Other e.g.s of capability building mechanisms

Conferences / workshops /

forums

The Open University:

“Three months as Senior Practitioner Fellow has taught me many things, not least that despite the chasm of differences between law enforcement and academia the two can work shoulder to shoulder on key research... The opportunity has forged stronger links between our organisations and more collaborations are now flourishing, not to mention the relationships it has afforded us with various police forces. Likewise the research I was able to conduct has provided the beginnings of an evidence base to otherwise unexplored work and been extremely well received and useful to the NCA.” Senior Officer Jane Birkett, National Crime Agency

Centre for Policing Research and Learning:

“The PKF gave me the opportunity to work full time with the OU’s research team on a six-month secondment. The co-creation of research by academics and practitioners created an environment of mutual benefit and learning, building on the expertise of each and resulted in a research that is of real practical value for practitioners whilst at the same time developed the academic knowledge. It has made me a better police officer by understanding how research can be used to improve policing. It also allowed me to better champion Evidence Based Policing to other officers by giving me the knowledge and credibility to do so."

Detective Sergeant, Thames Valley Police

- Increased use of academic research in police policy

- Development of standardised best practice policies and guidelines

Policy / guidance Practice

TrainingStrategy

Obj. 2: Embed or accelerate understanding of crime / policing issues

Primary research and evaluations

Systematic reviews, evidence reviews, maps

RCTs

Research activity- Support tactical and strategic decision making

- Development of new tools & technical solutions

- Use of diagnostic research evidence on live operations

- EB approach to delivery & development of training

- EB learning embedded in local and national training

- Steps towards accreditation of new training as national standard

- Informed changes in local force strategies

- Evidence informed restructures - Increased integrated response

with partner agencies

Tools / resourcesFellowships, exchanges

Knowledge exchange

Evidence visualisation tool: Made relevant, easy to understand evidence linked to day to day policing challenges routinely available to police. Currently being tested in two forces. BPC

Sentinel Social Media Platform: Provided operational support in terms of data collection & analysis in relation to several high profile terrorist attacks, murders & public order events. OSCAR

Obj. 3: Innovation in knowledge exchange

Algorithmic Custody Suite Forecasting Model: Evaluation led to dissemination of the model internationally and development of a legal and ethical framework for its implementation. Cambridge

Impact Capacity Rating Mechanism: Clearly articulates what is required for effective research outcomes i.e. impact. Currently being piloted & already used beyond EMPAC region. EMPAC

Digital evidence mobile app: Helps front line officers identify and preserve digital evidence e.g. Wi-Fi, blue tooth. Evaluation showed measurable decrease in workload of digital forensic units. UK police digital investigation and intelligence considering national rollout. Leeds Beckett

Tools / resourcesFellowships /

exchangesKnowledge exchange

Obj. 3: Innovation in knowledge exchange

Advisory / Steering / Expert groups: Valuable leverage for co-production and translation. Recognition of value at senior level led to continued existence beyond life of project.

Reports, briefings, blogs, websites, podcasts: Co-produced and co-delivered. Facilitates knowledge translation.

Knowledge hubs / networks / forums: Identifying priority areas, co-generation of relevant research questions, building sustained collaborative capabilities including & beyond project partners, exchange of good practice.

Conferences / workshops: National & international conferences, presentations and workshops across diverse themes on emerging research & national priority areas; inputs often available online.

Tools / resources Knowledge exchange

Obj. 3: Innovation in knowledge exchange

50+ secondments / fellowships / research placements in five projects: EMPAC, Exeter, OU, Leeds Beckett, LJMU

- Opportunities for continuous two-way knowledge exchange across ranks and roles

- Practitioner researchers co-creating research & building capability, skills and confidence alongside expertise from researchers

- Bridge gap between research and practice communities: ‘knowledge brokers’

- Ensure research and evidence are tailored to improving policing practice

- Helping embed evidence into practice: ‘evidence champions’

- Led to changes in way research is designed, delivered and commissioned in force

Fellowships / exchanges

Liverpool John Moores University: “When I started my secondment at LJMU I had little knowledge of EBP and had not been in academic setting for over 10 years. Since then I have: worked with academics to develop and deliver a PG Cert to 70 officers; supervised colleagues to deliver policy relevant research projects; helped set up a unit where students can come into the force to problem solve real life cybercrimes; given lectures to undergraduate and postgraduate students on EBP; carried out my own research; built up personal relationships with LJMU staff so I know who to talk to when we’ve got an issue; and presented at an international conference about Merseyside’s work on EBP. When I sit down with my PKF colleagues and reflect on what we’ve achieved over the two years, it really is staggering.”Inspector Carl McNulty, Merseyside Police

Themed impact : digital and cyber 1

7 x PKF collaborations reported impact in the area of digital and cyber

OSCAR (Cardiff University): Developing open source methodologies, technologies and insights in policing & criminal justice.

Output e.g: New technology that allows frontline officers to use mobile devices to directly interrogate intelligence databases and open source data (CEBOT)

Impact: Delivered tools and insights at the ‘operational edge' that directly informed policing interventions

LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY: Developing capability of WYP to take EBP approach to dealing with cyber and digital crime

Outputs incl. package of new & innovative tools and procedures enabling improved identification, extraction, analysis, matching and preservation of digital evidence.

Impact incl: Improved police response capabilities in cases involving large amounts of digital data; new capability to identify vulnerable victims and link new cases to previously seized devices; measurable decrease in workload caused by seizure of irrelevant digital evidence.

UK police digital investigation and intelligence are considering national rollout of some tools.

BETTER POLICING COLLABORATIVE (University of Nottingham):

Output: A systematic evidence review considering cybercrime alongside financial crime.

Impact: Increased collaboration between these two areas of investigation at WMP; informed application of Proceeds of Crime Act in cybercrime investigations; informed the design and content of the new MSc programme at the University of Derby

Themed impact : digital and cyber 2

OSCAR (Cardiff University):

"Ultimately the work conducted by the OSCAR researchers was of the very highest quality and eclipsed the Open Source work conducted by West Midlands Police. The level of detail and comprehensive coverage that they provided gave me a great deal of confidence as Intel Bronze and my only regret was that we couldn't have this level of support for every major event!”

Detective Chief Inspector Iain Donnelly, West Midlands Police

BPC (University of Nottingham):

“…One area in particular which has seen significant progress in recent months is the development of the force’s cybercrime and digital policing strategies. By bringing academics, strategists and practitioners together in a series of workshops, we have been able to fuse existing skills sets around financial and digital investigation to develop innovative ways of tackling emerging threats.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Todd, WMP

• Shift in practice and culture in both police and academics• Outputs leading to a more professionalised workforce• Creation and use of research evidence for policing improvement

Impact example: Case study

Widened collaboration in development of

research questions, education &

knowledge exchange

New learning pathways fostering spread of CPD & promoting EBP at all

levels

High quality research in diverse

fields with demonstrable

impact

Knowledge exchange beyond

18 partners demonstrating reach as well as

depth “Research into

practice, practice into

research”

Open educational resources providing bite-sized learning

MOOCs = 14,177

Website = 11,000 sessions

Policing PG Certificate = 26 UG modules in EBP

3 x PhDs

10 x research cafés = 280 6 x peer learning visits Series of conferences /

workshops

6 x co-produced problem-solving /action research

projects

5 x senior police practitioner fellows seconded into OU

Example

Impact beyond the police service…..

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION: Learning from mapping of CSE evidence base led to commissioning and delivery of new CSE guidance for DfE and for Scotland (ongoing work with Wales & NI) Bedfordshire

HMIC: New research and analysis has delivered new insights to HMIC and informed their inspections, notably in area of vulnerability

Sussex, BPC

HEALTH: Outputs from evaluation of mental health and policing interventions used by NHS England in design of new workforce training and educational curriculum for all clinical staff working in justice sector BPC

CHILD PROTECTION: 7@7 evidence based briefing approach now used by other related organisations, particularly those involved in child protection BPC

HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS:

Shift in thinking about research by academics highlighting potential for practice into research Strengthened alliances between academics in different disciplines within a university HEI networks found commonalities and shared objectives, increasing respect and trust Creation of cross regional offers driven by collaboration rather than by competition Sharing of potential teaching and funded research opportunities across HEIs, distributing

rewards Enriched teaching portfolio and curriculums through emphasis on practitioner led research

Final Thoughts…..

Strong collaborative relationships with high levels of trust outlasting the projects

Increase in questioning culture and openness to research

Support and commitment to sustainable partnerships at the senior level

The PKF has accelerated & highlighted the benefits of partnerships between forces and academic institutions.

The PKF resulted in a range of resources supporting the police to tackle new & complex

crime problems around a diversity of topics.

PKF has explored those features of police-academic collaboration models that support effective co-production of evidence to inform practice.

Need to include a focus on translation of the products into practice in partnership

Sustainability

• Activities continuing beyond life of PKF• Acted as key stimulus to develop infrastructures for embedding of EBP• Financial commitment to maintaining a long term police / academic partnership • Co-designed research projects scoped and grants secured / being pursued• Ongoing collaborative working to scope new areas of work• Ongoing support for co-attended boards, groups and meetings• Funding secured for EBP / KE roles to continue• Sustainable knowledge hubs and networks & stimulated development of

networks nationally & internationally

On-going activity

“I strongly believe that this has been the most important innovation in policing during my

service. In terms of austerity, using methods that can be shown to be empirically shown to work is vital, not only in terms of operational

capacity but from a public confidence and legitimacy perspective. It also leads to

innovation and creativity and helps aligns some of the best minds in the country to

challenging policing problems”