Presenter Ben Twomey is joined by two guests and former colleagues to talk about how policing is changing, why people misusing substances are being diverted away from prison, and how the West Midlands became the first police force where officers carry and administer anti-heroin medication. Meg Jones, Director of the social justice and harm-reduction charity Cranstoun, and Jane Bailey, former senior police officer at West Midlands Police, share their views with Ben and our Policing TV audience.
Takeaways
- Diversion is crucial for supporting individuals away from the criminal justice system.
- The role of third sector organizations is vital in providing expertise and support.
- Changing mindsets within policing is essential for effective intervention.
- Young people benefit from drug education rather than traditional deterrents.
- Naloxone can save lives during drug overdoses.
- The right to life is a fundamental duty for public bodies.
- Leadership and collaboration are key to implementing successful initiatives.
- Evidence-based approaches can lead to significant changes in policy.
- Community engagement is necessary for effective policing strategies.
- Innovative practices in policing can reduce reoffending rates.
Sound Bites
- “Naloxone is the antidote to heroin overdoses.”
- “The stars aligned for us to make this change.”
- “It’s one of my proudest achievements.”
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Policing and Social Justice
01:45 – Understanding Diversion in Policing
04:36 – The Role of Third Sector in Policing
06:13 – Changing Mindsets in Law Enforcement
11:53 – Reoffending and Second Chances
15:12 – Naloxone: A Life-Saving Measure
22:20 – The Importance of Leadership in Change
You can speak with Meg Jones and Jane Bailey on Linkedin if you want to connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-jones-3a370841/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-bailey-05641032/
Looking for further reading? Ben and Meg wrote a chapter on ‘leading local change’ as part of an edited book on drug law enforcement by Matthew Bacon and Jack Spicer: https://www.college.police.uk/research/crime-reduction-toolkit/imprisonment-and-other-custodial-sanctions
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s 2018 recommendations for drug policy change, featuring diversion and naloxone, can be read here: https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/West-Midlands-Drug-Policy-Recommendations.pdf
Cranstoun’s DIVERT programme can be found here: https://cranstoun.org/help-and-advice/alcohol-other-drugs/divert/
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