A Production of the Global Collaboration of Evidence Based Policing in conjunction with Policing TV

Background

In October 2022 the Global Collaboration of Evidence Based Policing broadcast a fully live studio-quality 24- hour continuous conference out of two hubs – Christchurch, New Zealand and London, United Kingdom.

The conference brought together world-leading criminologists from across the globe, academic thinkers, and police professionals from dozens of agencies, to look at the role that evidence, its legitimacy, and policing leadership have in everyday policing – shaping “exceptional” policing, the evidence-based way.

The Global Collaboration of Evidence Based Policing has now teamed-up with Policing TV to bring the best of the conference material to a wider audience.

Session sponsor: MOPAC

Presenter:

Professor Michael Scott, Arizona State University and Center for Problem-Oriented Policing

Panel:

Dr Lisa Tompson, Te Puna Haumaru, NZ Institute for Security & Crime Science, University of Waikato

Associate Professor Justin Ready, Griffith University

With a strong emphasis on the application of problem-solving approaches to real-world issues,  Professor Mike Scott provides a range of useful advice and insights that are of benefit to executive leaders, decision-makers, operational commanders, frontline practitioners, analysts and all those that work with communities to solve policing problems. With a particular focus on issues of implementation, Professor Scott highlights the importance of knowing how and why POP projects might ‘fail’, and emphasises the role of planning, external and internal support, leadership, communication, resources and staffing as key factors in determining success in adopting a problem-solving approach. With a final section on the need to be prepared to adapt to changing circumstances and the iterative nature of POP, this presentation provides an excellent review of the challenges faced in adopting new responses to policing problems.

As part of a panel discussion, and responding to a range of audience questions, Professor Scott’s analysis is complemented with insights from Dr Lisa Tompson including an understanding of the tools and techniques to help busy police staff document good practice, and a strong call to ‘build a new evidence base from the ground upwards to better understand implementation issues’. Associate Professor Justin Ready, emphasises the importance of context particularly when conducting project evaluations, and staying focused on task.

In his concluding remarks Professor Scott emphasises the critical importance of strong, visible leadership as the key takeaway for all with the ambition to adopt and embed a problem-solving approach.

Further insights into Problem-Oriented Policing can be found online:

Center for Problem-Oriented Policing – Arizona State University

Problem-Solving Policing – UK College of Policing

The diffusion of police innovation: A case study of problem-oriented policing in England and Wales – International Journal of Police Science & Management