Wednesday 22 June 2016, Scarman House, SEBP Midlands Regional Event at the University of Warwick

The most recent Midlands regional SEBP event, supported by Warwick University’s Centre for Operational Policing Research (COPR) and Warwick’s ESRC Impact Acceleration Account funding, Nicky Miller (representing the College of Policing) and EMPAC, was hosted at Warwick University on 22/6/16.

The keynote address was given by Professor Neil Stewart of COPR, exploring 'big data' specifically concerning custody, complaints and sickness, from data obtained in the Metropolitan and West Midlands Police.

Professor Jackie Hodgson (also COPR) discussed a current project being carried out by COPR researchers together with West Mercia and Warwickshire police, measuring public confidence in policing, through an evaluation of Smartwater and other preventive interventions. (Jackie's Powerpoint)

Divya Sukumar (a doctoral student, also COPR) discussed her research on the timing of police disclosure and its impact on custodial legal advice.

Dr Tony Kearon (Keele University) explored knowledge exchange as 'knowledge informed practice or practice informed knowledge?' recommending a focus on symbiotic research between practitioners and researchers.

Sgt John Tanner, a cohort member of the fast track to inspector programme organised by the College if Policing, who works in Derbyshire Constabulary, discussed his perspectives on evidence based leadership.

This led to an extended discussion, involving speakers and attendees, on the proper relationship between independent academic research, commissioning and consultancy roles, and police practice needs. Many contributions engaged directly with issues raised in the current research, such as the relationship between public expectations and public confidence in policing; the importance of operational and workplace context in understanding Professional Standards data around complaints; the mechanisms for recording complaints; and the factors driving custody numbers.

Professor Geoff Berry (University of Derby Policing Institute) facilitated a discussion on 'so what'? to explore how impact is perceived, measured and demonstrated in policing knowledge.

Kate Algate, national lead for Neighbourhood Watch, argued for a citizen-based approach, emphasising the importance and relevance of prevention, both from personal impact on victims and society and from financial savings perspectives.
What next?

Delegates were informed of the next national SEBP event to be hosted at Franklin gardens at Northampton 2/3 March 2017.

D/Superintendent Chris Davison of Lincolnshire Police is keen to host the next SEBP midlands regional event in Autumn 2016, in partnership with Lincoln University colleagues. Details to be circulated, but early discussion is this is likely to take a workshop style and focus on 'so what?, continuing the exploration and evaluation of impact in police knowledge.