The Police Foundation is the only independent charity focused entirely on developing people's knowledge and understanding of policing and challenging the police service and the government to improve policing for the benefit of the public. The Police Foundation acts as a bridge between the public, the police and the government, while being owned by none of them. Read more...
The Police Foundation improves policing and promotes the safety and security of every citizen by providing an independent, evidence-led perspective on policing and related matters. It has three main aims:
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To pose challenging questions and promote debate on policing and police reform
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To provide commentary, knowledge and insight into contemporary policing issues
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To undertake research to inform policing policy and improve practice
The Independent Commission on Youth Crime launches 'Time for a Fresh Start'
On Thursday 15th July, the Commission launched Time for a Fresh Start, its proposals for reforming the response to youth crime and antisocial behaviour. The report calls for an end to the 20 year arms race between politicians who have placed the need to sound tough above the need to deliver a fair, effective and sustainable youth justice system. Click here to download a copy of the report. Click here to listen to an earlier discussion on Radio 4's Woman's Hour, featuring John Graham, Director of the Police Foundation.
 John Harris Memorial Lecture 2010
Our annual lecture, on 12th July, was given by Sir Paul Stephenson, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service who spoke on the subject of serious and organised crime. To read the full speech click here. To read a brief summary of the speech on BBC News, click here. To listen to further discussion about the approach to serious and organised crime on Radio 4, click here.
The first annual Police Foundation conference - Policing and the Recession, 7th September 2010
Our first annual conference will explore policing and the recession. The event, supported by BT, will take place in London. It will identify opportunties to work collaboratively and improve productivity in times of public service disinvestment. Speakers will include Sir Michael Bichard, Director of the Institute for Government, Peter Neyroud, Chief Executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency, David Albury, Co-Chair of the Innovation Unit and Sir Ian Johnston, Director of Security and Resilience, London 2012 Organising Committee. For further information and to download a brochure click here.
New Home Secretary Theresa May announces the Government's plans for policing
Theresa May has announced that the government's main priority will be cutting centralised bureaucracy with a 'transfer of power from Whitehall to local communities' and directly elected police commissioners. She promised that this will allow the dismantling of targets allowing forces to pursue local prorities. Police officers will also be given discretion in charging for minor offences. With tough financial times and inevitable cuts on the horizon, she promised that by cutting paperwork there would be more police on the beat although she has declined to comment on whether, overall, police numbers would be cut.
Changes to the DNA database will follow the Scottish model with the focus on including records of all people convicted of a crime rather than those who had been acquitted.
Protecting the public: supporting the police to succeed
In December 2009, the Home Office published the White Paper - Protecting the public: supporting the police to succeed with the aim of making the police more accountable to the public and delivering cost savings through working better in partnership, improving efficiency and standardising procurement. Read the Police Foundation's response here.
What is policing for? Examining the impact and implications of contemporary policing intervention
The Economic and Social Research Council has published What is policing for? Examining the impact and implications of contemporary policing intervention. This publication is pertinent in the light of the challenges presented by global recession and highlights the views of experts given during a Public Policy Seminar series organised by the ESRC in collaboration with the Scottish Institute for Policing Research, The Police Foundation and the Universities' Police Science Institute. Order a free hard copy of the report or to download an electronic copy. To find out more about the ESRC click here
The Briefing
We have received positive feedback on our Briefing series. Edition 9 on antisocial behaviour is available for purchase online. Click here if you want to find out more about the series.
Oxford Policing Policy Forum
The 8th Forum was held on 8th February 2010. It explored the policing of drugs and alcohol and whether harm reduction is the way forward. A presentation was given by Professor Jonathan Caulkins, USA. Click here to find out more.
The DNA Database
In May 2009, the Government started a consultation on how long finger prints and DNA should be held on the DNA database. Click here to read the Police Foundation's response.
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