News (archive)

CCCU delivers at CEPOL’s European Joint Masters Programme

CCCU staff co-organised and delivered a module on police leadership, as part of the second iteration of the European Joint Masters Programme (EJMP). The programme is funded by CEPOL, and aims to foster cross-national police cooperation within Europe. CCCU is part of a consortium led by its long-standing partner, the Police Academy of the Netherlands, and the joint delivery of this module is testament to the soundness of this partnership.

Dr Sofia Graca and Dr Steve Tong, from the School of Law and Criminal Justice, each contributed with sessions, attended by an international group of senior police officers. Dr Graca said: 'I’m very proud to help CCCU be a part of this collaborative programme, both as a member of the executive, and as part of its organisation and delivery. I look forward to continue contributing for the development of police education in Europe and ensuring CCCU’s role in it.’ 

Canterbury Christ Church University research centres launch Brexit Border Report

Delivering a Brexit Border:  Policing, Security, Freight and Customs has been written by Canterbury Christ Church University’s Centre for European Studies (CEFEUS) and Canterbury Centre for Policing Research (CCPR). It aims to present national and local decision-makers and citizens with an objective, accessible overview of the strategic challenges facing UK border management arising from possible Brexit scenarios. The report launch took place at both Portcullis House, Westminster London and Canterbury Christ Church University on November 13th.

Portcullis House, London Launch: Dr Stephen Tong (CCCU, School of Law, Criminal Justice & Computing), Helen Watley MP, Prof Amelia Hadfield (CEFEUS), Matthew Norwell (chief executive of the Thames Gateway Kent Partnership), Dr Susan Kenyon (Director of Learning and Teaching, CCCU) .

Helen Whately, MP for Faversham and Mid-Kent, who is hosting the Westminster-based launch of the report on 13 November, said: “MPs like me know full well the importance of our border with the continent, and the risks when things go wrong. We remember the nightmare of 2015 when the M20 turned into a lorry park because of strikes and disruptions.

“The message we’ve been hammering home with Government is that we cannot have another Operation Stack when we leave the EU; traffic has to keep flowing through Kent. This report sets out in methodical detail some of the possible scenarios for Brexit, bringing to life the importance of keeping a smooth flow of goods between the UK and Europe. It also helpfully looks at Ports on the other side of the channel, and is clear about the downsides for them of customs delays. I welcome the level of detail and information in this report which will help us keep up the pressure for a good Brexit deal and robust contingency plans to keep Kent moving.”

Professor Amelia Hadfield, Director of CEFEUS and co-author of the report, said: “Let’s be clear, the changes triggered by Britain leaving the EU will be felt first, hardest and longest at its borders.

“Britain’s ability to engineer a decent departure from the EU depends heavily on border management and nowhere are preparations more important than at the border. The UK government has an undoubted and indisputable responsibility to the frontiers of its own state: starting with the complex inter-workings of the border itself. Whether the UK is approaching a no-deal scenario, or a medium-term shift beyond the Customs Union, the UK government’s entire attention, energy and resources must now be poured into the host of customs, security and logistical challenges at Dover, Folkestone and Kent itself.

“Here, failing to prepare adequately for any type of Brexit - particularly a ‘no-deal’ scenario - poses very real consequences for genuine upheaval across the county and the country beyond.”

 Dr Stephen Tong, co-author of the report and Director of Research and Enterprise in the School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing, added: “The police have received substantial cuts in resources and the ability to respond and adapt to major events will be a substantial challenge. While the police will prioritise their responses as they always have, the ‘thin blue line’ is particularly vulnerable given the potential of the challenges that lie ahead. Without certainty for what they are planning for, it is not only the ability to manage the major events that could be created by Brexit, but what gets left behind as a consequence that matters.

“The police have consistently stated they are struggling with current demands and senior leaders are questioning what they can and cannot do on a daily basis. The potential implications of Brexit in relation to the possible impact on policing and security, alongside a police service already at the ‘tipping point’, are substantial.”

The report is available on the CCPR website, publications page.

Penal Heritage Briefing Paper Launch

Earlier this year Maryse Tennant co-authored ‘Penal Heritage: Approaches to Interpretation’, a briefing paper for the heritage sector advising about ethical interpretation at former prison sites. This was part of an AHRC/Labex funded project ‘Sites of Suffering, Sites of Memory’ led by Professor Charles Forsdick at the University of Liverpool. The briefing paper draws on Maryse’s work on Canterbury prison heritage as a good practice example and was launched at the Penal and Forensic Heritage event held at the University of Liverpool on 17^th October 2018.

On October 18th Dr Emma Williams presented a paper with Dr Ian Hesketh from the College of Policing on authentic leadership, change and well being in the police. The event was attended by over 500 officers, staff and volunteers and included the Chief Constable and our very own Graham Hooper. The Kent inclusion and diversity day was organised by ACC Jo Shiner and included presentations from Emma Cobb at Deloitte and Laughology, who did a fascinating paper (with humour) on unconscious bias. An article was published in Policing Insight on the back of the event and feedback from attendees has been very positive. Article here  https://policinginsight.com/opinion/new-notions-of-diversity-internal-bias-and-the-role-of-leaders/

Con Son Trip

At the beginning of September Maryse Tennant participated in a five day field trip to prison sites on Con Son island, Vietnam along with a team of inter-disciplinary researchers from Nottingham Trent University and the University of Liverpool. There are a number of prison sites on the island, which were used by both the French and the South Vietnamese/American forces during the Vietnam war, and these include the infamous ‘Tiger Cages’.

As part of this she spoke at a workshop held at Ton Duc Thang University in Ho Chi Minh City about CCCU’s redevelopment of the Canterbury prison site and her research on that institution. You can read a more detailed report of the workshop here: http://ssh.tdtu.edu.vn/en/tin-tuc/2018/prison-heritage-conson-and-beyond. The team will be holding an event based on the trip on the 24^th November 2018 in Nottingham which will include an exhibition of photographs of the site taken by Charles Fox, Nottingham Trent University. 

Lynne Owen, Director General from the National Crime Agency received an Honorary Doctorate at Canterbury Cathedral on September 11th.

Dr Emma Williams delivered the oration at the graduation ceremony and we are all honoured to have Lynne attached to the university through this very well deserved award.

Prof Robin Bryant, together with Dr Roger Arditti from the MPS have published a second article as a result of research conducted into firearms licencing. Entitled '‘A wicked problem’? Risk assessment and decision-making when licensing possession and use of firearms in Greater London'. It was published in the Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles in September 2018. In June Robin and Roger also published an article in Police professional concerning the controversial MPS 'gangs database' ('The Matrix Reloaded? Why we should improve the MPS ‘Gang Violence Matrix’, not dismantle it').  Robin has also contributed a chapter on ''Innate Reasoning and Critical Incident Decision-Making'  in the book ' Decision Making in Police Enquiries and Critical Incidents' which will be published by Palgrave McMillan in February 2019. 

Dr Emma Williams attended the European Society of Criminology Conference in Sarajevo at the end of August to deliver a paper on Police Professionalism with Professor Mike Rowe from Northampton University. The conference was attended by a number of academics and practitioners across Europe. 

Taming the Wicked: The Role of Partnerships

On the 20th and 21st June The Canterbury Centre for Policing Research (CCPR) held its third annual conference, marking the second birthday of the centre. The CCPR has had a very successful year, with a growing number of postgraduate students and research projects. The theme of the conference was partnership working and aimed to highlight how a number of very complex and challenging issues require a more joined up approach in order to more effectively deliver on outcomes for the public.

Papers were delivered by eminent speakers such as Professor Maurice Punch and Keith Grint who opened the conference by providing some real context about leading through 'wicked problems' and highlighting that many of these complex issues are now strongly linked to public health matters which should, perhaps, not be entering the criminal justice arena AND BEING DEALT WITH, PREDOMINANTLY, BY THE POLICE. 

The conference was a huge success, attended by practitioners and academics from the policing arena. We are already thinking about conference four. A huge thanks to everyone involved in helping organise it and those that gave papers over the two days.

Emma Williams attended the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing (ASEBP) conference in Philadelphia in May to deliver a paper on the Police Education Qualification Framework and its' connection with the Evidence Based Policing agenda in the UK. The conference was attended by a number of academics and practitioners across the USA. Emma also has two chapters coming out in a new EBP book which is being edited by the chair of the ASEBP and the Canadian equivalent.

Underwater security taggant to combat illegal shipwreck salvage

Kevin Lawton-Barrett, Senior Lecturer has developed a novel security taggant with a company called MSDS Marine who are responsible for diving on marine archaeological sites for Historic England.

The taggant will contain an ultraviolet dye, a cocktail of unusual metals, and microdots. It is carried in a marine grease and is applied to historic shipwrecks which are under threat of illegal salvage and theft. Each batch of the material is unique to each ship, and the combinations available are endless.

When a ship is attacked, the grease contaminates the diver, his equipment and his dive boat. Officials from Customs, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and police forces will be equipped with torches that cause the taggant to glow, and readers which identify the metal component to alert them to the fact that the substance is suspicious and worthy of further examination. The microdots are unique to each vessel.

Kevin is looking to deploy soon, hopefully this summer, in order to test the process. Initial tests will be carried on 5 ships.

Heritage Crime in Kent and Medway

Robin Bryant and Mike Hewitt have secured funding to undertake research on heritage crime in Kent and Medway. The project is in collaboration with colleagues from the School of Human and Life Sciences (Geography), Historic England and Kent Police and will involve the analysis of geospatial data. Robin Bryant together with Sarah Bryant, Barry Blackburn and Kevin Lawton-Barrett have also been commissioned by Historic England to write a handbook on 'Heritage Crime' to be published in 2019. 

Police Federation research – Emma Williams

In November 2017 the CCPR was approached by the research team at the Police Federation England and Wales. They asked us to become involved in some research analysing data from the annual pay survey as the process had involved asking officers of federated ranks their views on College of Policing initiatives. The response rate was so high that the local research team did not have the capacity to conduct the analysis themselves. We were very excited to be involved in the work as it focused on one of the core priorities of the Centre - police professionalisation. The initial draft report was completed by Jennifer Norman and Emma Williams and submitted to the Federation at the end of December. The feedback was positive and we were asked to present the paper over Skype at the Division of Occupational Psychology Conference in January. The paper focused on the direct entry scheme part of the analysis and excellent feedback was received. The paper has subsequently been developed into a publication for Policing Insight and an academic article is planned for this year. The final report will be submitted to the Federation by the end of March. 

Canterbury Prison history research – Maryse Tennant

Maryse Tennant was recently interviewed by the Times Higher following a research symposium she organised at CCCU. ‘Penal Cultures: Representing the Prison in Heritage and Art’ was held on 25^th January 2018 in conjunction with the AHRC/LABEX project ‘“Dark Tourism” in Comparative Perspective: Sites of Suffering, Sites of Memory’. Read the article here.

Police Federation England and Wales – Officer Perspectives of College of Policing Initiatives

In October 2017 Emma Williams and Jennifer Norman from CCPR were approached to conduct independent analysis for the Police Federation England and Wales (PFEW) on qualitative data the Federation had collected from their annual Pay and Morale survey. The survey explored a number of the College of Policing proposals – particularly the Police Education Qualification Framework (PEQF) and the Direct Entry Scheme. Previous research by the Police Federation has also shown that changes such as Direct Entry were associated with a reduction in morale among officers (Boag-Munroe, 2015). The findings and final report have been returned to the PFEW and have now been published. 

The analysis showed that officers felt the Direct Entry Scheme impacted negatively on policing; officers were frustrated and sceptical about the Assessment and Recognition of Competence Initiative; the Licence to Practice was not understood and was perceived as a waste of resources and the National Register for Police Officers was seen as unnecessary and risky.

The main area of concern was the direct entry scheme and the specific findings on this were presented at a conference in January 2018 by Jenny and Emma. The key issues have also featured in a Policing Insight article  https://policinginsight.com/analysis/cannot-learn-policing-book-serving-officers-really-think-direct-entry/.

The findings are likely to inform the PFEW policy around their communications with the policy, driven by an evidence based approach. For details please contact Emma.Williams@canterbury.ac.uk or Jenny.Norman@canterbury.ac.uk

Lynne Owens Director General of the National Crime Agency 

At the last study weekend on 19th January, we were lucky enough to have Lynne Owens Director General of the National Crime Agency deliver our Friday evening lecture at the in service study weekend. Lynne talked openly about the current challenges of policing on line sexual exploitation and the risks this presents to women and girls. Her talk prompted some excellent and thought provoking questions from our students and the paper was well received from staff and students alike.

CCPR features at the SIPR annual conference 

Dr Stephen Tong and Emma Williams, from the Canterbury Centre for Policing Research (CCPR) in the School of Law, Criminal Justice & Computing, were invited to contribute to a workshop panels on ‘Policing and Higher Education: Opportunities and Challenges’ at the Scottish International Policing Conference organised by the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR).

The one-day conference took place on December 14th and was attended by police officers and academics from across the UK and beyond. Dr Tong said

“The contribution of higher education in policing is different in Scotland to England & Wales. The university, School and CCPR is recognised for its research interests and experience in designing and delivering higher education policing programmes across the world. So it was a great opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas with police officers and academics.”

As always the conference is extremely well organised with opportunities to hear about developments in Scotland.

First students of the European Joint Master's Programme in Policing graduate

The first cohort of the new European Joint Master's Programme (EJMP) in Policing have graduated. This follows a very successful two-year collaboration between a variety of European partners.

The EJMP is an EU academic programme, funded by CEPOL ( European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training), which aims to address common challenges of police cooperation. It provides students with science-based competences in a European community of practice.

Senior police officers from all EU member states, as well as Europol, attended the programme and critically analysed and researched aspects of cross-national police cooperation. They will now be able to share the knowledge acquired with their own forces, as well as with hundreds of officers and researchers through CEPOL.

Dr Sofia Graca from the School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing, who is a member of the executive committee for the EJMP, said:

“It was with great pride and joy that I represented Christ Church at the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of students on this programme. It is a truly ambitious endeavour for all European partners involved and I look forward to working with CEPOL and my international colleagues for the next iteration of the programme.”

A new group of students have started their studies with a residential week in Budapest; they are expected to graduate in 2019.  

14.11.17

CCCPR delivers counter terrorism lecture at New Scotland Yard

Dr Katarina Mozova and Dr Stephen Tong from the Canterbury Centre for Policing Research (CCPR) were invited to New Scotland Yard by the Metropolitan Black Police Officers Association (MetBPA) to deliver a presentation on research focused on public fear of terrorism and perceptions of counter terrorism strategies. The research involved questionnaires completed in 2016 and then following the terrorist attacks in Manchester and London in 2017. The research was funded by QR funds allocated by the CCCU.

Stephen Tong and Katarina Mozova (both CCPR) with members of the Metropolitan Police Black Police Officers Association.

Steve Tong said:

“Katarina identified a gap in the research in relation to perceptions of terrorism and counter-terrorism strategy and has led on this research. We measured perceptions before the Manchester and London in attacks and gain afterwards, analysing difference. It was great to present our feedback to the Metropolitan Black Police Officers Association. Eighty officers were in attendance many involved in counter terrorism and other areas of policing.”

24.11.17

Detective research presented at University of Surrey Annual Sociology & Criminology Postgraduate Conference

Dr Steve Tong was invited to present his research on detective training at the University of Surrey annual postgraduate conference in Guildford.

Steve said

“I really enjoyed presenting my research at this conference. We are beginning to get a number of interesting research projects around the way detectives learn. There was a wide range of excellent papers at the conference looking at some really interesting debates relating to some key issues in criminal justice. It is a fantastic idea to bring postgraduate students toge ther aw ay from a university environment to meet other academics they wouldn’t usually come across and discuss criminology and criminal justice”.

The conference is aimed at postgraduate students studying at Masters level. The University of Surrey invites researchers from other universities in the UK and overseas to present a variety of research. The conference provides the opportunity for students to discuss the presentations and their own research with speakers in a fantastic environment.

Professor Jon Garland said

“We were really pleased that Steve accepted our invitation to speak. He delivered a fascinating talk that offered intriguing insights into undertaking ethnographic research with the police. Steve’s presentation was one of the highlights of the conference and his input was greatly appreciated by staff and students alike”.

02.10.17

CCPR feature on the College of Policing Research Map

The College of Policing (CoP) Research Map is a webpage on the CoP website that lists on going policing research within UK universities. Following an increase in the number of CCPR research projects and student postgraduate research degree projects listed on the College of Policing Research Map, the CCPR were invited to contribute to a feature outlining the benefits of the map. Dr Steve Tong said

“This is a great opportunity to try raise awareness of the benefits of listing policing research across the country. This is a really useful map that enhances the possibility of collaboration with police services and universities across the country.”

The webpage features postgraduate research student Liam Cahill and Gareth Stubbs.

18.10.17

CCPR Round Table: Hate Crime

To mark the Hate Crime Awareness Week, Canterbury Centre for Policing Research (CCPR), University’s Equality and Diversity, Staff Networks and Students’ Union came together to organise a Hate Crime Roundtable on Wed 18th of October.

The event coincided with the release of new government figures, which showed a 29% rise in recorded hate crime, making the discussion particularly topical.

The lively audience Q&A was preceded by inputs from an expert panel of Rita Chadha, Dr Jon Garland, Paul Giannasi and Sue Sanders.

The discussions explored underlying reasons for the rise in hate crime, particularly the impact of the EU Referendum and various terrorist attacks, as well as the response to hate crime from the police, the political leadership and those working to tackle the issue in the communities. The audience also heard from Kent Police representatives about the local situation.

Dr Katja Hallenberg, senior lecturer from the School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing, commented:

“The event was a truly collaborative effort with people from different parts of the university working together. We were delighted to welcome staff, students and members of the public to engage with this challenging topic that, unfortunately, touches so many lives. It is our hope that the conversations started and connections made during the event will continue in the future.” 

Dr Dominic Wood awarded best ‘sole authored’ article by the British Society of Criminology Policing Network

At the annual British Society of Criminology (BSC) conference held in July this year, Dr Dominic Wood won the award for best ‘Sole authored paper’ from the BSC Policing network. His paper, entitled ‘The importance of liberal values within policing: police and crime commissioners, police independence and the spectre of illiberal democracy’, was published in the Policing and Society Journal in 2016.

The prestigious award is subject to nomination and review. The reviewers said:

"Wood’s paper is an excellent piece of scholarship, bringing important insight into conceptual challenges relating to the democratic governance and accountability of police in 21st century. It draws upon a wide-range of police history, political theory and similar literature to explore the tensions between developing a liberal model of policing and one that is democratic."

Dr Steve Tong (Director of the Canterbury Centre for Policing Research) said:

"This is the first time an academic from CCCU has won an award at the BSC and it is particularly gratifying for Dominic to win this award from the policing network. Dominic has published widely and contributed to policing debates in academia and beyond for over 20 years, so to get this award at a time when there are more policing articles published than ever before is a fantastic achievement"

CCPR Announces annual events for 2017-18

CCPR Lecture series – Canterbury Campus

• Friday September 8th 6.30pm Ian Hopkins - Social media and leadership
• Friday November 10th 5.30pm Jill Russell - Clio and the Constable: History in Service to Policing Practice
• Friday January 19th time 5.30pm Lynne Owens - Gender and Leadership
• Friday March 9th time 5.30pm Prof Francis Pakes -  Missing People

To gain entry to these free lectures you must first email  ccpr@canterbury.ac.uk book your place. 

Hate Crime round table 18th October 5.30pm Canterbury Campus

Expert panel

• Sue Sanders, Professor Emeritus Harvey Milk Institute and Chair of Schools OUT UK
• Jon Garland, Professor of Criminology, University of Surrey
• Paul Giannasi, Police Superintendent and Manager of the UK Government Hate Crime Programme
• Rita Chadha, CEO Citizen Advice Bureau/former CEO of Refugee and Migrant Forum for Essex and London (RAMFEL)

Our panel will be representing different viewpoints into the issue, each with 10 minutes to speak. This will then be followed by opening the discussion to the wider audience. The event will be open to both university staff and students, as well as general public. We are looking to invite local organisations and groups with a particular interest in the topic. 

To book a place at the conference use the booking process on the CCPR events

CCPR annual conference 'Taming the wicked and the role of partners’

20/21st June 2018

Canterbury Campus

To book a place at the conference use the booking process on the CCPR events

 06.07.17

Dr Dominic Wood wins award for best ‘Sole authored paper’ from the BSC Policing network.

21.07.17

Canterbury Christ Church have responded by developing bystander training

The Guardian newspaper reporting on sexual harassment at universities and the need for HE to do more. The article made reference to the bystander project at Canterbury Christ Church University as one of the measure universities were actively involved with. Dr Sofia Graca, Rashid Aziz, Dr Demetris Hadjigeorgiou and Dr Dimitris Akrivos have been involved in leading the introduction of the scheme and are currently conducting research to understand the impact of the training. Read the full article here.

https://amp.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2017/jul/20/cultural-change-is-needed-to-tackle-sexual-harassment-on-campus 

05.06.17

Elaine Brown -  Expert Comment: Terrorism and cyber hate

Dr Elaine Brown, Senior Lecturer in Counter Terrorism, discusses tackling cyberbullying in relation to the recent terror attacks.  Find out more here.

22.06.17

Second Canterbury Centre for Policing Research annual conference a sell-out success

The Canterbury Centre for Policing Research (CCPR) recently held its second annual conference, which proved to be a sell-out success with 120 people attending over two days. 
 
The conference, Learning from Evidence: Mission impossible? boasted an impressive range of speakers, which included academics and practitioners who discussed the barriers to, and facilitators of, change in policing.
 
The mix of academic research and practitioner experience and reality was an important feature of the conference and one that reflects the ethos of the Centre. Stands at the event included the Independent Police Complaints Commission, Oxford University Press, Police National Legal Database and the College of Policing.
 
Emma Williams, Deputy Director of the Canterbury Centre for Policing Research, said:

“It was great to see some people return from attending last year's conference and also to welcome some new faces. Last year's event was so successful, we were concerned we wouldn't be able to match it but the feedback on Twitter, in blogs and other social media has been fantastic from academics and practitioners alike. It was also a good opportunity to celebrate the first year anniversary of the CCPR – it has been an excellent year of developing relationships with forces and other universities, and we are very proud of the team’s progress to date.”

Second annual conference: Learning from Evidence: Mission Impossible?

Emma Williams, Deputy Director of the Canterbury Centre for Policing Research

Our second annual conference: Mission Impossible, was a sell out event. 120 people attended over 2 days and the range of speakers was impressive. Speakers included academics and practitioners who discussed the barriers and facilitators to change in policing - the mix between the two is important to us and seeing where the theory meets the reality of the police world was clear in many of the papers. Stands at the event included the IPCC, Oxford University Press, College of Policing and PNLD (Police National Legal Database). It was great to see some people return from attending last year's conference and also to welcome some new faces to the event. Last year's was so successful we were concerned we would be able to match it but the feedback on Twitter, in blogs and other social media has been fantastic from academics and practitioners alike. It was also a good opportunity to celebrate the first year anniversary of the Canterbury Centre For Policing Research (CCPR) - it is has been an excellent year of developing relationships with forces and other universities and we are very proud of the team’s progress to date. 

05.05.17

Intervention Initiative (Bystander) Pilot Evaluation Project

The Intervention Initiative Pilot Evaluation Project is now well underway led by Dr Sofia Graca, Rashid Aziz, Dr Demetris Hadjigeorgiou and Dr Dimitris Akrivos. A group of Level 4 Applied Criminology students completed a series of 8 sessions on domestic violence and sexual abuse on university campuses. The students also filled in two questionnaires, one before and one just after the programme, on its content and potential impact on them. Nearly 50 questionnaires were gathered in total. The data has been subject to a preliminary analysis and a report submitted to the Student Experience Department and the Expect Respect Delivery Group. This report will inform the decision to roll-out the programme to the university student population as a whole, and what format this will take.

Student feedback has been generally positive in relation to the programme and the participation on the research project itself. Students were happy to be able to contribute to university policy and gained a better understanding, early on in their studies, of what empirical research entails (even if only as participants). The second stage of the programme is now being prepared and it is expected that a series of follow-up interviews will be conducted.

In the meantime, the research team ‘took the pledge’ as part of the Expect Respect campaign, demonstrating their commitment to the project:

05.05.17

Publications announcements

Staff within the School of Criminal Justice & Computing have published the following work:            

Antoniou, A.K. and Akrivos, D. 'The Rise of Extreme Porn: Legal and Criminological Perspectives on Extreme Pornography in England and Wales'.  London: Palgrave. 

Hallenberg, K.M. & Cockcroft, T. (2017) ‘From Indifference to Hostility: Police Officers, Organisational Responses and the Symbolic Value of ‘In-Service’ Higher Education in Policing’,  Policing: a Journal of Policy and Practice. 

Hallenberg K.M. & Haddow, C. (2016) ‘Beyond Criminal Justice: Connecting Justice and Sustainability’, The Law Teacher, 50(3), pp. 352-370.
 
Qi, M. (2017) Facilitating visual surveillance with motion detections.  Concurrency and Computation: Practice and Experience 29(3)
 
Wood D., Cockcroft T., Tong S. & Bryant R. (2017) ‘The importance of context and cognitive agency in developing police knowledge: going beyond the police science discourse’ The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles, available on publish first.

17.05.17

Open day for Postgraduate and undergraduate police officer and staff hosted in London

Emma Williams – Deputy Director of CCPR, Richard Honess CCPR Doctoral candidate, Jenny Norman BSc Policing (in-service) Programme Director presenting at one of the information days for prospective students.

Potential students interested in any of our programmes should visit the following link:

• Postgraduate
• Undergraduate

17.07.17

Canterbury Centre for Policing Research attends policing research showcase

Earlier this month, colleagues from the Canterbury Centre for Policing Research (CCPR) presented their research posters to 70 middle to senior rank police officers at a research showcase hosted by the British Society of Criminology's Policing Network and the College of Policing.

The five research posters featured work by Professor Robin Bryant, Dr Qi Man, Dr Katja Hallenberg, Dr Katarina Mozova and Dr Steve Tong and covered a range of topics including intelligent detection for cyber forensics, public understanding of counter terrorism strategies and risk management in relation to firearms licensing.

Steve Tong, Director of the CCPR, said:

“This is the first time Christ Church has attend this showcase event. There was a great deal of interest in our work and the opportunity to extend some of our research to other areas of the country. This has been a very worthwhile event and gave us a great opportunity to promote the work the CCPR has been doing in its first 12 months."

23.05.17

Canterbury Centre for Policing Research Mental Health Round Table

On 23rd May the Canterbury Centre for Policing Research (CCPR) in partnership with the England Centre for Practice Development (ECPD) hosted a round table event focusing on Mental Health. On the panel were Michael Brown, Mental Health Coordinator (College of Policing), Matthew Scott, Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent and Madeleine McGivern, Head of Workplace Wellbeing Programmes (Mind).  48 people attended including CCCU staff and students, members of the police and NHS staff.

Each speaker gave a 15 minute presentation and then questions were taken from the audience chaired by Carolyn Jackson, Director of the England Centre for Practice Development. 

The mental health round table debate at CCPR in May was excellent. All the speakers spoke eloquently and passionately about their subject areas and the event struck a good balance between the impact on the police of dealing with individuals who suffer from mental ill health, the rise of stress and mental health issues amongst officers, the growing responsibility being placed on the police to deal with these issues and the Kent PCC's response outlining how these factors are being addressed locally. The audience was engaged and asked some great questions. We would have liked to have had more time for discussion. A very successful first round table debate for the centre.”

04.04.17

School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing celebrates 10-year partnership with the Police Academy of the Netherlands

The School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing celebrated the 10th anniversary of its partnership with the Police Academy of the Netherlands with a symposium on the theme of ‘the reflective practitioner’. The symposium was hosted by the Police Academy in Warnsveld, and staff, students, and alumni from both institutions participated.

The symposium included a lively discussion on the links between academic and professional practice, what this means for the education of police officers, and how it is reflected in the officers’ day-to-day jobs. It also gave both institutions the opportunity to reaffirm their desire to maintain their enduring and successful partnership, and to continue to collaborate in the development of ground-breaking initiatives in policing, police education and research.     

Dr Sofia Graca, Programme Director for the MSc in Policing, said:

“It was a very successful event that generated a lot of insightful discussion on the relationship between academia and professionals in the police forces.”

30.04.17

Dogs in Courtrooms

Katarina Mozova and Liz Spruin, Senior Lecturer from the School of Psychology, Politics and Sociology visited Vancouver and Seattle earlier this month as part of the ongoing Dogs in the Courtroom project. They met representatives from the Courthouse Dogs Foundation and the Vancouver Police Department as well as Child Advocacy Centres and took part in puppy training classes. Trainers they met are keen to continue to work with the project by bringing the first courthouse over to the UK and utilise it in an applied setting, for research and for University students.

From left, you can see Raman Radhawa, Crisis Intervention Caseworker, Sue B., Crisis Intervention Caseworker, Lucca, the dog, Dr Liz Spruin from CCCU Psychology, Vancouver PD Chief Adam Palmer, Celeste Walsen, Executive Director of Courthouse Dogs Foundation, Ellen O'Neill-Stephens, founder of Courthouse Dogs Foundation, and Dr Katarina Mozova.

Katarina, Liz and Poppy have appeared on ITV recently.  Watch the interview here.

27.03.17

Dr Stephen Tong visits Bridgewater State University to deliver lectures and discuss future collaboration

Dr Stephen Tong was invited to deliver lectures at Bridgewater State University, Massachusetts and discuss future collaborations between the two universities.

Initial discussions about future collaboration began following a visit to Christ Church last year by students of Bridgewater State University, led by Dr Khadija Monk and Dr Wendy Wright.

Steve delivered two lectures: the first gave an overview of British policing and criminal justice and the second focused on the ‘art, craft and science of Investigation’. During the visit, Steve met with faculty staff to discuss collaboration opportunities, including staff/student exchanges and working together on research projects.

Steve said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity to give Christ Church and Bridgewater State University staff and students the chance to gain a more international perspective.”

Stephen Lamyman, Assistant Director, International Partnership and Development Office, said:

“Partnership development with international higher education providers play a key role in assisting the institution in meeting its strategic mobility target. Bridgewater State University and Canterbury Christ Church University share many academic opportunities and the discussions and developments that are currently taking place will provide ideal, sustainable and innovative exchange models for current and future students.”

13.02.17

Sofia Graca – Expert Comment: Domestic incident or everyone’s business?

Dr Sofia Graca explores the implications of a recent change in law in Russia on domestic violence.  Find out more.

21.02.17

Graham Hooper – Expert Comment: Are Spit Hoods too oppressive to be legitimate in a country like ours? 

Graham Hooper, Principal Lecturer in the School of Law, Criminal Justice and Policing, challenges the increasing number of police forces in the UK calling for the use of spit hoods.  Find out more.

22.02.17

Sofia Graca – Expert Comment: Plans for a new law on domestic violence – a possible vacuous effort?

Dr Sofia Graca, Senior Lecturer in the School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing, reflects on the Government’s plans to create a new law on domestic abuse.  Find out more.

BBC Article - Emma Williams comments on the introduction of policing degrees

Emma Williams comments on policing degrees in response to changes introduced by the College of Policing as part of their professionalisation agenda.

For more information  click here.

19.12.16

Steve Tong and Emma Williams – Expert Comment: Police education proposals provide exciting opportunities

Dr Steve Tong and Emma Williams from the Canterbury Centre for Policing Research (CCPR) at Canterbury Christ Church University, comment on the recent proposals for police education from the College of Policing.  Find out more here.

CCPR staff present papers at CEPOL Research and Science Conference

Sofia Graca, Emma Williams, Jenny Norman and Steve Tong all presented papers at the CEPOL Research and Science Conference themed ‘Global Trends in Law Enforcement Training and Education at CEPOL HQ in Budapest Hungry. The presentations from the team ranged from police postgraduate education learning from mistakes through to sustainable approaches to professionalization. The presentations can be found on the CEPOL website   click here.

Steve Tong said ‘It was my first time at the conference. It was great to be able to see presentations from different academic and police officers from different jurisdictions as well as presenting our own papers. Conferences like this are really important to all us to network with potential international partners and exchange ideas with academics and practitioners from different jurisdictions.’

Dr Dominic Wood wins award for best ‘Sole authored paper’ from the BSC Policing network.

Dr Demetris Hadjigeorgiou, Lecturer in Applied Criminology, calls for more public debate and understanding on this widespread crime. For more information   click here.

Dr Paul Swallow gives evidence at the Lord’s EU Home Affairs Committee on ‘Brexit: future UK-EU security and policing co-operation’

The Sub-Committee is launching a short inquiry into police and security co-operation between the UK and EU following a UK exit from the EU. The Committee is looking specifically at the current forms of co-operation that the UK may wish to maintain post-Brexit and the practicalities of doing so, with a view to making recommendations to the Government. The Committee was taking evidence on Wednesday 14th September 2016 from various invited experts in the field. See   coverage of the event including Dr Paul Swallow’s contribution.

CCPR Policing lecture series - Friday night lecture with Dr Tom Cockcroft

Dr Tom Cockcroft delivered the first lecture of the CCPR lecture series entitled ‘20th Century blues: Policing, culture and irrelevance?

First policing study weekend of the academic year

New and current students gathered in Canterbury on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th September for the first study weekend of the academic year. Students on the BSc Policing (In-service), MA Policing & Criminal Justice, MSc Policing by Research and the Phd programmes were in attedance.

International study week

The international study week included officers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Thailand and the Netherlands. The study week celebrated the first visit of students studying at Charles Sturt University in Australia and 10 years of the partnership between the School of Law, Criminal Justice & Computing and the Police Academy of The Netherlands.

Research Centre wins College of Policing funding bid

The College of Policing opened funding to support Police Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF) in key areas of development. The CCPR won funding for one key area focusing on the development of a national process for the recognition of prior learning and experience of existing officers and police staff, specifically investigators and call handlers. The funding of £26000 is led by Emma Williams and supported by Dr Steve Tong and other members of the centre.

Dr Hadjigeorgiou, comments on BBC Radio Kent in relation to human trafficking to the UK

Dr Demetris Hadjigeorgiou, Lecturer in Applied Criminology, spoke on BBC Radio Kent’s Breakfast programme on 22.08.16 with regards to   human trafficking into the UK (2hrs 8mins 40secs).

Professor Robin Bryant and Dr Rob Heaton publish in the Police Professional

Professor Robin Bryant and Dr Rob Heaton appear in the main feature of the 519 August 18, 2016 edition of Police Professional   debating the level of improvement possible from evidence-based policing.    

Emma Williams published Policing Insight Blog ‘Police Now and beyond? First thoughts on graduate training in action’

Police Now, the Graduate Leadership Development Programme for the police, has been controversial in some quarters.   Emma Williams lays out her thoughts after spending a day with the scheme, and argues that talented serving officers also need access to high quality training (03.08.2016).

Dr Paul Swallow in The Express newspaper comments on the terror attack in a church in Rouen, France

Dr Paul Swallow, Senior Lecturer in the School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing, commented in an article in   The Express on the terror attack in a church in Rouen, France, earlier this week (27.07.16).

CCPR Director visits New Scotland Yard to speak to the Metropolitan Black Police Association (MetBPA)

Dr Steve Tong was invited by the Metropolitan Black Police Association (MetBPA) to speak at New Scotland Yard on Thursday 21st July. Dr Tong’s presentation was entitled ‘Learning from Mistakes? Policing Under Siege:  An examination of high profile criticisms of policing and potential responses’. The talk generated a wide range of questions and discussion from the development of qualifications within the police, increasing internal discussion and review through to concerns about extreme right wing groups.

Dr Paul Swallow interviewed by Radio five Live discussing policing and counter-terrorism

Dr Paul Swallow, Senior Lecturer in Policing, was interviewed on BBC Radio Five Live Breakfast discussing policing and counter-terrorism in France after the tragic events in Nice on Bastille Day.   Listen to the interview (1hr 21min). (15.07.16)

Northumbria Police lectures

Emma Williams visited Northumbria Police with Dr Ian Hesketh from the College of Policing and delivered a joint presentation on organisational justice, well-being and the link to leadership. This was part of their talent management process for chief inspector Lee Gosling who is leading on leadership and professional development in the force.

MSc student Gareth Stubbs receives first evidence based policing award

Gareth Stubbs is awarded the first Evidence Based Policing Award from UCLAN on behalf on Lancashire Constabulary for his M  Sc thesis on the use of targets and BME recruitment (21st June).

Dr Elaine Brown – Expert Comment - Could a change in police tactics be causing problems at Euro 2016?

Dr Elaine Brown, School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing,   asks if a change in focus by French Police is causing order problems (16.06.16)

Dr Elaine Brown – comments on French Police preparation for the Euros

Dr Elaine Brown, School of Law, commented in an article   discussing whether French police were prepared for the rioting at the Euros 2016. The article appeared on MSN and France 24 this week (13.06.2016).

Dr Elaine Brown – Expert Comment - Policing Euro 2016: could heightened security provoke fan unrest

Dr Elaine Brown from the School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing,   explains how high profile security at Euro 2016 risks rising the tension with fans (09.06.2016)

Dr Paul Swallow – Speaks on BBC Radio 5 counter terrorism plans in France

Dr Paul Swallow, School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing, spoke on BBC Radio 5’s Phil Williams show last night on the   counter terrorism plans ahead of the UEFA Championship in France (06.06.16).

Dr Fahid Qurashi - Expert Comment - Sadiq Khan becomes Mayor of London in an election marred by Islamophobia

Dr Fahid Qurashi, Lecturer in Criminology,   reflects upon the recent election campaigns run by the candidates for London Mayor.

Bridgewater State University, (MA, USA) visit

Staff and students from Bridgewater State University visit the School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing (19.05.16).

 Last month, the University’s School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing, hosted a visit by staff and students from Bridgewater State University, Massachusetts, United States of America. The visit was the first time the universities have linked together.

The trip was led by Dr Khadija Monk and Dr Wendy Wright from Bridgewater State University and included visits to London, criminal justice services and our School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing.

Dr Steve Tong, Director of the Canterbury Centre for Policing Research and Senior Lecturer, Dr Paul Swallow, delivered lectures on police use of intelligence, miscarriages of justice and European policing. Students from Bridgewater engaged in interesting debates about the differences and similarities between the criminal justice system in United Kingdom and the United States of America.

MSc Policing Student Ed Cudmore published in Policing Insight – ‘Police humour: Stress relief or unethical behaviour?’

 MSc Policing student Ed Cudmore had a piece included on Policing Insight this week about his study looking at   the use of humour in policing and what he found from his library search and what he intends to do to add to this knowledge (09.05.16).

Dr Stephen Tong Interviewed by BBC Radio Kent about the Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections

Dr Steve Tong was interviewed on BBC Radio Kent’s Lembit Opik show this morning discussing the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner after yesterday’s local elections. Dr Tong discussed the difficulties that the candidates face with regards to campaigning and why voters feel disengaged.   Listen to the interview (1hr 13mins). (06.05.16)

CCCU debate with five of the Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidates covered in the Kent on Sunday

The Kent on Sunday newspaper dedicated three pages to the Meet the PCC Candidates event last week, as well as the front cover. The article focuses on one of the questions raised by a member of the audience who asked the candidates what they would do, if elected as PCC, to manage Operation Stack.   Read the article on the Kent on Sunday e-edition (01.05.16).

Dr Stephen Tong - Expert Comment - Can the Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections live up to the democratic aspirations originally intended?

The Police and Crime Commissioner elections are on the horizon, and with the previous election turn out recorded as 15%, Dr Steve Tong, Director of Policing and Criminal Justice at Canterbury Christ Church University, explores   how democratic the elections really are (26.04.16).

Dr Fahid Qurashi interviewed by Julia George on BBC Radio Kent about Islamophobia and radicalisation

Dr Fahid Qurashi was interviewed on BBC Radio Kent’s mid-morning programme with Julia George this week about Islamophobia and radicalisation. The interview was part of a feature looking at issues surrounding migrants entering Kent via France (24.03.16).

Dr Qurashi’s interview on BBC Radio Kent (1hr 30mins).

Congratulations to Vincent Leonard on passing his PhD

Vincent Leonard has become the first PhD completion in the School of Law, Criminal Justice & Computing. Vincent was supervised by Professor Robin Bryant the title of his thesis was ‘Voices from the Shadows: The Exercise of Judgment by Police Firearms Officers in the United Kingdom.’ Congratulations Vincent!

Students from BSc, MA and MSc programmes present to AC Helen King at New Scotland Yard

Emma Williams organised an event with Helen King at NSY. Students across all three programmes presented their own research / dissertation topics to AC King, discussed the barriers to using research and education and solutions to embedding their knowledge. A Commissioners 100 event was organised shortly afterwards at NSY on police well-being - CCCU students and staff played a significant role. The event was organised by one of the second year BSc students, Luke Mooney (an officer from the MPS).

Dr Fahid Qurashi - Expert Comment - The Prevent Strategy is fuelling Islamophobia in Britain

Dr. Fahid Qurashi, Lecturer in the School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing, explores the issues around the   Government’s Prevent strategy and the impact it has on UK schools (08.04.16).

Dr Fahid Qurashi – published in the Guardian - Prevent gives people permission to hate Muslims - it has no place in schools

Teachers are right to reject a counter-radicalisation strategy that frames terrorism as a Muslim problem and demonises an entire community (04.04.16).

Dr Paul Swallow interviewed by BBC Radio 5 Live in relation to the attacks at Brussels airport

Dr Paul Swallow featured on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Phil Williams show giving his interpretation on yesterday’s attacks in Belgium at Brussels Zaventem airport and the Maelbeek metro station (22.03.16).

Listen back to the programme on BBC i-Player (1hr 22min 20secs).

Dr Rob Heaton and Dr Steve Tong publish Evidence-Based Policing’ article in Policing: A Journal for Policy and Practice

Heaton. R & Tong, S (2016) ‘Evidence-Based Policing: From Effectiveness to Cost-Effectiveness’ in Policing: A Journal for Policy and Practice, Volume 10   Issue 1   March 2016, pp. 60-70

ABSTRACT: Recent years have seen the development of quantitative studies into policing effectiveness, in particular, the ‘evidence based policing’ movement which has encouraged the use of randomized control trials in the UK and the USA. Despite their significance, such studies remain narrowly based in terms of their take-up by academic institutions and police forces.

This article charts the rise of evidence-based policing and considers whether it could be taken a step further, by developing consideration of police effectiveness into that of cost-effectiveness. The use of ‘Quality Adjusted Life Years’ (QALY) methodology in the UK in the arena of drugs approval for use by the National Health Service, is considered as a model which might be transferable to policing. It is concluded that there are substantial similarities. Providing that the improvements sought are realistic, there is real potential for the cost-effectiveness of policing methods to be assessed.

Emma Williams publishes in Policing Insight on policing degrees and police professionalization

Senior Lecturer in the School of Law, Criminal Justice and Computing, Emma Williams, has written an opinion piece for the website Policinginsight.com. Her article, ‘  Professionalising the police: contradictions, paradoxes and suppositions’, considers how recent events have re-energised the ‘degree-gate’ debate (25/01/16)