The Police Journal
| Date | 01 December 2006 |
| Published date | 01 December 2006 |
| DOI | 10.1350/pojo.2006.79.4.291 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
The
Police
Journal
COMMENTARY
One of the joys of editing The Police Journal is the opportunity
to explore the way that different academic disciplines approach
policing as an area for research and study. Another is the wide
range of topics covered by contributors to the Journal. Finally
there is the sheer delight of being able to read contributions from
both distinguished academics and practitioners at the beginning
of their academic careers. This edition of the Journal meets all of
the criteria described above.
Whilst many colleagues in England and Wales have been
arguing the pros and cons of rationalising the current 43 police
forces, Daniel Donnelly and Kenneth Scott, long-time contrib-
utors to Police Journal, advance a persuasive case for adopting a
national police service for Scotland, which currently comprises
eight forces.
This is followed by a thought-provoking piece from Ian
Waters. Whilst much has been written about intelligence-led
policing, Ian has shown how a UK national initiative to provide
a new non-custodial sentencing regime has led to more effective
intelligence sharing between police and multi-agency Youth
Offending Teams.
Enter Stephen Tong and Ben Bowling with a short but
nonetheless compelling insight into the art, craft and science of
detective work. Whilst providing a useful typology for exploring
the work of detectives, who can argue against their demand that
more work needs to be done to develop a theory of detective
practice?
Next up is Richard Heslop, a police practitioner undertaking
doctoral studies; he explores a subject which has long been an
interest of mine and advances an interesting argument. At a time
when much of police training is concerned with advancing
diversity in its many forms, Richard argues that the learning
theories underpinning police training methods in England and
Wales are themselves counter to diversity.
The Police Journal, Volume 79 (2006) 291
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