Innovative approaches to embedding evidence-based policing, supporting police learning and continuing professional development: Reflections from a police–academic partnership

Richards, Jenny and Hammond, Laura (2025) Innovative approaches to embedding evidence-based policing, supporting police learning and continuing professional development: Reflections from a police–academic partnership. International Journal of Police Science & Management. ISSN 1461-3557

Preview

Text Accepted_Manuscript_Richards_Hammond_25.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (342kB)

Abstract

The police education and learning framework in England and Wales has changed dramatically over the past decade, with little empirical evidence available to understand how police officers learn and what pedagogies are most effective. This article provides a discussion on the use of innovative approaches in police learning, specifically relating to evidence-based policing (EBP), using methods designed to enhance engagement with EBP among in-service officers and staff. It offers a reflection on activities undertaken between 2017 and 2021 in one UK police force, facilitated by a police–academic partnership with a local university. The successful formation of an EBP community of practice allowed us to offer a series of fun and engaging learning opportunities for in-service staff and officers. This enabled them to both share and develop their knowledge and to build networks to facilitate peer-to-peer support in understanding and implementing evidence-based practices. The approach appears to have removed some of the barriers to EBP noted previously in the literature, enabling officers and staff to engage more effectively with academics, and with opportunities for development, and to better appreciate the value of research-informed approaches to enhancing policing practices. This article also makes recommendations for further research to explore ‘what works’ in relation to police learning, building an evidence base to inform the development of more effective learning strategies and programmes for use with new and in-service officers.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1177/14613557251395972
Dates:	Date Event 21 August 2025 Accepted 24 November 2025 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Evidence based policing, police learning, learning pedagogy, police-academic partnerships, policing, police education
Subjects:	CAH04 - psychology > CAH04-01 - psychology > CAH04-01-01 - psychology (non-specific)
Divisions:	Life and Health Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	18 Dec 2025 16:19
Last Modified:	18 Dec 2025 16:37
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16783

Actions (login required)

View Item