Fyfe, Nicholas R --- "Police research, evidence-based policing and police-academic partnerships in national jurisdictions" [2018] ELECD 1331; in den Boer, Monica (ed), "Comparative Policing from a Legal Perspective" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2018) 407

Book Title: Comparative Policing from a Legal Perspective

Editor(s): den Boer, Monica

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN: 9781785369100

Section: Chapter 20

Section Title: Police research, evidence-based policing and police-academic partnerships in national jurisdictions

Author(s): Fyfe, Nicholas R

Number of pages: 16

Abstract/Description:

This chapter explores the dynamic landscape of police-academic relations and the terrain of evidence-based policing. Instead of being shaped by police legislation, the field has emerged amidst debates about evidence-based policy making, the professionalization of police organizations, and the role universities and higher education institutions play in delivering public benefit through research. The chapter defines the term evidence-based policing and discusses the challenges of integrating research evidence into the policies and practices of police organizations. The author argues for a broad and pluralistic interpretation of evidence-based policing, which has been embraced by a range of police-academic partnerships, resulting in tailored dissemination and models of research-based practitioners, as well as embedded research practices. Levels of trust and cooperation between researchers and police organizations are on the rise and the need for academically trained police professionals is increasingly recognized. This happens in many jurisdictions internationally but challenges remain, particularly to ensure the routine use of research evidence to inform police decision-making.