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This paper reports the results of a systematic review of the existing research evidence on police recruit training. The systematic search produced a large number of studies, which are presented here in the form of a map of the landscape of police recruit training literature. Our search strategy included published and grey literature in databases and libraries, using electronic and hand searching. Search terms included variations of 'police recruit training'. Initial searches produced, nearly 20,000 studies, which were screened, shortlisted, coded and ultimately 109 studies met our inclusion criteria. Six broad themes and subthemes emerged from a thematic analyses of the 109 studies. The two most prolific themes focused on 'examining academic and/or field training' and 'examining part of a programme', each containing 36 studies. Most of the studies were based in the USA, (N=67). Grey literature such as dissertations, theses, and reports made up nearly half of all included studies (N=51) and published journal articles making up the bulk of the remaining studies (N=50). Quality assessment of the studies revealed a wide variation in the nature and quality of studies: 56 studies (50%) used a quantitative design, 36 studies (33%) adopted mixed methods, and 19 studies (17%) employed a qualitative approach. The 109 studies were double-blind quality appraised using recognised quality appraisal tools. Overall the strength of the evidence was fragile; only 13 studies (12%) were of a 'strong' quality, 55 studies (50%) were 'weak', and the rest (41, i.e. 38%) were of 'moderate' quality. The report concludes with recommendations for guiding future research in police recruit training.

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Policing in the UK is currently undergoing changes to the training and attained qualifications of entry level police officers. The College of Policing is in the process of developing three entry routes into the profession, one of which is a graduate conversion course for those new recruits who hold, at a minimum, a Bachelor's degree. The objective of this research was to gather evidence on existing conversion courses to inform the development of this route. A rapid evidence assessment was undertaken to a narrative synthesis of the literature on graduate conversion courses in other professions. Fifty-one studies were identified and coded. Four main themes emerged from the available evidence as being central. These themes-learning styles, translating theory into practice, teaching methods and assessment were cross cut by pedagogical sub-themes of collaborative learning, and reflective practice. Policy and practice implications for a policing conversion course are drawn out to guide development and delivery of police training and education in the 21 st century.

Purpose Neighbourhood policing is central to supporting public confidence in England and Wales. However, the delivery of neighbourhood policing models is increasingly fragmented and under pressure from austerity measures and from changes to demand and priorities. This research aims to understand the current state of neighbourhood policing in the county of “Rackhamshire” and its ability to support public confidence. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted six focus groups, three with officers who were part of Community Policing Teams (CPTs) and three with members of the community who were actively engaged with community policing and local concerns. These were supplemented by two interviews with senior officers (35 participants in total). Findings Austerity-driven changes to policing in Rackhamshire have damaged the capacities of CPTs and residents have begun to lose confidence in the ability of the police to respond to their fears. The authors argue that reforms intended to make policing more efficient and effective appear to have the opposite effect on community policing, by preventing it from working in a way that can support public confidence and that this could have longer-term consequences. Originality/value The effects of austerity on the mechanisms by which neighbourhood policing supports confidence have been relatively neglected. By exploring the state of these mechanisms in one English constabulary, this research has exposed serious weaknesses in the way that community policing is able to support public confidence and suggests practical operational responses. In light of these findings, this study argues for the urgent reinstatement of earlier models of neighbourhood policing.