Developing and Maintaining Police-Researcher Partnerships to Facilitate Research Use

Abstract

Has research made a difference to criminal justice practices and policies? Evidence-based crime policy is not just about rigorously generating a robust supply of rigorous research to find out "what works" in terms of justice interventions or "what explains" crime or offending. Evidence-based crime policy means that this supply should be attuned to the demand for research, and that research must be converted to meaningful forms and implemented with fidelity in order for practice to be receptive to science. But how does this actually happen?An important concept in the field of evidence-based crime policy is translational criminology, or how, why, whether, and under what conditions research is converted to, and used, in practice. This Springer Brief series on translational criminology brings to both the academe and criminal justice world examples of how research becomes practice and policy, and whether research has made an impact. Each brief is written by top scholars and/or practitioners in the field who describe specific examples of how a body of research became practice (or didn't) and the lessons learned from the endeavor.More information about this series at

The role of people in information-sharing: perceptions from an analytic unit of a regional fusion center

“…This could potentially be achieved through a FLO program or by conducting a formal assessment on a regularly scheduled basis to ensure analytic products are continuing to meet the needs of end-users. 37 This approach is consistent with the line of evidence coming from the police-researcher partnership studies that indicate the importance of personal relationships to facilitate effective partnerships for research (Rojek et al, 2015).…”

Fragile alliances: culture, funding and sustainability in police–academic partnerships

“…Indeed, reflecting on their experiences as observers on police car ride-alongs during the 1960s, Reiss and Skolnick recall how the police officers they interacted with were so sensitive to any potential exposure of wrong-doing that they were never invited back (McEwan 2004: 14). When examples of genuine partnership working did materialise during this period -such as through the initiatives of August Vollmer, Police Chief of Berkeley, California, who sought to enhance the professionalism of his officers by linking them up with academics based at the University of California -they are framed as the exception rather than the norm (Rojek et al 2015).…”

“…The value placed on such reforms has moved at different speeds in different countries, however, with only some requiring police officers to engage with higher education (itself likely to impart more favourable attitudes towards research). In the US, for example, only 1% of law enforcement agencies require new recruits to have university degrees, whereas in Norway all police officers must be educated to degree level (Rojek et al 2015). It is notable that this process again replicates elements of the health model where practitioners (nurses and doctors) are required to have university qualifications -a process which helps to embed practitioner-academic partnerships (Beal 2012).…”

“…In an ideal world, police officers would like academics to produce short outputs with clear conclusions supported by unambiguous evidence which can be operationalised with immediate effect -that is, 'something they can use to drive policy in a practical way and evidence-based data that can inform practice' (Fleming 2010: 142). While it may well be possible for academics to write in this format, such outputs tend not to be highly valued within their professional environment, which prioritises theoretically informed, empirical narratives of 8,000-10,000 words, littered with caveats, extensively referenced and often written in esoteric prose (Buerger 2010;Lum et al 2012;Rojek et al 2015). While more emphasis is gradually being placed on writing practitioner-friendly outputs in the academy -especially through the 'impact' agenda -the rewards systems is still far from being aligned with police needs.…”

Expertise in Law Enforcement

“…Although expertise researchers may be enthusiastic about conducting research in law enforcement, police leaders and operational personnel may be less enthusiastic about collaborating with researchers (e.g., Cockbain & Knutsson, 2014;Cordner & White, 2010;Fyfe & Wilson, 2012;Murji, 2010;Rojek, Martin, & Alpert, 2014). For example, law enforcement agencies may be concerned that researchers will be critical and try to portray police in a negative light (e.g., racially biased, prone to aggression).…”