Thinking About Police Crisis and Reform

The adoption of evidence-based policing: the pivotal role of first-line police leaders across England and Wales

“…Researchers in the United States identify how police leaders are perceived to be “effective” when they demonstrate competence in making decisions, being able to make decisions that result in the achievement of their tasks and goals (Schafer, 2008, 2010; Andreescu and Vito, 2010). Schafer et al . (2019) report how in the United States there is often limited time available for leaders to engage in developing their understanding and application of research informing their actions.…”

“…(2016) suggest that the embedding of education within policing enables future leaders to develop and utilise transferrable cognitive ability and high-level critical thinking skills to deal with complex problems and identify innovative solutions, with such leadership development programmes having positive workplace impacts (Ordon et al ., 2019). Schafer et al . (2019) extol the value and importance of timely and locally delivered professional development to team leaders.…”

“…Leaders across a range of policing levels often have limited time available (Fleming and Rhodes, 2018; Schafer et al ., 2019); however, their ability to access and reflect upon others research can be valuable in informing decisions. Adopting such an approach enables new and existing leaders to innovate and seek solutions to complex problems (Herrington and Colvin, 2016); however, this does not come without challenges of successful implementation, but the approach should be viewed as an underpinning philosophy rather than a hard tactic to be used on every occasion (Pepper et al ., 2020).…”