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13 November 2006

Higher education to help police with their enquiries

A consortium of 13 Scottish higher education institutions (HEIs) has netted cash of more than £2.1 million to carry out research relevant to the needs of Scotland's police forces. The consortium has been offered the financial reward for their research proposal from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS).

In addition to the Council's grant of £1.1 million and £1 million from ACPOS, the consortium will top this up with their contribution of £6.5 million. The collaboration of 13 HEIs, lead by the University of Dundee, will use the cash to set up the Scottish Institute for Policing Research.

The Institute's aims are to strengthen the evidence base on which police policy, practice, and training are developed; build policing research capacity in Scottish HEIs; and encourage and help the development of national and international links with other researchers, policy makers and practitioners involved in policing research.

The Institute's research will focus on three areas:

  • police-community relations - researchers will look at the relationships between the police and their communities including the policing of vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations, public order and conflict situations, as well as policing styles and consultation with the community;
  • evidence and investigation - this research will look at the role of police in the collection, analysis and effective use of intelligence and evidence in the investigation of crime and major incidents; and
  • police organisation - research in this area will centre on issues of management, policy, leadership, force structure and culture, and assess different approaches to policing and the relationships between police forces and other organisations.

SFC Chief Executive, Roger McClure said: "Everybody would like to see crime reduced, victims protected and criminals caught. I am delighted that the unique collaboration brings together for the first time the experience of Scotland's universities and its police."

Peter Wilson, Chief Constable of Fife Constabulary said, "The creation of the Scottish Institute for Policing Research is a major milestone for policing in Scotland. For the first time, through an imaginative collaborative effort with Scotland's world class universities, we will create an opportunity for the development of evidence-based analysis of what works in policing."

"While police practice and procedure has evolved over time, the objective assessment of our approach will be tested at an international level, leading to solid benchmarking and more effective use of resources. Our vision is to further the delivery of the highest standard of policing service for the people of Scotland."

Nick Fyfe, Director of the Scottish Institute for Policing Research and Professor in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Dundee, added: "The establishment of the Institute is a very important, exciting and timely development. Building on the wide-ranging expertise that exists within the consortium of 13 HEIs, the Institute will carry out high quality, independent research of relevance to the Scottish police service and which will enhance the international reputation and recognition of policing research in Scotland."

"By providing a single focus for the research community and the Scottish police service, the Institute will also facilitate the efficient and effective transfer of knowledge that is so important to developing sound, evidence-based policing policy and practice. At a time when issues of risk and security have never been so prominent and policing itself is undergoing significant change, the strategic need for research that addresses the complex issues and challenges that the police face has never been greater."

For further information from SFC, please contact Elizabeth Bell, Communications Officer, Tel: 0131 313 6560, email: ebell@sfc.ac.uk

For further information from ACPOS, please contact Stuart Wilson
Communications Manager, Tel: 0141 532 6302,
email: acposcommunications@strathclyde.pnn.police.uk

For further information from the Scottish Institute for Policing Research, please contact Roddy Isles, Head of Press, University of Dundee, Tel: 01382 384910, email: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk

Notes to editors:

  • the consortium of HEIs involved in the Institute are: the Universities of Dundee, Aberdeen, Abertay, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Paisley, St Andrews, Stirling, Strathclyde, and Glasgow Caledonian University, Robert Gordon University, Napier University, Bell College. Attached in Annex A is an extract from the Institute's strategic planning explaining in greater detail the reason for its creation;
  • the funding will be spread over a four-year period, and will come from the Council's Strategic Research Development Grant (SRDG). The purpose of the SRDG is to strengthen areas of academic research that are of importance to Scotland, but do not receive funding or major levels of funding; and create opportunities to bring together existing strengths to continue to improve research quality and resources. SFC will administer the funding from ACPOS;
  • the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council (SFC) is a non-departmental public body responsible to - but operating at arm's length from - the Scottish Executive. It distributes more than £1.5 billion of public funds annually on behalf of the Scottish Executive;
  • the Council provides financial support for learning and teaching, and research and associated activities in Scotland's 20 higher education institutions (HEIs). As well as providing financial support for learning and teaching in Scotland's 43 further education (FE) colleges, the Council provides resources to enable colleges to offer bursaries to students on non-advanced courses; and
  • the Council is responsible for working with Scotland's colleges and universities to develop strategies in support of ministerial priorities and securing coherent, high quality provision of further and higher education and supporting the undertaking of research. In addition, SFC has a statutory function to provide Scottish Ministers with advice and information on matters relating to further and higher education. It is also responsible for ensuring that the quality of further and higher education provision is assessed and enhanced, and is required to monitor the financial health of both sectors.

For further information please visit our web site at www.sfc.ac.uk

Annex A