A new collaboration between universities, police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners has been officially launched.
De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) is one of seven universities to be part of the East Midlands Policing Academic Collaboration (EMPAC) which examines how police and academics can work more closely to shape the future of policing.
EMPAC has been awarded £862,620 from the College of Policing, the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Home Office Police Knowledge fund.
It will implement a regional programme of policing-related research and strengthen relationships across universities and police forces in the East Midlands. The funding has been received to improve understanding of crime and policing issues, develop new ways of policing and innovatively translate research findings into practice.
At the launch event were Dr Lee Hadlington, cyber psychologist, and Dr Helge Janicke, Head of DMU’s Cyber Security Centre.
Dr Janicke said: “Cyber space is a major enabler of serious organised crime and we are pleased to be working closely with the East Midlands police forces and Universities to develop scientific and technical expertise.”
Dr Hadlington said: “This is such a great initiative which firmly puts the East Midlands on the map in terms of ground-breaking collaborations.
“I am looking forward to getting involved with the police, academic colleagues and other organisations to explore fundamental research questions related to aspects of serious organised crime and the human aspect of cybersecurity.”
The collaboration will look at five key areas; local and community policing, serious and organised crime, organisational policing, victims, witnesses and public protection and operational policing. EMPAC will work closely with existing regional policing organisations and the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR).
Assistant Chief Constable Phil Kay at Leicestershire Police said; “This is a great opportunity for us to work in partnership with the regional universities and police forces.
The funding will enable us to undertake research and adopt evidence based practice so we can better protect communities.”
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Dave Hill, EMPAC Programme Director, explained: “The EMPAC collaboration will drive forward policing research and knowledge exchange across the region. Each of the organisations involved brings valuable expertise that will lead to improvements in policing practice. We are looking forward to continued work with other universities and forces in the region”.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Sir Clive Loader said: “This award of funding is a positive achievement for us that we are moving forward as a Force by working with other universities and forces gaining valuable input from all parties. This will enable us to put the funding we have received to its best use in order to better policing and reducing crime.”
Posted on Wednesday 9 March 2016