SIPR's Strategic Research Priorities

2024 - 2027

Underlying the direction and achievement of SIPR’s aims are SIPR’s strategic research priorities. The following three themes have been developed in order to inform SIPR’s strategic direction and investment over the three years of Phase V of the consortium (covering 2024 – 2027). This will enable consolidation and enhancement of our activities, reach, and impact within policing research.

SIPR have been cognisant of the Strategic Police Priorities of Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (The Joint Strategy for Policing 2023-2026), and the Scottish Government (Strategic Police Priorities for Scotland) in the development of these priorities.

All SIPR activities and funding will contribute to these themes.

These themes were developed and revised with input from the SIPR Executive Committee. These themes are included in the SIPR Collaboration Agreement and were approved by the SIPR Board of Governance at the Annual Board of Governance meeting in August 2020.

Theme 1: Policing and Health, safety and well-being

Including for example:

  • Prevention;
  • Role, value, and impact of policing within the wider system;
  • Gender-Based Violence;
  • Mental health;
  • Substance use;
  • Public protection;
  • Missing persons;
  • Community Safety and harm reduction;
  • Local policing, visibility and accessibility;
  • Police-community relations; and
  • Public confidence and legitimacy.

Theme 2: Technology and digital policing

Including for example:

  • Frontline policing and technology;
  • Digital contact, online visibility & accessibility;
  • Big Data and predictive policing;
  • Surveillance;
  • Cyber enabled/ dependent crime;
  • Cyber security;
  • Public protection;
  • Maximising intelligence;
  • Digital Forensic investigation; and
  • Social, ethical and legal considerations.

Theme 3: Policing systems capability and resilience

Including for example:

  • Prevention;
  • Workforce;
  • Support for operational policing;
  • Retention/ recruitment;
  • Business change/ change management;
  • Culture, diversity and inclusion;
  • Staff well-being;
  • Leadership;
  • Training, learning and education;
  • Demand; and
  • Data.

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