In the King’s Speech, we saw announcements of long-term strategies to meet deficits in healthcare training, much-needed investment in mental health services and encouragement in engagement in innovative technologies, but what about policing and public safety?
Given a significant later focus on crime, it might be seen as odd that similar measures were not announced for the Criminal Justice System in the King’s Speech.
Digital and online crime is considered a critical threat
Viewing recent, often critical, reports by HMICFRS – Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, a reader would be left with an insight into modern priorities in policing.
Digital and online crime is considered a critical threat, child protection the highest of priorities, and the point at which they meet particularly so. That reader would also find criticism of failures to meet that challenge.
HMICFRS have previously highlighted a challenge in the retention of police officers and staff with specialist skills in investigating cybercrime. A continual churn of recruitment generates organizational inefficiencies, in turn resulting in growing backlogs of digital devices requiring forensic analysis.
However, on a human level, we might have some sympathy for those in a cost-of-living crisis choosing to take better-paid roles outside of policing.
5.1% increase in overall police officer numbers in 2023
Within the background briefing notes published for today’s King’s Speech, the government is quick to highlight a 5.1% increase in overall police officer numbers in 2023 over the previous twelve-month period. Cynically, we may comment on the previous drop in numbers and question how much the population has grown in the period since. However, such an approach misses a more fundamental question.
It is not the raw numbers of personnel involved in policing that matters. What should be considered is the amount of demand compared to the capability, capacity and efficiency of policing. Does policing have the resources and skills required to meet that demand?
Digitally-enabled crimes
To pick up on just one issue, there is a great tide of child abuse material easily available on the web. We currently sit at a point of great change for this crime type, with AI-generated abuse material and interactive VR scenarios being crafted by offenders. This poses multiple questions to modern policing, which requires technical understanding and professional judgment to navigate.
The development of further capability, updated legislation and technology to detect the sharing of such material can be of great value. However, that will not increase the number of investigators available to deal with these abuse images and videos once we become aware of them.
This is but one of many digitally-enabled crimes the proposed changes to the Investigatory Powers Act would impact. Dedicated and experienced investigators across the UK work hard to challenge this and other crimes, supported by digital forensics officers with hard-earned technical skills and knowledge. Their ranks are in much need of bolstering, but a raw recruit fresh on the job will not be able to fill that gap. Effective skill development and the retention of experience still remain critical.
Government statistics indicate that over a third of serving police officers have less than five years of service. While this fact may be a political football, any government in power will need to deal with the consequences of a police force with less professional experience than in previous times.
Granting new powers or placing new requirements for data to be made available by Internet Service Providers and Social Media platforms may form part of a response. However, it does not develop investigators skilled in dealing with that data.
Future planning for policing
Future planning for policing in the UK must include a plan to address skills gaps and better retain officers. Achieving the innovation and enterprise required in policing will require an education revolution. The modern police force must be a learning organization with a proactive rather than reactive approach to the world.
Taking a solution-oriented approach, an ideal world would see a dynamic policing workforce and self-generating innovative solutions to prevent digital harm. This well-trained, motivated and equipped cohort would be capable of critically assessing threats. A focus would be placed on anticipating future issues and prevention rather than a sticking plaster approach long after the threat has emerged.
The PIEL centre at the University of East London stands ready to help fill the gaps between the lines of the King’s speech.
This piece was written and provided by Alex Paradise BSc (Hons), PgCert, MSc, FRSA, FHEA, Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice, Programme Leader for BA(Hons) Criminology and Psychology, Royal Docks School of Business and Law.
