Collaborate to innovate policing
At the centre to KPAC’s mission is Knowledge co-production - the idea of academics, policing partners and stakeholders working together to shape priorities and activities - combining practical expertise, academic knowledge and stakeholder perspectives across a broad range of issues to address the full range of challenges faced by modern policing.
Our Visions
Reimagined 21st century policing
KPAC develops innovative research-informed solutions. Through its capacity to enhance training and education it will empower research-led approaches to policy and practice. The collaboration will assist police leaders to bring about effective organisational change and improve engagement with different and broad-ranging communities. In these ways, KPAC is built around a vision of public purpose and benefit.
KPAC provide a platform for policing leaders and other stakeholders to fully consider areas of concern, offering them critical friends and the space to think analytically and objectively about their core missions. As the Collaboration develops it will build capacity through drawing together partners to offer new and unique forms of professional development aimed at current and future leaders, supporting them in enhancing their strategic leadership skills and empowering effective operational practice, with a focus on the delivery of public value in a complex and changing world in 21st Century.
Better use of evidence
KPAC aspires to drive forward Evidence-Based Policing (EBP) by building an empirical foundation for effective operational practice. Making better use of research in policing is a key aspect of KPAC’s mission and by working together we will increase capacity for building world-class research and data analysis.
KPAC also provides an environment for the co-production of new research in areas identified as core priorities by our partners where we can work directly with them to mobilise inter-disciplinary expertise and test and evaluate the effectiveness of policing interventions. Our approach will also enable the deployment of leading-edge research to offer a fuller understanding of communities, the impact of the justice system, offending cultures and the experiences of victims. KPAC is not confined to the behavioural and social sciences but will also support technological innovation, for example in forensics, based on KPAC's wide-ranging research in the physical and natural sciences.
Developing the collaboration
When Universities and external partners work together well, the results are extraordinary. We believe we have the ingredients at Keele for an internationally significant policing collaboration, capable of achieving public value and benefits for all partners. KPAC is the vehicle for constructing this globally relevant value in the North West Midlands of the UK and we welcome the views and comments of other stakeholders to help to shape KPAC’s focus and thematic priorities. Policing partners and other stakeholders interested in joining KPAC will be invited to review a draft Memorandum of Understanding setting out the University’s commitment to its development in more detail.
Contact details
For further information please contact Debbie Tallent, KPAC Centre Manager, on 07807 907652 or email d.j.tallent@keele.ac.uk.