A new guidebook on intelligence-led policing was co-authored by a University of Portsmouth criminal investigation lecturer and a team of international experts.
Dr Adrian James spoke at the book’s launch event last week in Vienna at the headquarters of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the world’s largest security-oriented intergovernmental organisation, which commissioned the book.
He said: “This guidebook is an international collaboration, which will be translated into many languages around the world. It’s significant because it synthesises best practice and scholarly research to provide 57 OSCE participating states with the tools they need to professionalise, enhance their quality and effectiveness, and better manage their resources.
Intelligence-led policing is a modern law enforcement model aimed at facilitating the prevention, reduction and disruption of crime through proactive and forward-looking police management, and operational enforcement. Information analysis and assessments results are used as a basis for informed and evidence-based planning, decision-making and resource allocation.
The publication of this guidebook is an important milestone in the OSCE’s work on police-related activities.
Dr James from the University’s Institute of Criminal Justice Studies was a keynote speaker at the 2016 OSCE’s annual police experts meeting, which signalled the beginning of the project. He participated in the draft review workshop and provided his written input and academic view on the content throughout the drafting process. His research into intelligence-led policing features prominently in the guidebook.
The Guidebook on Intelligence-Led Policing details the managerial and analytical skills, data and information, and strategic planning and tasking mechanisms that are required to successfully implement this proactive policing approach.
It is a practical tool for policymakers, law enforcement decision-makers and criminal analysts, which also explains how intelligence-led policing complements traditional reactive policing models.
Ambassador Clemens Koja, Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council, representing the Austrian OSCE Chairmanship, said: “The publication of this guidebook is an important milestone in the OSCE’s work on police-related activities.
The development of this publication started more than a year ago, and over 30 experts from different backgrounds and with diverse views have participated in the drafting process. It is therefore very rewarding to hear that it has not only been positively accepted in general, but has a practical value for implementing intelligence-led policing and related support activities.
“It presents methodologies and tools that can serve to improve law enforcement, with the broader goal of maintaining security and stability in the OSCE area. Participating states and partners for co-operation are invited to make use of the guidebook and the numerous practical tools it presents.”
The OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Strategic Police Matters Unit developed this guidebook in response to the need for a common OSCE-wide notion of the Intelligence-Led Policing concept. The Unit’s mandate is to provide assistance to participating states in building the capacity of police, improving their professionalism and supporting police development and reform.
Ambassador Paul Bekkers, Director of the Office of the OSCE Secretary General, said: “The development of this publication started more than a year ago, and over 30 experts from different backgrounds and with diverse views have participated in the drafting process. It is therefore very rewarding to hear that it has not only been positively accepted in general, but has a practical value for implementing intelligence-led policing and related support activities.”