The 5th Police Education Conference, November 10, 2023, promises to be a platform for leading police improvement. It will dissect the complexities surrounding Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), digitalization, and public protest, focusing on outcomes drawn from enlightening workshops held in October. These workshops brought together over 1,000 practitioners, academics, and professionals from more than 30 countries, making the conference an incubator of innovation and ideas to bolster law enforcement performance. The discussions uncovered critical themes that demand attention and action to maintain police legitimacy and public trust in an ever-evolving world.

The 5th Police Education Conference is set to be an exciting event in the realm of policing. It brings to the forefront the critical themes of Violence Against Women and Girls, digitalization, and public protest. The insights gained from the five enlightening workshops provide a solid foundation for addressing these key challenges in modern law enforcement.

• The need for effective communication, community engagement, and adaptability in public order policing emphasizes the evolving role of the police in a rapidly changing world, particularly in the context of climate change activism.
• The discussion on Violence Against Women and Girls highlights the importance of collaboration, specialized training, and comprehensive support to address this critical issue.
• The focus on enhancing digital skills recognizes the pivotal role of technology in contemporary law enforcement and the importance of protecting officers' well-being.
• The challenges in combating cybercrime in the era of AI and the Dark Web underscore the need for law enforcement agencies to prioritize technology education, training, and collaboration.

To lead police improvement successfully, a proactive, holistic, and adaptive approach is imperative. The 5th Police Education Conference promises to be a catalyst for change, assisting police identify the tools and insights needed to thrive in a complex and ever-changing world. 

Overview of Content from Workshops

Below is some of the fascinating and informative output from the five workshops which the conference will build on. Fuller reports will be attached in due course.

Navigating Public Order Policing and Communication Challenges

The first workshop, chaired by Roger Gomm QPM, delved into the intricate domain of public order policing and its vital connection to effective communication in managing protests, especially in the context of climate change activism. 

The panel of speakers featured distinguished individuals, each bringing a unique perspective:

Roger Hallam: Co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, who shared experiences related to organizing civil disobedience movements.

Simon Ovens DLL: A former police officer with 37 years of experience in public order policing and leadership.

Beverly Griffiths: A senior lecturer and researcher specializing in organizational risk and resilience, particularly in emergency response.

Bob Broadhurst OBE QPM: A former police officer with 36 years of experience, who served as the head of public order for the Metropolitan Police Service and possesses extensive knowledge of public order policing.

Key discussion points emerged from this session:

Effective Communication: Acknowledging the need for improved communication within the police force, the workshop emphasized the indispensable role of effective communication in managing public order situations.

Managing Peaceful Protests: The workshop included Roger Hallam the co-founder of Extinction Rebellion and he set out his approach to protest. He expanded the concept of civil disobedience, highlighting the importance of organized peaceful protests within legal boundaries and the role of the police in facilitating lawful demonstrations. Especially the problems caused for the police when the demonstrators set out to get arrested but do it in a way which leads to negative images for the police.

Media Challenges: Challenges in police-media communication and reputation management were discussed, underscoring the significance of maintaining a positive public image. Especially in the light of the use of civil disobedience and protestors from several demographic groups.

Community Engagement: The importance of engaging with partners and the business community was highlighted, emphasizing the need for collaboration and open lines of communication.

Discussion Highlights

A core theme that emerged from this workshop was the importance of balance and consensus in public order policing. Achieving this equilibrium is critical for facilitating lawful protests while precisely defining what constitutes a "lawful protest." Effective communication emerged as a linchpin, particularly as protest dynamics evolve, encompassing new categories such as civil disobedience. The unique nature of Extinction Rebellion's approach, involving organised peaceful law-breaking, sparked a debate about how the police should adapt to existential threats like climate change.

The conference participants debated whether the police should adjust their approach in response to protests linked to climate change, given the issue's existential importance to society. While some argued for adaptation in light of the crisis's severity, others emphasised the importance of police impartiality and adherence to the law within a democratic society.

Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls - A Comprehensive Overview

The second workshop, chaired by Parm Sandhu, provided an extensive overview of this critical issue. The session encompassed various topics, including the Police Super Complaint initiative, trauma-informed approaches, cybersecurity, law enforcement practices, international cooperation, multi-agency collaboration, and the effectiveness of the current legal framework. The panel included:

Yasmin Khan: Director and founder of the Halo Project Charity in the Northeast of England.

Detective Superintendent Gary Miles: Gary Miles head of the National Sport Intelligence Bureau, focused on fraud and cybercrime. 

Leigh Beek:  a former senior police officer with 30 years of service in the Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Agency.

These are the key takeaways:

Police Super Complaint: The workshop scrutinized the Police Super Complaint initiative's role in addressing policing disproportionality, particularly in cases of honour-based abuse and disproportionate use of voluntary suspect interviews. It highlighted the significance of involving non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other entities in investigating and addressing these complex cases.

Trauma-Informed Approach: Participants stressed the need for a trauma-informed approach when dealing with victims of sexual abuse. The focus was on ensuring victim safety and providing protective measures, requiring a change in focus on performance measures towards escape from violence.

Cyber Security: The exploitation of online spaces for targeting women and girls is on the rise. This workshop emphasized the importance of enhancing cybersecurity measures to counter this growing threat.

Training and Implementation: Participants acknowledged the necessity of specialized training for law enforcement officers to effectively address violence against women and girls. Implementing this training in real-life scenarios is crucial, with an emphasis on understanding the specific risks and needs of different communities.

Multi-Agency Approach: Collaboration between various agencies and organisations was recognised as essential to address the complexity of violence against women and girls effectively.

Building Trust: Challenges in building trust with victims, especially those targeted through cyber-enabled crimes, were discussed. Encouraging victims to report offenses was deemed vital for achieving justice and safety.

International Tools: The use of international tools, such as the Prüm biometric exchange system, was highlighted as valuable for sharing data across borders and aiding investigations.

This comprehensive overview underscores the multifaceted nature of addressing violence against women and girls. It emphasised the importance of a collaborative, informed, and empathetic approach in law enforcement practices.

Combating Violence Against Women and Girls - An International Perspective

The third workshop, delivered with our partners at the National Forensic Science University of India, took an international perspective on addressing Violence Against Women and Girls. The workshop featured experts from various countries who explored several key topics, including the impact of COVID-19, education, community policing, and the role of technology. The panel included:

Professor (Dr) Purvi Pokhariya Campus Director at the National Forensic Science University of the Delhi Campus. Director of the Academics, Research and Consultancy at the National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar. 

Dr Jeevan Thaigarajah CEO with extensive experience in areas such as minority rights, multiculturalism, governance, and human rights, highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on domestic and societal issues. 

Dr Katarzyna Kowalska, Ph.D. in law, Assistant Professor WSKZ Wroclaw, Legal Counsel

based in Poland, works with vulnerable groups, such as homeless people, victims of violence, and those living with HIV. 

Nupur, from the Centre for Social Justice, shared her experiences in collaborating with the police and their role in addressing violence against women. 

Parm Sandhu, a former Chief Superintendent in London with extensive experience in domestic violence and violence against women and girls, emphasised the complexity of addressing violence against women.

Here are the essential insights:

Leadership Requirements: The discussion highlighted essential qualities and approaches for senior police leadership in handling VAWG. These include empathy, professionalism, support, collaboration, balancing masculinity and femininity, a care-based approach, robust detection procedures, a multi-disciplinary approach, expertise, and research and development.

Effective Policing: Effective policing involves community engagement, striking a balance between victim support and successful prosecutions, providing mental health support for police officers, responsible use of technology in law enforcement, cyber safety for young women and girls, preventive mechanisms, social responsibility, and the importance of a collaborative approach involving law enforcement, communities, families, and society at large.

Digital Policing and Cyber Security: The panel discussed issues related to cybersecurity and digital investigation in the context of VAWG. Key points included concerns about technology misuse by offenders, responsible handling of digital evidence, outdated legislation, the importance of social prevention and education, promoting cyber hygiene, addressing the influence of social media influencers, community policing, the use of digital technology for investigations, and the broader issue of gender-based violence.

The workshop provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges and strategies related to combating VAWG. It emphasized the importance of proactive measures, responsible technology use, and a collaborative approach involving law enforcement, communities, and society at large. The insights shared by the panellists underscore the need for a holistic response to ensure the safety and security of women and girls in a rapidly changing world.

Enhancing Digital Skills Training for Law Enforcement Officers

The fourth workshop, chaired by Stuart Hyde QPM, focused on enhancing digital skills training for law enforcement officers, recognizing the crucial role of digital skills in modern policing. The panel included:

Stuart Hyde QPM: The moderator of the seminar, a retired police officer with 30 years of service in different law enforcement agencies. His experience includes extensive international policing consultancy and digital forensics.

Craig Huldie: A former Crime Scene Coordinator with just under 30 years of service with Northumbria Police. Craig is currently self-employed focusing on Digital Forensics and travels the world delivering investigation training.

Dean Watkinson: With 30 years of police service in the East Midlands area, Dean specialised in cybercrime investigations and now works with CCL Solutions Group based in Stratford on Avon and alongside INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore to enhance global cybercrime capabilities.

Brian Field: A serving officer in the Metropolitan Police Service for 28 years, Brian is currently involved in teaching investigative training, has extensive experience in homicide investigations and developed a simple guide to officers about handling and seeking digital evidence.

Phil Hawksworth: Former Detective Chief Inspector, Phil worked with child rescue technologies and remains passionate about combating child sexual abuse online, working to support and deliver technical solutions across the globe

Key takeaways from this workshop include:

Training for Digital Skills: The panel stressed the importance of digital skills training for all law enforcement officers. They recommended integrating basic digital skills training into the standard curriculum for officers, covering various aspects of digital investigations, digital forensics, handling digital evidence, and legal and ethical considerations.

Challenges in Digital Investigations: The challenges faced by law enforcement officers in digital investigations, particularly when dealing with child abuse images, were discussed. Proper handling and preservation of digital evidence were emphasized, along with the use of triage tools to reduce officers' exposure to disturbing content.

Peer-to-Peer Networks and Challenges: The panel explored the evolution of digital crimes, focusing on the use of peer-to-peer networks for sharing illegal content. They highlighted the importance of advanced technologies like hashing and tools like the Child Abuse Image Database (CAID) to efficiently identify and classify child abuse images while minimizing officers' exposure.

Protecting Officers: The psychological toll on officers involved in digital investigations, particularly when exposed to disturbing content, was acknowledged. The panel stressed the need for psychological support, protective measures, and comprehensive training to safeguard officers' well-being.

The integration of digital skills into mainstream policing is crucial to address the growing digital component in criminal activities. Law enforcement agencies need to invest in training, technology, and support to ensure that officers can effectively combat digital crimes while protecting their mental health. As technology continues to advance, officers must be equipped with the necessary skills and support to serve justice and safeguard their well-being.

Cyber Policing Challenges in the Era of AI and the Dark Web

The fifth workshop, also delivered in partnership with the National Forensic Science University of India, delved into the evolving landscape of cybercrime, the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on law enforcement, and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies (LEAs). The panel included:

Dr Naveen Kumar Chaudhary Professor of Cyber Security and Dean, at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, India.

Nilay Mistry Faculty of Digital Forensics and Cyber Security in the Institute of Forensic Science at World's First of its Kind, National Forensic Sciences University.

Dr Digvijaysinh M. Rathod (PhD Computer Science and Application) Associate Professor and Associate Dean, School of Cyber Security and Digital Forensics & Head, Centre of Excellence Cyber Security National Forensics Sciences University. 

Prof. (Dr) S. O. Junare M.Com.; M. Phil.; MBA; LLB (Spl.), FDPM (IIMA), Ph.D. Campus Director, National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar Campus, Gujarat India

Dr J. M. Vyas is the founder Vice Chancellor National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU)

Stuart Hyde QPM is a leading consultant with the London Policing College having served at all ranks within UK policing including Chief Constable. 

Here are the key findings and discussions:

Evolving AI and the Dark Web: Both AI and the Dark Web are continually evolving, presenting significant challenges that require collective efforts to address. AI technology can be used for both lawful and malicious purposes, including ransomware and identity theft.

Challenges in Combating Cybercrime: Cryptocurrency's decentralisation and cross-border nature present challenges for law enforcement, necessitating improved forensic capacity to track illicit financial transactions. The role of social media as a tool for criminals requires law enforcement to adapt to identify and track online offenders.

Possible Solutions and the Way Forward: To effectively combat cybercrime in the era of AI and the Dark Web, law enforcement agencies and officers should invest in technology education and training. Collaboration with external partners, including the private sector and academia, is essential to develop effective solutions and stay current with technological advancements.

The workshop underscored the growing influence of AI and the Dark Web on cybercrime and the challenges they pose to law enforcement agencies. To address these challenges effectively, law enforcement agencies should prioritize technology education, training, and collaboration with external partners. Investing in digital awareness and skills is crucial to adapt to the evolving landscape of cybercrime and ensure that law enforcement remains effective and secure.