Research

The Centre for Policing Research and Learning (CPRL) in the Department for Policing (DfP) at the Open University, creates high-quality impactful research to improve policing for the public good in a digital world. Our research is based on a collaborative working model between CPRL member forces and an interdisciplinary network of Open University academics - the CPRL Collaborative, which runs monthly online research seminars.

Together, police partners and researchers develop research projects addressing key priorities of CPRL members to generate knowledge exchange and joint learning from evidence and to achieve impact in practice. Explore how our current and past research projects in the four priority research areas below have increased the effectiveness and efficiency of police forces, law-enforcement agencies and their partners through evidence, learning, knowledge exchange, and impact on practice. The close collaboration between CPRL and the DfP enables the direct translation of our research into degree programmes and relevant CPD offers for policing.

CPRL research priorities:

  • Investigation, community and vulnerability
  • Digitally enabled policing
  • Leadership, management and organisation
  • Health, wellbeing and resilience.

CPRL research projects

Police on horse

Investigation, community and vulnerability

Includes both cognitive and social aspects of investigating criminal activity and the relationships between police and citizens. The theme embraces research that includes criminal investigations, police relationships with community members/citizens (in non-digital settings) and issues regarding the vulnerability of the citizens that the police interface with.

smartphone with lights

Digitally enabled policing 

Explores how the police might use technology, data and knowledge management to best effect in the fight against crime and how current practice might be improved through technological innovation and improved learning and development. This theme also considers the evidence-base for making operational and budgetary decisions regarding digital tools and how digital learning technology can be used to enhance professional development.

Teams meeting

Leadership, management and organisation

Concerns research about the processes and effectiveness of police agencies as organizations, and within partnerships and networks of learning and implementation. The theme covers how demand is managed, how police officers and staff are lead, people management, financial management, ways to support learning within and across the organization, networks of organizational learning, and how public value is created for society.

hands holding a plant

Health, wellbeing and resilience 

Focuses on research and practice on the mental and physical health of the policing workforce and of their families, and broader considerations which influence wellbeing. The theme investigates the impact of current practice on police officer/staff wellbeing, potential interventions to improve health and wellbeing through policy, practice and new technologies, and the creation and maintenance of workforce resilience.

CPRL library

If you are looking for specific publications resulting from CPRL research projects, check out our online CPRL library

News

CPRL CPD programme sets new benchmark for investigative excellence

The States of Jersey Police recently completed a transformative Continued Professional Development (CPD) programme that is setting a new benchmark in investigative excellence and fostering increased public confidence in law enforcement. 

Designed and delivered by Ian McNeill, Senior Lecturer in CPD Development in Policing at the Centre for Policing Research and Learning (CPRL) at the Open University, the programme was developed in collaboration with the Operation Soteria Joint Unit and academics from across all six pillars of the Operation Soteria national programme.

28th April 2025