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

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.

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.

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.

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.