Institute of Criminology Public Seminars: 'Learning to Field Test in Policing and Criminal Justice'

Speaker: Dr Peter Neyroud CBE QPM, University of Cambridge.

Evidence-based policing (EBP) has emerged as a key strand of police innovation since Sherman’s (1998) Police Foundation lecture. However, for others EBP raises as many questions as answers. One of the most contentious areas is the role advocated for randomised controlled trials in testing practice and developing knowledge to support EBP. RCTs are controversial with some scholars who argue that policing is not comparable to medicine and that RCTs are unable to reflect the complexity of the police role and context. Even those who advocate the use of RCTs recognise that there are significant challenges in achieving the high dosage and high fidelity that a successful experiment requires.

The seminar explores these challenges by discussing the lessons from the completed randomised controlled trials in policing and using a case study, Operation Turning Point, to identify the factors that may contribute to the conduct and management of field trials with high levels of treatment integrity. The seminar will highlight the advantages of building institutional frameworks in which the development of practitioners and researchers and the conduct and management of experimental research could be brought closer together.

This seminar starts at 5.30pm, and will be held in Seminar Room B3, Institute of Criminology, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 9DA. A drinks reception in the basement foyer will follow this seminar for attendees.

The IoC Public Seminar Series is open to all interested in attending, with no ticket required. If you wish to be added to the seminar mailing list, please contact: reception@crim.cam.ac.uk