Criminologists take the helm at The Police Journal

New editors Dr Jason Roach and Dr Michelle Rogerson have already taken the reins and their first edition together will be published in March

MODERN police work is increasingly based on the findings of experts such as criminologists who have researched the methods that get the best results.  “Academia and policing practice are converging,” says the University of Huddersfield’s Dr Jason Roach.

This means that his appointment as editor of a key journal will help ensure he continues to play a major part in the development of what is termed “evidence-based policing”.

Dr Roach is Reader in Crime and Policing at the University and Director of its Applied Criminology and Policing Centre.  He has frequently collaborated with police for research in fields that include child homicide.  Now, he has been invited to take up the editorship of The Police Journal.  Published four times a year, its goal is to investigate the theory, practice and principles of police work and it carries articles by experts – both academics and serving police officers – from around the world.

After he accepted the editorship, Dr Roach invited his colleague Dr Michelle Rogerson – Senior Research Fellow and Associate Director of the Applied Criminology and Policing Centre – to become co-editor.  The first issue with the two at the helm appears in March and will include articles on topics that include investigative and interviewing techniques, from contributors in countries that include Australia, South Africa and Sweden.

Dr Roach and Dr Rogerson have begun to invite contributions and are planning editions of The Police Journal on topics that could include homicide, terrorism and cyber crime.

“We would like to encourage police officers to write for us,” said Dr Rogerson.

There are moves to make police work an all-graduate profession, with higher ranks obtaining master’s degrees and doctorates.  And financial austerity is helping to ensure the rise of evidence-based policing.  “With limited budgets, you want to know not just what works but why it works,” said Dr Roach.

“We are lucky to be taking over this journal in a climate where police are no longer wary of academics and are being encouraged to work with us,” he added.