REAP the fruits of research in policing

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The call for evidence-based information to assist decision-making in contemporary policing is on the rise. Chief Superintendent Gavin Brown, Deputy Director of the Police College, says police nowadays rely on unbiased research findings, rather than intuition and personal experiences, to make informed decisions.

Launch of the REAP Series

The important role of research in contemporary policing cannot be emphasised more. Mr Brown noted: "The key to performing a first-class policing job, amid the ever-increasing challenges, is to capitalise on research skills to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of a wide spectrum of policing duties - from strategic planning, staffing, and operations, to fighting crime."

To help Force members reap the fruits of policing research, the Research Centre launched a new serial publication - REAP, which stands for "Research Application in Policing". The Research Centre, established under the Police College, is dedicated to enhancing the research capability of the Force.

Practical Research Skills for Police Scenarios

Superintendent Seleri Chiang Yan-wa, Head of the Research Centre, explained: "The REAP Series adopts a scenario-based approach to illustrate, with practical examples, how various research skills could help facilitate a wide spectrum of policing duties."

REAP is positioned as an overview and written in plain language, in an attempt to make knowledge accessible to officers without research background. "More importantly, the REAP series features knowledge sharing and lifelong learning on innovative approaches to policing research. Each article is supplemented by references and a data file for further studies," Ms Chiang emphasised.

The REAP Series taps experience from the previous Research Methodology course and is developed through a series of consultation with officers at different ranks and positions.

Trend Analysis

"Trend Analysis" is carefully chosen as the first topic because of its wide application in crime, operations and management. "The article demonstrates the use of research tools to uncover the long-term trend from a set of time series data," said Research Officer Sadie Chen, who heads the Research Studies Division of the Research Centre. "The method is particularly helpful to focus on the data's general direction, leaving aside interference of short-term irregular and seasonal fluctuations," explained Ms Chen.

Coming topics include programme evaluation, measuring attitude and understanding community's needs, crime analysis and hot spots, just to mention a few.

Where can I get a copy of REAP?

REAP is available in PDF format and can be accessed from:

* Research Centre homepage

(POINT > Formation Sites > Police College > Research Centre > Research Studies Division > Publication) http://point.hpf.gov.hk:8088/bbs/training/college/rc/rsd/publication_c.htm

* KM Portal

(POINT > Knowledge Management > Knowledge Map > Personnel and Training > Police College > Research Centre)

http://point.hpf.gov.hk:8088/km/KNOWLEDGE_MAP/t_74c.html

* Learning Portal

(POINT > Knowledge Management > Learning Portal)

http://point.hpf.gov.hk:8088/bbs/training/index.htm

Chief Superintendent Gavin Brown regards capitalising on research skills as the key to performing a first-class policing job
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