Solution-Oriented Policing: Bridging Research and Practice

A New Framework for Police-University Collaboration

The Responsive-Collaborative Framework for Policing (RCFP) is our innovative approach to strengthening the mechanisms for research engagement between universities and police forces. Developed in partnership with major UK policing regulators, multiple police forces, and the East Midlands Police-Academic Collaboration (EMPAC), RCFP moves beyond traditional models to create sustained, demand-led partnerships that address real operational challenges.

Building a Pracademic Community

We have established a Police Collaboration Network, a community of practice of 60 ‘pracademics’ including researchers, serving officers, and policy professionals who work at the intersection of policing and academia. This network is designed around rapid mobilization of expertise to inform policing practice, policy development, and institutional reform. We held events including the East Midlands Police Collaboration Sandpit and the SEBP Midlands Conference on innovations in policing-academic collaboration, to create sustainable infrastructure for knowledge exchange that benefits both research and operational policing.

Advancing International Ethical Policing

Our ambition extends beyond the UK to pioneer international ethical policing education grounded in UN values and Principles for Responsible Management Education. We are developing curriculum, conducting research on contemporary ethical challenges including AI use and surveillance, and building partnerships with police forces across multiple countries. We thus aim to become a global hub for ethical policing research and professional development.

Demonstrable Impact

Our policing work has achieved recognition. We presented four DMU projects at the SEBP Midlands Conference attended by more than 120 delegates from 20 police forces & institutions and 13 universities. Our research on community engagement, equality and diversity, and operational challenges is informing practice and contributing to national conversations about the future of policing.

Get Involved

Whether you are a researcher with expertise relevant to policing challenges, a serving officer interested in evidence-informed practice, or a policy professional working at the intersection of policing and public safety, we invite you to join our growing pracademic community.

Contact: policyunit@dmu.ac.uk