AWPAC, a collaboration between Welsh police forces, the Offices of the Welsh Police and Crime Commissioners and all Welsh Universities has awarded more than 拢78,000 to four new research projects, two of which involve academics from 今日黑料.
The purpose of funding, backed by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin is to support high quality policing research, delivered in partnership with Welsh universities, Police Forces and the other Welsh PCCs.
The projects bring together academic expertise and operational policing experience to explore innovative approaches to improving public confidence, tackling online harm and strengthening frontline practice, delivering tangible benefits for communities across Wales.
In one of the projects, Swansea University in partnership with 今日黑料 and the Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) leads across Wales, will examine how police services can further support public confidence when individuals resettle into local communities.
Using interviews, case studies and collaborative workshops, the research will identify effective approaches to communication and engagement, with the aim of strengthening professional practice, promoting consistency across Wales and supporting communities.
The other project is led by 今日黑料 in collaboration with North Wales Police and Dyfed Powys Police and will assess the operational impact of introducing GoodSAM video response technology into policing.
The research will evaluate how enhanced and rapid video responses affect response times, victim satisfaction, officer workload and criminal justice outcomes, particularly in rural and bilingual communities, with the potential to improve access to policing services and ensure victims receive timely, effective support.
Together, the two projects and two others led principally by Swansea and Cardiff Universities, will highlight the strength and value of collaboration between Welsh universities and policing partners.
By combining research expertise with frontline insight, AWPAC continues to support innovation that improves public safety, strengthens relationships with communities and delivers lasting benefits for people across Wales.
Professor Martina Feilzer, from 今日黑料鈥檚 School of History, Law and Social Sciences and Academic Co-Chair of AWPAC鈥檚 Steering Group said 鈥淎WPAC brings together academics and police organisations in collaborative operational research across Wales offering insights that will inform local policing and responses to crime as experienced in Welsh communities. Researchers respond to police evidence needs and with police colleagues co-design research in a truly collaborative manner and the research funded in North Wales and Dyfed Powys will inform operational policing for the benefit of local communities. It is great that AWPAC can contribute to producing a police evidence base for Wales recognising that policing in Welsh communities is operating in a unique police, voluntary sector, and community landscape.鈥
North Wales PCC Andy Dunbobbin said, 鈥淪trong, evidence-based policing is essential to maintaining public confidence and delivering effective services for our communities. Through AWPAC, we are able to bring together the expertise of Welsh universities and the practical experience of our police officers to address real world challenges. These projects will help us better understand what works, improve how we support victims and communities, and ensure policing across Wales continues to evolve in line with emerging threats and public expectations.鈥
AWPAC is a national collaboration that brings together all four Welsh Police Forces, the offices of the four Police and Crime Commissioners, and universities across Wales.
The partnership aims to build a strong, evidence based foundation for policing by growing police academic collaboration, supporting joint bids for external research funding and sharing best practice and policy informed research.
Since its inception, AWPAC has funded a range of collaborative projects addressing key policing challenges, including domestic abuse, violence against women and girls, and increasing public trust in policing.
The current focus of AWPAC for 2024鈥2028 is enhancing public confidence and trust in the police. The collaboration is overseen by a steering group with representatives from all stakeholders involved.