Policing research in crisis? The role of research partnerships in reforming policing in Scotland

Policing research partnerships have a valuable role to play in bringing together academics and practitioners, enhancing engagement and understanding, and reforming policing. Having a formal infrastructure to underpin partnerships means they are well placed to collaborate and respond during a crisis. In Scotland, COVID-19 has resulted in a dramatic societal shift and affected communities in diverse ways. Police Scotland and other agencies have been under unprecedented pressure to not only respond to regular public safety concerns but also enforce public health legislation, all while operating with a reduced workforce. During this same time, massive protests in the United States around police violence, use of force, and police legitimacy have also called for significant changes in policing. As an institutionalized partner with Police Scotland, we here at the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR; see sipr.ac.uk) have been considering how policing research partnerships can best provide both constructive and critical input on key policing issues that arise during crises