Academic Research request

1. Background

1.1 Introduction

These guidelines provide a clear structure and support for academic and research partnerships, reflecting the unique nature of these relationships.

It has been developed to ensure clear, ongoing communication in all partnerships of this type, supporting successful partnerships while ensuring value for money for the public and Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

1.2 Application

These guidelines apply to all police officers, staff and volunteers who engage in academic and research partnerships on behalf of the Constabulary, and individuals undertaking personal academic or research projects that involve the use of Cambridgeshire Constabulary resources. This includes academic and commercial research partnerships, whether or not the partnership is funded in whole or part by the Constabulary.

1.3 Purpose

The purpose of these guidelines is to facilitate the generation, retention and use of relevant academic and research material that meets organisational and public needs and expectations, actively supporting Cambridgeshire Constabulary in delivering its policing vision to create a safer Cambridgeshire.

1.4 Scope

These guidelines set out a comprehensive framework for approving and managing academic and research projects that require the use of Cambridgeshire Constabulary resources (including funding, people, time, information and data).

These guidelines exclude Freedom of Information requests for academic or research purposes.

Relevant data protection considerations and information sharing agreements must be in accordance with force policy, including the BCH Information Assurance Policy and BCH Joint Information Management Policy.

1.5 Guidance Statement

Cambridgeshire Constabulary recognises the benefit of academic and research projects to facilitate independent academic scrutiny, improve services and support professional development within the service. Projects by external academic and research institutions often add great value, but do require a level of resourcing from the Constabulary to support their delivery. Strong, well-managed partnerships can assist Cambridgeshire Constabulary with the ongoing professionalisation of the police service, and contribute to the knowledge management and organisational learning framework.

The underlying principle is that any externally commissioned projects (whether funded or voluntary) will complement the work already undertaken by staff in Cambridgeshire Constabulary on priority research topics, and will not be used as a means of reducing staff numbers.

Due to the resourcing implications for Cambridgeshire Constabulary, research projects should be clearly relevant to organisational need, in line with the Research Agenda, and must be conducted in an ethical and transparent manner.

All academic or research partnerships established in Cambridgeshire Constabulary are bound by the policing Code of Ethics.

1.6 Benefits

These guidelines support continuous improvement in Cambridgeshire Constabulary, to improve performance, support organisational values and achieve Constabulary and Police and Crime Plan strategic and operational objectives.

They enable the force to develop professional relationships ethically and transparently, enhancing the skills, knowledge, talent and experience available to the Constabulary.

They aim to support officers, staff and volunteers in Cambridgeshire Constabulary to deliver relevant academic and research projects in a way that is ethical and facilitates impact, peer review and upskilling of the workforce in the application of evidence-based practice.

1.7 Responsibilities

The Organisational Improvement Centre, Change and Research Team owns this guidance and is responsible for its development and review on an annual basis.

The Head of Organisational Improvement Centre is responsible for the strategic development and co- ordination of the academic and research partnership programme.

Identified project leads are responsible for the day-to-day management of agreed projects and the completion of any agreements to share information or data with academic and research partners. Advice can be obtained from Change and Research Team by contacting [email protected].

Approval of all major academic or research programmes will be managed through chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable.

The Force Executive Board (FEB) jointly with the Force Change Board has overall governance and reserves the right to refuse or terminate academic or research projects within Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

Overall responsibility for the implementation of this guidance resides with the Organisational Improvement Centre, Change and Research Team.