First National Policing Chief Scientific Adviser appointed
Professor Paul Taylor has been appointed as the first National Policing Chief Scientific Adviser to help police “harness science and technology to prevent crime”.
The newly-created National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) role, funded by the Home Office, will connect science and technology expertise both in the UK and globally to promote policing best practice and guide critical strategies, policies and decisions.
Professor Taylor, currently the director of the Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST) based at Lancaster University, has led on innovations in crime prevention, predictive policing and a national programme of research that has helped shape policing in counter-terrorism and emergency response.
NPCC chair Martin Hewitt said: “As we continually strive to make 21st century policing more effective and efficient, it is crucial that we deepen and expand our capability to harness science and technology to prevent crime and keep people safe.
“Professor Paul Taylor will bring his exceptional experience and outstanding leadership to help policing to be prepared for both the opportunities and the threats presented by science and technology in the future, and I look forward to working with him.”
Professor Taylor’s role will focus on crime prevention and will use emerging evidence, research and innovation in science and technology, including in both data and behavioural science, to advise policing on both the opportunities and risks to help reduce crime.
Independent, expert, scientific advice will be provided to the sector as a whole, including the College of Policing, the National Crime Agency, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, individual forces and government ministers.
A new science and technology strategy for policing will be developed alongside the delivery of the Government’s manifesto commitment to establish a new National Crime and Justice Laboratory. The laboratory will provide insight and solutions across policing, the criminal justice system and government with the aim of transforming the prevention and reduction of crime.
The NPCC says these initiatives will play a pivotal role in future policing at home and around the world.
Professor Taylor said: “It is my privilege to be joining the NPCC at a time when science and technology has so much to offer policing.
“The UK has always been at the forefront of using evidence and science in policing and I intend to build on this tradition, ensuring the very best research and innovation lies at the heart of what we do.”
Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said: “Our police officers are the best in the world, and we’re determined to equip them with the tools and expertise they need to stay one step ahead of criminals.
“This role will channel the brightest and best insights across science and technology to help the police prevent crime before it happens and keep our communities safe.
“I welcome Professor Paul Taylor to this role and I look forward to working with him closely on our shared mission of driving forward innovation in policing and driving down crime.”
Sir Patrick Vallance, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, said the new role will help ensure that police can “make the best use of the latest science and technologies to help prevent and reduce crime”.
He added: “Professor Taylor brings a wealth of relevant experience and knowledge with him.”
In addition to his role as director of Crest, Professor Taylor is a professor of psychology at Lancaster University and professor of human interaction at the University of Twente.
Established in 2015, CREST has brought together more than 140 researchers from 35 universities and SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to deliver research that informs policy and practice in security and policing.
Before this, Professor Taylor established Lancaster’s institute for security research, leading staff and students from ten departments and growing an interdisciplinary strength that still defines the institute’s contribution today.
His research uses modelling and experimentation to understand and predict human cooperation and violence. Its implications have helped in the prevention of serious crime, the negotiation of hostage crises, and the use of data in national security.
Over his career Professor Taylor has contributed science advice to a number of high-profile police investigations in the UK and overseas. In 2005, he received a Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Commendation for his contributions.