The CAN-SEBP Experience: Developing Evidence Based Policing through Productive University-Police Relationships

• In Event: Mobilising Research Evidence and Knowledge in Policing: Comparative Experiences

Abstract

In 2014 the Canadian Society of Evidence Based Policing was launched as an antidote to what could only be described as a moribund policing research culture in that country. Although modelled on similar groups in the UK and Australia, the nature of Canadian funding necessitated a slightly different approach: whereas our sister organizations are primarily led by police, CAN-SEBP had to be built as an active, meaningful partnership between police, academic researchers and interested community groups. To that end, police and academics are co-applicants on funding grants, work together as co-creators of research and co-generators of knowledge mobilization activities and actively participate singly and jointly as promoters of evidence based policing within police and academic venues. In the present paper, I discuss this model, outlining some of its strengths and limitations.

Author

• Laura Huey, University of Western Ontario