Applied Policing Policy Research: Improving Evidence Based Oversight of the Police

Dr Paul Dawson is Head of Evidence and Insight in the Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime in London. This team holds a unique position within crime and justice analytics in England & Wales, spanning performance insights, data visualisation, public voice, social research, evaluation, and data science functions all to support MOPAC discharge its statutory responsibility of overseeing the London Metropolitan Police Service. From 2008 to 2014 he was Research Manager within the Metropolitan Police Service. During this time, he co-authored the book: Police Use of Research Evidence: Recommendations for Improvement alongside Professor Betsy Stanko. Between 2003 and 2008 he was a researcher in the UK Home Office where projects included leading the research for the Tackling Gangs Action Programme, and the evaluation of the Prolific and other Priority offenders scheme. Between 2000 and 2003 he held two roles within the National Health Service working in secure forensic psychiatric units therapeutically with mentally disordered offenders as well as conducting national surveys. He holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Birmingham investigating the empirical contribution of weapon-use within the analysis of serious sexual offending and is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University College London Department of Security and Crime Science.