Amy Gledden-- Future focused policing
Amy used to be a uniformed officer, but now works as a civilian. The work of Amy’s Division includes crime mapping, policy advice on how the police conduct and use surveillance, and actual surveillance and covert operations.
The Victoria Police is on the cusp of a significance change, due to the implementation of the “Blue Paper”, which gives a vision for the future.
Current trends and drivers include:
- There is now a smaller group of offenders accounting for a bigger proportion of crime (e.g. a lot of vehicle crime was due to one group).
- Offenders are tending to be older (up to late 20s).
- Offenders are more aware of the latest technologies (e.g. online fraud, use of drones).
- Ice has replace heroin as a major drug problem and involves more violence and volatility.
- Profit motive has changed (e.g. burglars have shifted from theft from homes to theft from vehicles, because of the valuable possessions left in them).
- Who are vulnerable to criminal activity has changed (e.g. radicalization of youth).
- Organized crime has changed (e.g. outlaw motor cycle gangs are more connected to organized crime than previously).
- Change in weapons (e.g. 3D printers can now be used to make weapons).
Future policing is likely to follow several trends:
- A ‘victim-centred’ approach, e.g. engaging with industry to overcome technological weaknesses that increase risk of crime.
- Prevention focus.
- Flexible policing models, e.g. policing tied to current crime hotspots rather than the physical location of police stations.
- Real-time intelligence. Intelligence units will cover all local government areas and coverage will be broadened to be 24/7.
- Evidence-based responses. There will be evaluation of what worked.
- Innovation. Greater commitment to work with other agencies (e.g. education, health and human services) to develop solutions and share information.
- Fusion of data and skills. There will be greater sharing of data at a national level. Police will need to broaden skill sets beyond those typically held by sworn officers, e.g. bring in experts on geospatial mapping and statistics.
- Better communication technology, e.g. use of iPads in the field in place of forms being filled out and later data entry.
Amy ended up by speaking about a 10 year plan that Victoria Police is developing and the support that the new Commissioner has to drive these reforms.