Paul Taylor is Professor of Psychology at Lancaster University, Professor of Human Interaction at the University of Twente, and director of the UK Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST).
In this briefing Professor Taylor will brief members on his role within policing and discuss the upcoming NPCC Science & Technology Strategy. There will be an opportunity at the end of the briefing for Q&A.
Background:
This National Police Chiefs’ Council role, funded by the Home Office, connects science and technology expertise both in the UK and globally to keep policing at the forefront of best practice. The Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) guides critical strategies, policies and decisions, helping police to protect millions of people.
Professor Taylor’s role focusses on crime prevention and uses 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. Providing independent, expert, scientific advice to the sector as a whole, including the College of Policing, the National Crime Agency, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, individual constabularies and on occasion government Ministers.
The role of the Police Chief Scientific Advisor and his office:
As articulated in the NPCC Strategic Plan 2021-2025, science, technology, analysis, and research (STAR) is central to our delivery of a world-class police service. The Office of the Police Chief Scientific Advisor (OPCSA) sits at the heart of this ambition. OPCSA delivers independent and timely scientific and technology advice to National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) members on strategic, policy and operational issues. It drives the growth of Science, Technology, Analysis and Research (STAR) by encouraging an integrated and ambitious set of activities across NPCC portfolios. Additionally, it fosters collaboration across Whitehall, Industry and Academia, and with the wider science community both nationally and internationally.
Professor Paul Taylor - Biography:
Paul Taylor became the first Police Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA) on 1 May, 2021, with a remit to connect science and technology expertise both in the UK and globally to keep policing at the forefront of best practice. The role of the Police CSA helps to guide critical strategies, policies and decisions, helping police to protect millions of people.
Paul is Professor of Psychology at Lancaster University, Professor of Human Interaction at the University of Twente, and founding director of the UK Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST). Established in 2015, CREST has brought together over 140 researchers from 35 universities and SMEs to deliver research that informs policy and practice in security and policing.
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.
