Paul is a Professor of Psychology at Lancaster University. Prior to this role, he founded 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.

Science and technology sits at the heart of delivering a better and trusted police service. I expect rapid progress this year in areas that include how we communicate with the public, how we use data to deliver effective investigations, and how we engineer technologies to prevent crime in the first place.

The Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) advises on policing's use of science and technology, ensuring it guides NPCC’s critical strategies, policies and decisions, helping police to protect millions of people and reduce crime. The CSA supports the whole policing sector and works closely with the College of Policing, the National Crime Agency, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, individual constabularies and government ministers.

The CSA's objectives are:

• To connect science and technology expertise both in the UK and globally to keep policing at the forefront of best practice.
• To develop a science and technology strategy for policing, bringing coherence to our landscape and accelerating progress.
• To provide insight and solutions across policing, the criminal justice system and government with the aim of transforming the prevention and reduction of crime.
• To represent policing in the government's Chief Scientific Adviser Network, identifying cross-department opportunities and ensuring policing priorities are represented.