The Office of the Police Chief Scientific Adviser, OPCSA, brought together colleagues from across policing, academia and industry for the 2026 Police STAR Fund Showcase and Network Event, celebrating the impact of science, technology and research in modern policing.  

The Police STAR Fund plays a central role in driving innovation within the police science system. Since OPCSA began managing the Fund in 2021, it has supported 105 projects worth over £14 million, helping forces to test new ideas, build evidence and tackle complex challenges, while also accelerating nationally significant initiatives such as Operation Soteria, Rapid Video Response and Project Minerva, and delivering strong value through projects with the potential to generate substantial savings at scale. 

A defining strength of the Fund is its collaborative model. With over 90 percent of projects delivered in partnership with academic and industry colleagues, the programme ensures that innovation is both scientifically robust and grounded in operational need. 

Projects highlighted on the day ranged from advanced data driven tools to support investigations and manage digital demand, to research focused on workforce wellbeing, such as Trauma Tracker, and work exploring public confidence in emerging technologies. 

Emily Jackson, Innovation Programmes Lead, OPCSA said: 
“It was a truly engaging day, hearing directly from a diverse range of innovators across policing, academia and industry. The projects brought the impact of the Police STAR Fund to life, highlighting both the breadth of innovation across the system and the national impact this work can deliver. It demonstrated the critical role of science and technology research and development in driving meaningful change in policing and improving outcomes for the public.” 

Looking ahead, OPCSA will support a further 12 projects as part of the 2026 to 2027 cohort, selected from more than 150 applications. These projects will address key priorities including digital forensics backlogs, the use of artificial intelligence and approaches to building public trust as policing capabilities continue to evolve. 

The showcase remains a key moment in the year for the police science community, providing an opportunity to share learning, strengthen partnerships and highlight emerging priorities across policing. OPCSA will continue to support forces and partners to develop, test and scale innovation that delivers meaningful impact for policing and the public.