The most recent meeting of the Police Science Council in March 2026, as set out in this blog by Professor Clifford Stott of the Open University, marked an important moment of transition. It was the first since the standing down of our former Chair, Anthony Finkelstein, and was chaired by Sarah Spurgeon.

Sarah introduced an important innovation to the format. In the latter part of the meeting, members were invited to bring and reflect upon a research paper they considered particularly relevant to policing. This proved highly effective, generating rich discussion about emerging risks, opportunities, and future directions, while showcasing the intellectual breadth of the Council.

The papers discussed captured the evolving landscape of police science. Contributions ranged from advances in artificial intelligence, privacy-enhancing technologies, and environmental DNA, through to pressing social challenges such as child criminal exploitation, technology-facilitated abuse, public trust, and vulnerability in police interactions.

A recurring theme across these discussions was the tension - and opportunity - between science and technology on the one hand, and the social and behavioural sciences on the other. Whether examining digital crime, public expectations, or the dynamics of police legitimacy, it was clear that technological innovation alone cannot resolve the complex problems policing faces. Equally, advances in data, analytics, and emerging technologies are reshaping what is possible. The Council’s strength lies in bringing these perspectives together.

Alongside this, discussions highlighted practical challenges around implementation: the difficulty of translating evidence into practice, questions of governance and accountability, and concerns about short-term funding models in a system that often requires sustained, long-term investment.

What was particularly evident is that police science is now in a fundamentally different place from where it stood when the Council was first established. Under the leadership of policing’s first Chief Scientific Adviser, Paul Taylor, the landscape has shifted significantly. Science and technology are now embedded within policing strategy, supported by new investment, institutional development, and a growing commitment to evidence-based practice.

Looking ahead, the Council itself is entering a new phase. With new members being recruited and a permanent Chair to be appointed later this year, there is a clear opportunity to shape the next stage of this agenda.

Overall, the picture is a positive one. Police science is in a healthy and dynamic place—more central than ever to the future of policing. It is a pleasure to be part of a community working collectively to navigate these developments and ensure that scientific insight continues to inform practice in meaningful and impactful ways.