Procedural justice and Evidence Based policing in Democratic Societies: A mutually supportive Framework

Sherman (1998) informs us that evidence based policing is the use of the best available research on the outcomes of police work to implement guidelines and evaluate agencies, units and officers. In other words, evidence based policing uses research to guide practice and evaluate practitioners. However, Evidence Based Policing, much like the National Intelligence Model used in England and Wales (John and Maguire 2006) depends upon good quality information being
utilised by specialists in order to produce intelligence to support and inform people and policing strategies. Much of this information is provided by communities and individuals, either as witnesses, victims or informants, and the quality of this information is vitally important. However, the flow of this information may be affected by many exterior activities. For example, police shootings of apparently unharmed individuals may affect community perceptions of the police, and they may withdraw from contact with them. Conversely, positive interactions with the police may enhance relationships. This article suggests that there are factors that may positively impact upon the relationship
between police and public that will encourage the flow of information into police agencies. This in turn will provide enhanced information and intelligence to support better Evidence Based Policing. However, we must first situate the police in the wider democratic society as it allows us to better understand the police function overall.