Staffordshire Forensic Partnership
History
The partnership was introduced by John Beckwith Head of Forensic Services, Staffordshire Police & Andrew Jackson the then Academic Group Leader, Forensic and Crime Sciences Department, Staffordshire University who both realised the benefits of developing a partnership including training and development, student placements and development projects.
Early success from student placements supported their vision of creating a joint centre of excellence that would enhance the service Staffordshire Police provides to its communities, the role Staffordshire University plays in the education and employability of their students and the overall contribution forensic science makes to society.
There was also a great fit with the ever changing and developing forensic environment, and the challenging financial climate within the Public Sector.
John and Andrew’s initial vision has been developed into an integrated partnership incorporating on a formal footing between Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire University and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. It continues to grow from strength to strength.
Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn by clicking the icons below. Additionally view videos relating to the partnership via our YouTube playlist icon.
Keep up to date with all news and events relating to the SFP by subscribing to the site.
Partnership Aims
The main aims of the partnership are to:
- Create a Police and University partnership that will engage creative energy, push the boundaries and challenge academia and policing to transform forensic science
- Explore ways to secure justice through evidence capture, enhancement, interpretation and its presentation which is revolutionary
- Deliver leading-edge services and products from all areas of forensic science to policing and the courts; securing justice for victims, the local community and society as a whole
How does Staffordshire Police and the University work together?
Work-Streams were created to ensure academia addresses real life Forensic challenges. Each work stream is assigned joint leads from within both Staffordshire University and Staffordshire Police to prioritise and oversee the projects that sit within it.
Additionally student placement opportunities have been developed to undertake short, medium and long term projects. The designated work stream structure also allows for continuity for projects longer than 12 months where needed. There are also opportunities for students to undertake research projects (both undergraduate and postgraduate) in areas of specific interest to the partnership, during their degree studies.
The partnership is overseen by a Programme Board with senior representatives from the contributory organisations and chaired in rotation by a strategic lead from the University and the Police.
Links to Work Streams
Recognition of the Partnership
The partnership is nationally recognised as a model to follow and has won two awards for its work. In 2017 the University won the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) with the work of the partnership a fundamental factor in the award and in 2019 the Partnership won the National Undergraduate Employability Award for the best collaboration between a university and an employer.