The Police Journal/2011, Volume 84/Issue 3, September/Articles/Research and Policing in Times of Austerity - PJ 84 3 (222) Police Journal PJ 84 3 (222) 1 September 2011 Research and Policing in Times of Austerity James Gravelle Centre for Police Sciences, University of Glamorgan Colin Rogers Centre for Police Sciences, University of Glamorgan © Vathek Publishing, 2011 This article considers the importance of independent research into the police organisation in times of austerity. By examining police organisational culture, the current economic climate and the recent change in government, the article illustrates the advantages for the police when engaging with external organisations for the purposes of research. Such engagement would assist in maintaining or increasing public confidence whilst also providing greater transparency and accountability. Using previous research experience as a benchmark, this article will highlight the particular difficulties in researching the police organisation. In times of austerity, budgetary constraints placed on the police service will have a significant impact on research and it is suggested that the police may retreat from external research, preferring instead either to conduct 'in-house' research on a smaller scale or perhaps more likely to postpone research altogether. Cutting staff investment and research may only provoke the police service to return to former cultural enclaves, resulting in the police service becoming more insular and narrowly focused in its long-term objectives. As a result, the future of policing throughout the United Kingdom may become less assured and lead to a decrease in public support. Keywords: economic downturn; organisational culture; police; research Introduction Researching the police is particularly interesting due in part to the unique position, power and privilege the state invests in the organisation. The unique culture that exists within the police organisation makes the challenge of research greater, nevertheless offering commentators and researchers a rare opportunity to investigate and get in close to this powerful institution. The political landscape in which the police operate also adds to the sense of importance and, as policing does not exist within a political vacuum, this makes the topic of policing a dynamic and sensitive area for research. Additionally, within the context of increasing financial problems, combined with finite resources and ever growing demands being placed on the police, issues surrounding expenditure, budgets, costing and performance targets play an integral part in today's police services across the globe. This remains a primary concern for many senior police officers, politicians and others involved in policy making and service delivery. Policing Britain, for example, costs billions of pounds every year (Audit Commission, 2010). This article will consider what 'austerity policing' means (HMIC, 2010b), the future implications for policy and service delivery across England and Wales generally, Page 1