‘We Would If We Could … but Not Sure If We Can’: Implementing Evidence-Based Practice

The findings of a pilot training programme focused on evidence-based practice (EBP) conducted in September 2015 suggest that police officers and staff have enthusiasm for EBP. The participating police practitioners from four UK police forces, held positive beliefs about the relevance and value of research, evaluation, and their own research abilities prior to the pilot. Feedback on the training was positive—positive attitudes about whether skills learned were valued by their force and the utility of research for their role and day-to-day work reduced in a small but significant way after participation. This finding is considered alongside qualitative responses of participants. Practitioners observed that the organizational structures and resources required to implement EBP were not currently in place. It is recommended that police practitioners are enabled and empowered to push back, bottom-up, and request the organizational structures and resources required to engage in evidence-based research activity.