Thames Valley Police has recently celebrated the two-year anniversary of its groundbreaking Behavioural Science Unit, marking its achievements and future ambitions. Launched in October 2022, this unit made history as the first of its kind for any police force within the UK, highlighting the initiative's innovative approach to enhancing the police's grasp of human behaviour.
The core mission of the Behavioural Science Unit is to dig deep—identifying specific internal behaviours, nuanced patterns, biases, and motivations among police personnel. This analysis serves to improve the quality of life for officers, staff, and the communities they serve.
Niki Ward, one of the behavioural science specialists who has been pivotal since the unit's inception, emphasized the significance of behavioural science within policing by stating, "Behavioural science is an exciting and important piece of the organisational puzzle. By focusing on behaviour change, we can optimise performance and drive sustainable results." This focus on behavioural science not only boosts productivity among officers but also enhances community service.
Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs, who leads regional science and innovation efforts, expressed pride in the establishment of the Behavioural Science Unit. He noted, "The insights provided by our Behavioural Science Unit have been instrumental in shaping communication across the force and the communities we serve."
Through its two years of service, the unit has rolled out several projects aimed at optimising internal policies and practices. These include the creation of the Thames Valley Police’s Leadership Standards, initiatives addressing neurodiversity within policing, and providing support for teams undergoing changes and improving the overall working environment.
The success of initiatives from other sectors, such as utilizing behavioural science to reduce appointment no-shows and improve medication compliance within healthcare, serves as evidence of the potential positive impacts similar strategies could have on law enforcement.
Looking forward, the Behavioural Science Unit is ambitious about its future goals. It aspires to drive more positive transformations by assessing behavioural expectations from the workforce to build greater trust and confidence within local communities. This vision encompasses exploring career pathways for inspiring young people and ensuring their concerns are representatively heard by senior leaders.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police noted, "Now two years since the unit's formation, Thames Valley Police celebrates the significant strides made in enhancing public service through behavioural science. We are setting new standards in policing by valuing our employees and employing these principles to build trust within the community. The unit's work supports our continuing ambition to excel as a police force trusted by all our communities and cements Thames Valley Police's position as leaders of innovative public service."
Overall, as Thames Valley Police reflects on these two impactful years, it remains committed to refining its practices based on behavioural insights, signaling exciting changes on the horizon for community policing.
