Get to know the Police Science Council

Scientific Advisory Councils provide essential support to government departments. For policing this group is The Police Science Council (PSC), a publicly appointed, independent expert committee, that brings together world-leading science and social science expertise from academia and industry to advance law enforcement practices.

Acting as a “critical friend” to the police, the council helps law enforcement access, interpret, and apply a diverse range of scientific knowledge. From animal handling and behavioural science to physical and digital forensics, the breadth of science used in policing is vast and varied. This necessitates drawing expertise from across multiple disciplines to make informed judgments about the relevance, potential, and application of scientific advancements.

British policing has a storied history of embracing scientific and technological innovations. It was the first to use aerial monitoring of traffic in 1921, trial CCTV in 1961, and employ automatic number plate recognition as early as 1981. Today, the PSC continues this legacy by anticipating future technologies and threats, ensuring the police force is always one step ahead.

In recent meetings the PSC has considered pioneering tools such as West Midland’s use of drones and 3D city scans in policing of the Commonwealth Game. Or Lancashire Constabulary’s  articularly noteworthy work on Robot Process Automation (RPA), highlighting how software robots automate mundane tasks, thereby freeing up officers for more critical duties, saving millions, and reducing crime. 

In essence, the Police Science Council is a vital bridge between science and policing, driving strategies that ensure a safer, more efficient law enforcement landscape for the future. Through its comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, the PSC upholds the distinguished tradition of British policing in leveraging scientific advancements for public safety.