policing

Police dog on a lead sniffing a brown suitcase next to a bench

Drug detection dogs often get it wrong, and it’s a policing practice that needs to stop

27 Oct 2023

New research shows that not only is the use of drug detection dogs ineffective, it may in fact increase the risk of drug-related harm.

Article on domestic violence policing of First Nations women wins criminology award

28 Nov 2022

Criminology and law researcher Emma Buxton-Namisnyk’s study of domestic violence policing of First Nations women in Australia has been recognised with an Early Career Research Award.

police on horseback on the streets of Sydney.jpeg

COVID has changed policing — but now policing needs to change to respond better to COVID

30 Jul 2021

It is critical that policing during COVID-19 does not amplify inequalities by prioritising punishment over keeping people safe. There are better ways police can support the community.

Cop that: the rise of criminal infringement notices

20 Oct 2020

The increasing use of on-the-spot penalty notices by police should have us concerned, a UNSW expert says.

Predictive policing: will you do time before the crime?

09 Jun 2020

The limitations of software that predicts future crimes before they occur need to be recognised, a UNSW expert says.

Pre-emptive policing is harmful and oppressive, and requires independent scrutiny

02 Nov 2017

Young people are experiencing patterns of oppressive policing that are harmful to them, their families and the community, writes Vicki Sentas.

Supporting, not imprisoning, Aboriginal people with disabilities could save millions

05 Nov 2015

Early support could save lives and allow Aboriginal people with mental and cognitive disability to live with dignity in their communities, writes Ruth McCausland.

Aboriginal people with disabilities get caught in a spiral of over-policing

04 Nov 2015

Police often don’t recognise that someone has an intellectual disability or brain injury due to a lack of training in this area, write Eileen Baldry, Elizabeth McEntyre and Ruth McCausland.

War on drugs a ‘comprehensive failure’

03 Apr 2012

UNSW legal experts, drug researchers and health professionals have backed a call by a group of eminent Australians for an overhaul of the approach to illicit drugs.

Policing domestic violence

16 Dec 2008

A more proactive approach to policing can dramatically lower rates of domestic and family violence, a UNSW forum has been told.