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Our mission

Who we are

Founded in the United Kingdom in 2012, we are an independent charity dedicated to embedding evidence-based approaches in policing.


The Society of Evidence Based Policing (SEBP) emerged from a simple but powerful belief: that policing decisions should be informed by the best available evidence, just as medicine transformed itself through rigorous research and testing. We are a member-led organisation that brings together police officers, staff, researchers, and citizens who share a commitment to improving public safety through evidence.


Membership of the society is open to anyone who is committed to making a positive impact in the community through the use of evidence-based approaches.

Our core aims

  1. Promote the use of best available research evidence to solve policing problems. We work directly with forces to translate research into practice. This means helping officers and leaders understand and apply evidence in their daily work, from neighbourhood policing to serious crime investigation. We provide tools, guidance and support to ensure that proven approaches are implemented effectively, while challenging practices that lack evidential support.
     

  2. Support the production of new research evidence by police practitioners and researchers. The best evidence often comes from within policing itself. We empower officers and staff to become researcher-practitioners, conducting their own studies and trials. Through our network, mentoring programmes and partnerships with academic institutions, we're building a culture where testing and learning are core parts of police professionalism. We particularly focus on addressing evidence gaps in areas critical to UK policing.
     

  3. ​Lead the communication of research evidence to police practitioners and the public. Evidence is only powerful when it's understood and used. We bridge the gap between academic research and operational policing through clear, accessible communication. Our Members' Hub, events, publications and digital channels ensure that vital findings reach those who need them – from frontline officers to police leaders to community members. We translate complex research into practical insights that drive real-world change.

Our independence and values

As an independent charity, we operate without political bias or vested interests. We're not tied to any single force, supplier, or approach. This independence allows us to:
 

  1. Advocate for what the evidence shows, even when it challenges conventional wisdom

  2. Support all forces equally, regardless of size or resources

  3. Maintain credibility with practitioners, researchers and the public

  4. ​Focus solely on what improves public safety and police effectiveness

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