Has your involvement with the N8PRP produced questions you would like to consult the public on? If so, resources are available through the Public Engagement Strand to design a deliberative consultation to engage the public with the issues you are interested in.

What is a deliberative consultation?

Last year, the Public Engagement Strand (led by Dr. Liz Turner at the University of Liverpool) trialled a relatively quick deliberative consultation approach in relation to two policing issues (restorative disposals and 20mph speed limit enforcement). These initial events allowed us to test our approach and identify what worked well and what didn’t. The approach we have developed involves 12-18 members of the public being provided with relevant information and evidence about the issue on which they are being consulted and being supported to deliberate about and come to a view (or views) in relation to the issue. The consultations will usually take place on two separate days or evenings and will take around 6 hours of the participants’ time.

What is on offer and what would I have to do?

The Public Engagement Strand has the resources to carry out up to three deliberative consultations during 2019 providing an opportunity for N8PRP researchers and police partners to have us apply what we have learned to a topic where they are keen to understand what the public think.

To make the events work well we need we need event sponsors (people who have questions they want to consult the public on) who are committed to listening to the views of the participants, and willing to work with and support the Public Engagement team (for example by identifying and contacting relevant subject experts to be involved, helping with recruitment and venue hire in your local area if appropriate).

Public engagement is an important part of the N8PRP’s work so the resource is there to deliver these events. All that we ask is that event sponsors (who can be from police forces, OPCCs, or university-based researchers) are willing to give their time to work collaboratively with us on the design of the event and to embrace the deliberative ethos, including the need for expert speakers who reflect different positions on the issue for discussion.

If you are interested in getting involved then please email the N8PRP Project Manager – Steph Abraham providing a short description of the issue you would like to consult the public on and why.

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