Conceptualising and Evaluating the Impact of Policing Drug Markets

Summary

This N8 PRP Small Grants project considers the policing of drug markets through the lens of harm reduction. Drawing on interviews with police and non-police practitioners, an analysis of national, regional and local drug-related strategy documents, redacted case files, and a coproduction workshop, the study examines how police officers and staff understand police roles in drugs policing, as well as their perceptions of the breadth of harms occurring in this context. The study responds directly to government calls for urgently needed research to address knowledge gaps concerning the impacts of policing interventions on drug markets and the potential for innovative approaches within the existing legal framework.

Key findings

Goals vs. Roles – Police officers and staff commonly understand the police role vis-a-vis drugs policing as being enforcement-focused (the pursue element of the ‘4P’ approach (i.e. prepare, prevent, protect, pursue)). However, research participants also described roles and responsibilities that largely align with principles of harm reduction policing. This includes roles usually associated with non-pursue activities that are more focused on prevention and protection.

Openness to mitigation approaches – Police officers and staff showed an acute understanding of dealing with vulnerabilities in drugs policing and a willingness to explore how such vulnerabilities can be mitigated by police and partners, including via public health approaches.

Performance metrics poorly designed, counterproductive – Despite an ongoing reliance on traditional performance measures in drugs policing detailed in national, regional and local strategy documents (e.g. arrests, seizures), police officers and staff showed broad dissatisfaction with these metrics. They were described as providing an incomplete picture, being difficult to evaluate in terms of impact, often being misunderstood/poorly defined (e.g. disruption), and even at times being counterproductive to achieving desired aims.

Outputs, not outcomes, dominate evaluation – Participants expressed concerns about the lack of robust evaluation of drugs policing interventions, with a focus on outputs rather than outcomes dominating post-intervention reviews.

Clear awareness of potential harms of drugs policing – Participants showed a clear awareness of the immense challenges of drugs policing, including the potential for exacerbating existing harms and vulnerabilities via unintended consequences of police interventions. It was often felt that not enough was currently being done to limit the potential impacts of such harms.

Appetite for training, especially on Diversionary Tactics – Participants expressed a desire to develop their education concerning drug-related harms and the policing of drug markets, with some highlighting their understandings of these contexts developed through occupational experiences and diverse job roles. Diversionary activities (and their impacts) were identified by many police officers and staff as a theme they wanted to learn more about.

Research conducted by Matthew Bacon (University of Sheffield (UoS)), Xavier L’Hoiry (UoS), Amber Belk (South Yorkshire Police (SYP)), Reanna Garraghan (SYP), Charlotte Janusz (SYP), and Ashley Rogers (SYP)

Report date: 01/08/2024.

For further information please contact Matt Bacon by email (M.Bacon@sheffield.ac.uk)