EP66 ‘The Need for Copaganda Fascists’ with Dr. Jerry Ratcliffe

Summary: In this episode, Dr. Jerry Ratcliffe discusses the importance of evidence-based policing, the challenges faced by police scholars in academia, and the need for more practical, scientifically minded police professionals. He shares insights from his journey from police officer to scholar and offers advice for future police leaders and researchers. Key topics: • The importance of evidence-based policing • Challenges faced by police scholars in academia • The concept of pracademics and their role in policing • The impact of social and political movements on police scholarship • Strategies for integrating research into police practice • The importance of evaluation and experimentation in policing • The disconnect between academia and frontline policing • The need for diversity of thought in police research Takeaways: • Police officers and staff should be trained in evaluation and research methods. • Academic institutions need to foster diversity of thought to support innovation in policing. • Embedded criminologists can serve as a bridge between research and practice. • Policing programs should be rigorously evaluated for effectiveness. • Police leaders should embrace a culture of curiosity and continuous improvement. • The term 'copaganda fascists' highlights the need for more scholarly work in policing. • Evidence-based policing can lead to incremental improvements across departments. • Training and evaluation are underutilized opportunities for improving policing. Please go to the Trainer's Bullpen website at www.trainersbullpen.com to access a copy of the research paper discussed as well as other resources.