Discretion and decision making

Journal article

Tong, S. and Wood, D. 2009. Discretion and decision making. The Police Online Knowledge Area (POLKA).
AuthorsTong, S. and Wood, D.
Year2009
JournalThe Police Online Knowledge Area (POLKA)
PublisherNational Policing Improvement Agency
Related URLhttp://www.npia.police.uk/en/16173.htm
Publication dates
Print2009
Publication process dates
Deposited23 Nov 2012
Output statusPublished
Permalink -

https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/86v4y/discretion-and-decision-making

  • 307
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 3
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Maintaining professional standards and reflective practice
Wood, D. 2025. Maintaining professional standards and reflective practice. in: McGrath, R. and Pepper, I. (ed.) Introduction to Professional Policing. Examining the Evidence Base London and New York Routledge, Taylor and Francis. pp. 26-41
Understanding the moral dimension of policing: the need to normalise ethical reasoning within police practice
Manning, M and Wood, D. 2025. Understanding the moral dimension of policing: the need to normalise ethical reasoning within police practice. The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X251340532
Researching detective pathways: opportunities and challenges
Tong, S. and O'Neill, M. 2023. Researching detective pathways: opportunities and challenges. in: Martin, D. and Tong, S. (ed.) Introduction to Policing Research: Taking Lessons From Practice Abingdon Routledge, Taylor and Francis. pp. 65-76
UK–EU law enforcement cooperation post-Brexit: A UK law enforcement practitioner perspective
Shellaker, M., Tong, Stephen and Swallow, Paul 2023. UK–EU law enforcement cooperation post-Brexit: A UK law enforcement practitioner perspective. Criminology and Criminal Justice. https://doi.org/10.1177/17488958231162520
More lesson learning, less risk aversion in England and Wales? Prospects for the police (conduct) regulations 2020
Heaton, R. and Tong, Stephen 2022. More lesson learning, less risk aversion in England and Wales? Prospects for the police (conduct) regulations 2020. The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258x221107586
Women police leaders in Europe: a tale of prejudice and patronage
Silvestri, M. and Tong, S. 2020. Women police leaders in Europe: a tale of prejudice and patronage. European Journal of Criminology. 19 (5), pp. 871-890. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477370820931867
Towards Ethical Policing
Wood, D. A. 2020. Towards Ethical Policing. Bristol Policy Press.
The Schengen evaluation mechanism: exploring the views of experts in the field of police cooperation
Kaasik, J. and Tong, S. 2019. The Schengen evaluation mechanism: exploring the views of experts in the field of police cooperation. European Law Enforcement Research Bulletin. Winter (18), pp. 1-18.
Police learning in the context of change and diversity
Tong, S. and Green. T 2019. Police learning in the context of change and diversity. Policing: A Journal for Policy and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paz069
Lesson-learning not blame: realistic or optimistic?
Heaton, R. and Tong, S. 2019. Lesson-learning not blame: realistic or optimistic? Police Professional.
Professionalizing criminal investigation: an examination of an early attempt to support specialization in criminal investigation
Tong, S. and O'Neill, M. 2019. Professionalizing criminal investigation: an examination of an early attempt to support specialization in criminal investigation. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paz010
Embedding learning and assessment within police practice: the opportunities and challenges arising from the introduction of the PEQF in England and Wales
Wood, D. 2018. Embedding learning and assessment within police practice: the opportunities and challenges arising from the introduction of the PEQF in England and Wales. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/pay087
Operational risk, omissions and liability in policing
Heaton, R., Bryant, R. and Tong, S. 2018. Operational risk, omissions and liability in policing. The Police Journal.
Police and higher education: prospects and challenges II workshop
Tong, S. 2017. Police and higher education: prospects and challenges II workshop.
Sink or swim: a cast study of detective training
Tong, S. 2017. Sink or swim: a cast study of detective training.
Researching professional development
Wood, D. and Bryant, R. 2015. Researching professional development. in: Brunger, M., Tong, S. and Martin, D. (ed.) Introduction to policing research. Taking lessons from practice. London Routledge. pp. 87-99
Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2017
Blackburn, B., Graca, S., Lawton-Barrett, K., Gilbert, P., Hooper, G., Jones, G., Lerpiniere, P., McCormack, T., Mitchell, S., Nunn, J., O'Neill, M., Owens, J., Straine-Francis, V., Underwood, R. and Wood, D. Bryant, R. and Bryant, S. (ed.) 2016. Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2017. Oxford Oxford University Press.
Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2016
Graca, S., Lawton-Barrett, K., O'Neill, M., Tong, S., Underwood, R. and Wood, D. Bryant, R. and Bryant, S. (ed.) 2015. Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2016. Oxford Oxford University Press.
Kent and Medway: delivering a Brexit border: policing, security, freight and customs
Hadfield, A., Tong, S. and Centre for European Studies and the Canterbury Centre for Policing Research, Canterbury Christ Church University 2018. Kent and Medway: delivering a Brexit border: policing, security, freight and customs. Canterbury Canterbury Christ Church University.
Professionalising criminal investigation – an examination of early attempts to professionalise detectives in the United Kingdom
Tong, S. 2017. Professionalising criminal investigation – an examination of early attempts to professionalise detectives in the United Kingdom.
Evidence-based policing, professionalization and challenges to policing in Britain
Tong, S. 2017. Evidence-based policing, professionalization and challenges to policing in Britain.
Art, craft and science of policing
Tong, S. 2017. Art, craft and science of policing.
Conducting research into European policing'
Tong, S. 2017. Conducting research into European policing'.
Learning from mistakes? policing under siege: an examination of high profile criticisms of policing and potential responses
Tong, S. 2016. Learning from mistakes? policing under siege: an examination of high profile criticisms of policing and potential responses.
Professionalising policing: challenges in the role of education
Tong, S. 2016. Professionalising policing: challenges in the role of education.
Police reform workshop: professionalisation through education
Tong, S. 2016. Police reform workshop: professionalisation through education. European Police Research Institutes Collaboration (EPiC) Annual Conference. Cardiff University
Professionalising policing: seeking viable and sustainable approaches to police education and learning
Tong, S. 2017. Professionalising policing: seeking viable and sustainable approaches to police education and learning. European Police Science and Research Bulletin - Special Conference Edition. Summer (2017), pp. 171-178.
Mediating serious crime: an analysis of victim and prisoner mediation
Tong, S., Waters, B., Bryant, R., Williams, E. and Norman, J. 2017. Mediating serious crime: an analysis of victim and prisoner mediation.
Education and the police professionalisation agenda: a perspective from England and Wales
Tong, S. and Hallenberg, K. 2017. Education and the police professionalisation agenda: a perspective from England and Wales. in: Rogers, C. and Frevel, B. (ed.) Higher Police Education: An international perspective Springer.
‘Set in stone?’
Heaton, R. and Tong, S. 2017. ‘Set in stone?’. Police Professional.
The importance of context and cognitive agency in developing police knowledge: going beyond the police science discourse
Wood, D., Cockcroft, T., Tong, S. and Bryant, R. 2017. The importance of context and cognitive agency in developing police knowledge: going beyond the police science discourse. The Police Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X17696101
The importance of liberal values within policing: police and crime commissioners, police independence and the spectre of illiberal democracy
Wood, D. 2016. The importance of liberal values within policing: police and crime commissioners, police independence and the spectre of illiberal democracy. Policing and Society: An International Journal of Research and Policy. 26 (2), pp. 148-164. https://doi.org/10.1080/10439463.2014.922086
History of criminal investigation
Tong, S. 2016. History of criminal investigation.
Training the effective detective: a case-study examining the role of training in learning to be a detective
Tong, S. 2005. Training the effective detective: a case-study examining the role of training in learning to be a detective. PhD Thesis University of Cambridge Institute of Criminology
The politics of establishing reflexivity as a core component of good policing
Wood, D. and Williams, E. 2016. The politics of establishing reflexivity as a core component of good policing. in: Armstrong, S., Blaustein, J. and Henry, A. (ed.) Reflexivity and Criminal Justice. Intersections of Policy, Practice and Research London Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 215-236
Can the individual survive the greening of criminology?
Wood, D. 2016. Can the individual survive the greening of criminology? in: Hall, M., Wyatt, T., Potter, G., South, N., Nurse, A. and Maher, J. (ed.) Greening Criminology in the 21st Century: Contemporary Debates and Future Directions in the Study of Environmental Harm Abingdon Routledge. pp. 42-58
Conclusion: challenges and changes in police research
Tong, S. and Martin, D. 2015. Conclusion: challenges and changes in police research. in: Brunger, M., Tong, S. and Martin, D. (ed.) Introduction to Policing Research: Taking Lessons From Practice London Routledge. pp. 217-223
From the briefing room to the class room: the pedagogical value of researching police elites
Tong, S., Brunger, M., Caless, B. and Gilbert, P. 2015. From the briefing room to the class room: the pedagogical value of researching police elites. in: Brunger, M., Tong, S. and Martin, D. (ed.) Introduction to Policing Research: Taking Lesson From Practice London Routledge. pp. 137-148
Introduction to policing research
Brunger, M., Tong, S. and Martin, D. 2015. Introduction to policing research. in: Brunger, M., Tong, S. and Martin, D. (ed.) Introduction to Policing Research: Taking Lessons From Practice London Routledge. pp. 1-5
Introduction to policing research: taking lessons from practice
Tong, S. Brunger, M., Tong, S. and Martin, D. (ed.) 2015. Introduction to policing research: taking lessons from practice. London Routledge.
Women and police leadership: a European insight
Tong, S. and Silvestri, M. 2015. Women and police leadership: a European insight.
Evidence-based policing: from effectiveness to cost-effectiveness
Tong, S. and Heaton, R. 2016. Evidence-based policing: from effectiveness to cost-effectiveness. Policing: A Journal for Policy and Practice. 10 (1), pp. 60-70. https://doi.org/doi:10.1093/police/pav030
Leading policing in Europe: an empirical study of police leadership
Caless, B. and Tong, S. 2015. Leading policing in Europe: an empirical study of police leadership. Bristol Policy Press.
Leadership policing in Europe: an empirical study on police leadership
Caless, B. and Tong, S. 2015. Leadership policing in Europe: an empirical study on police leadership. European Police Science and Research Bulletin. Summer (12), pp. 13-17.
Watching the detectives: researching investigative practice
Hallenberg, K., O'Neill, M. and Tong, S. 2015. Watching the detectives: researching investigative practice. in: Brunger, M., Tong, S. and Martin, D. (ed.) Introduction to Policing Research: Taking Lessons From Practice London Routledge. pp. 101-117
Police education in England and Wales: a changing landscape
Tong, S. 2014. Police education in England and Wales: a changing landscape.
Evolving partnership and collaboration
Tong, S. 2013. Evolving partnership and collaboration.
Mediating serious crime: an analysis of adult prison restorative justice mediation
Bryant, R., Tong, S., Waters, B., Williams, E. and Norman, J. 2014. Mediating serious crime: an analysis of adult prison restorative justice mediation. London Nuffield Foundation.
Police training and education: past, present and future
Bryant, R., Cockcroft, T., Tong, S. and Wood, D. 2013. Police training and education: past, present and future. in: Brown, J. (ed.) The Future of Policing London Routledge.
Graduate police officers: releasing the potential for pre-employment university programmes for aspiring officers
Tong, S. and Wood, D. 2011. Graduate police officers: releasing the potential for pre-employment university programmes for aspiring officers. The Police Journal. 84 (1), pp. 69-74. https://doi.org/10.1350/pojo.2011.84.1.513
Privatisation of agencies in the public sector
Tong, S. 2013. Privatisation of agencies in the public sector.
The more serious the offence, the more powerful the effect? An evaluation of victim-offender mediation in a prison setting. Report for the European Forum for Restorative Justice, The 6th Biennial Forum Proceedings 2010.
Tong, S. and O'Mahoney, J. 2011. The more serious the offence, the more powerful the effect? An evaluation of victim-offender mediation in a prison setting. Report for the European Forum for Restorative Justice, The 6th Biennial Forum Proceedings 2010.
Gender and police leadership: time for a paradigm shift?
Silvestri, M., Tong, S. and Brown, J. 2013. Gender and police leadership: time for a paradigm shift? International Journal of Police Science and Management. 15 (1), pp. 61-72. https://doi.org/10.1350/ijps.2013.15.1.303
Investigative decision making: missing people and sexual offences, crossroads to an uncertain future
Alys, L., Massey, K. and Tong, S. 2012. Investigative decision making: missing people and sexual offences, crossroads to an uncertain future.
Submission to the Home Affairs Committee inquiry into leadership and standards in the police. (Written evidence.)
Bryant, R., Tong, S. and Wood, D. 2012. Submission to the Home Affairs Committee inquiry into leadership and standards in the police. (Written evidence.). London Home Office.
Graduate Police Officers: releasing the potential for pre-employment university programmes for aspiring police officers
Tong, S. 2010. Graduate Police Officers: releasing the potential for pre-employment university programmes for aspiring police officers.
Why is more policing always the answer?
Wood, D. 2010. Why is more policing always the answer?
Responding to the Neyroud Review: the higher education forum for learning and development in policing perspective
Wood, D. 2011. Responding to the Neyroud Review: the higher education forum for learning and development in policing perspective.
Policing at a crossroads: the demise of constabulary independence and the rise of purposeful policing
Wood, D. 2011. Policing at a crossroads: the demise of constabulary independence and the rise of purposeful policing.
Human rights and the future prospects for liberal policing in the UK
Wood, D. 2010. Human rights and the future prospects for liberal policing in the UK.
Democratising police governance? A critical reflection on the likely impact of Police and Crime Commissioners
Wood, D. and Furness, M. 2012. Democratising police governance? A critical reflection on the likely impact of Police and Crime Commissioners.
Police Complaints in the United Kingdom
Wood, D. 2012. Police Complaints in the United Kingdom. in: MacAlister, D. (ed.) Police Involved Deaths. The Need for Reform Vancouver, British Columbia BC Civil Liberties Association. pp. 73-99
Training the effective detective: report of recommendations
Tong, S. 2005. Training the effective detective: report of recommendations.
Watching the detectives
Tong, S. 2000. Watching the detectives.
Investigating effectiveness: competing ideologies and police performance management
Tong, S. 2002. Investigating effectiveness: competing ideologies and police performance management.
'Art, craft & science: contemporary detective practice’
Tong, S. 2010. 'Art, craft & science: contemporary detective practice’.
Police leadership: an historical account of the development of police leaders
Caless, B. and Tong, S. 2011. Police leadership: an historical account of the development of police leaders.
Restorative justice in prisons: a presentation to Kent Probation Service victim seminar
O'Mahoney, J. and Tong, S. 2011. Restorative justice in prisons: a presentation to Kent Probation Service victim seminar.
Skills and abilities in crime investigation: the investigative journalist versus the detective
Poyser, S. and Tong, S. 2011. Skills and abilities in crime investigation: the investigative journalist versus the detective.
Criminal investigation and higher education: a crossroads to an uncertain future
Murphy, R., Tong, S. and Underwood, R. 2011. Criminal investigation and higher education: a crossroads to an uncertain future.
Police research and interviewing police elites
Tong, S. 2011. Police research and interviewing police elites.
The science of criminal investigation
Tong, S. 2011. The science of criminal investigation.
The detective past and present: an examination of an evolving profession
Tong, S. 2011. The detective past and present: an examination of an evolving profession.
Policing research in an age of austerity
Brunger, M. and Tong, S. 2012. Policing research in an age of austerity.
Criminal investigation and higher education: a crossroads to an uncertain future
Massey, K. and Tong, S. 2012. Criminal investigation and higher education: a crossroads to an uncertain future.
ASC 547 higher education and policing. Report submitted to the Higher Education Academy Social Sciences Cluster
Bryant, R., Bryant, S., Tong, S. and Wood, D. 2012. ASC 547 higher education and policing. Report submitted to the Higher Education Academy Social Sciences Cluster. Higher Education Academy.
An appropriate space: chief officers and police accountability
Caless, B. and Tong, S. 2011. An appropriate space: chief officers and police accountability. Police Practice and Research. 14 (1). https://doi.org/10.1080/15614263.2011.645613
Investigative decision making: missing people and sexual offences, crossroads to an uncertain future
Tong, S., Massey, K. and Alys, L. 2013. Investigative decision making: missing people and sexual offences, crossroads to an uncertain future. Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling. 10 (1). https://doi.org/10.1002/jip.1382
Policing without principles: reflections on the teaching of police discretion to initial police trainees
Wood, D. 2008. Policing without principles: reflections on the teaching of police discretion to initial police trainees.
Intergenerational equity and ecological justice: Can’t live with them, can’t live without them
Wood, D. 2008. Intergenerational equity and ecological justice: Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.
Confessions of a back seat detective: an ethnography of detective training and practice
Tong, S. 2008. Confessions of a back seat detective: an ethnography of detective training and practice.
In need of professionalisation: the case for pre-employment training and education for police officers in the UK
Tong, S. 2008. In need of professionalisation: the case for pre-employment training and education for police officers in the UK.
Developments in initial police training: a university perspective
Tong, S. 2008. Developments in initial police training: a university perspective.
Policing as politics
Wood, D. 2009. Policing as politics.
Policing as social engineering : Reflections on the ''Hamsterdam'' experiment
Wood, D. 2009. Policing as social engineering : Reflections on the ''Hamsterdam'' experiment.
From liberal to democratic policing: Is there a role for toleration within contemporary policing?
Wood, D. 2009. From liberal to democratic policing: Is there a role for toleration within contemporary policing?
Applying for your first academic job
Tong, S. 2009. Applying for your first academic job.
Conducting research interviews in a policing context
Tong, S. 2009. Conducting research interviews in a policing context.
Interim report: An evaluation of adult prison RJ (Restorative Justice) mediation
Bryant, R., O'Mahoney, J., Waters, B. and Tong, S. 2009. Interim report: An evaluation of adult prison RJ (Restorative Justice) mediation. Canterbury, Kent, UK Canterbury Christ Church University.
Do consequences matter? Police ethics in an 'age of terror'
Wood, D. 2007. Do consequences matter? Police ethics in an 'age of terror'.
Initial police training: challenges and developments in the UK
Phipps, J., Tong, S. and Wood, D. 2007. Initial police training: challenges and developments in the UK.
Adult prisoner victim-offender mediation: the Kent experience
O'Mahoney, J. and Tong, S. 2010. Adult prisoner victim-offender mediation: the Kent experience. Resolution: News from the Restorative Justice Council. 34, p. 8.
Professionalising investigation
Tong, S. 2009. Professionalising investigation. in: Tong, S., Bryant, R. and Horvarth, M. (ed.) Understanding Criminal Investigation Oxford, UK Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 197-216
Assessing performance: quantity or quality?
Tong, S. 2009. Assessing performance: quantity or quality? in: Tong, S., Bryant, R. and Horvarth, M. (ed.) Understanding Criminal Investigation Oxford, UK Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 135-171
Introduction: a brief history of criminal investigation
Tong, S. 2009. Introduction: a brief history of criminal investigation. in: Tong, S., Bryant, R. and Horvarth, M. (ed.) Understanding Criminal Investigation Oxford, UK Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 1-12
Police discretion: a British perspective
Tong, S. 2011. Police discretion: a British perspective. in: Palmiotto, M. and Unnithan, N. (ed.) Policing and Society: A Global Approach New York Cengage Learning.
Art, craft and science of detective work
Tong, S. and Bowling, B. 2006. Art, craft and science of detective work. The Police Journal. 79 (4), pp. 323-330. https://doi.org/10.1350/pojo.2006.79.4.323
Understanding criminal investigation
Tong, S., Bryant, R. and Horvath, M. Tong, S., Bryant, R. and Horvarth, M. (ed.) 2009. Understanding criminal investigation. Oxford, UK Wiley-Blackwell.
Future challenges in criminal investigation
Tong, S., Bryant, R. and Horvath, M. 2009. Future challenges in criminal investigation. in: Tong, S., Bryant, R. and Horvarth, M. (ed.) Understanding Criminal Investigation Oxford, UK Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 217-222
Criminal investigation in context
Tong, S., Bryant, R. and Horvath, M. 2009. Criminal investigation in context. in: Tong, S., Bryant, R. and Horvarth, M. (ed.) Understanding Criminal Investigation Oxford, UK Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 171-196
The future of initial police training: a university perspective
Wood, D. and Tong, S. 2009. The future of initial police training: a university perspective. International Journal of Police Science and Management. 11 (3), pp. 294-305. https://doi.org/10.1350/ijps.2009.11.3.131
To regionalize or not to regionalize? A study in the politics of policing in the Greater Vancouver regional district
Wood, D. 2007. To regionalize or not to regionalize? A study in the politics of policing in the Greater Vancouver regional district. Police Practice and Research. 8 (3), pp. 283-297. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614260701450781
Critical issues in rape investigation: a UK perspective
Tong, S., Horvath, M. and Williams, E. 2011. Critical issues in rape investigation: a UK perspective. The Journal of Criminal Justice Research. 1 (2), pp. 1-18.
Interagency policing
Tong, S. 2008. Interagency policing. in: Newburn, T. and Neyroud, P. (ed.) Dictionary of Policing Abingdon, UK Willan. pp. 148-149
Accountable, responsive and independent: on the need for balance in police governance
Wood, D. and MacAlister, D. 2005. Accountable, responsive and independent: on the need for balance in police governance. International Journal of Police Science and Management. 7 (3), pp. 197-207. https://doi.org/10.1350/ijps.2005.7.3.197