University launches Policing Institute

Bondholder University of Derby’s International Policing & Justice Institute officially launched at the conference — ‘Effective Interventions in Transnational Human Trafficking‘ — which took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 23-24 November 2015.

Over 100 delegates from seven countries attended the conference that was organised by the University of Derby and the Institute, which was hosted by the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP).

The line-up of high profile speakers included Kevin Hyland, the UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner; Paul Broadbent, Chief Executive, Gangmasters Licensing Authority, Professor Rod Dubrow-Marshall, University of Derby’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Dr Linda Dubrow-Marshall, Lecturer in Applied Psychology, University of Salford. There were also speakers from the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNHCR (the UN’s refugee agency), Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Armed Forces and the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia.

The two-day conference — comprising keynote presentations, seminars and group discussions — considered the extent of this growing worldwide problem and examined practical interventions and actions that could be employed by governments around the world to stem the proliferation of the illegal trade in people.

The conference culminated in the drafting of the Cheras Declaration — prepared by Professor Kevin Bampton (Director of the International Policing & Justice Institute) — a commitment that, once formalised, governments around the world will be encouraged to sign up to.

Commenting on the conference and the launch of the Institute, director Professor Kevin Bampton said: “The Institute brings together under one banner a diverse range of expertise in the field of international policing and justice. Our lecturers include former and serving senior police personnel, who together with highly qualified academics provide world-class education, whilst undertaking applied academic research.

“The real strength of the Institute is that it draws on extensive academic research and significant on-the-ground practitioner experiences, which is unique in this arena, and it was entirely appropriate that the conference on human trafficking was chosen as one of the official launch events.”

The outcome of the conference will not only lead to a series of academic papers but will inform and enhance practical applications that will help law enforcement agencies around the world to stem the flow of this illegal trade in human life.