Treading the front-line: Tartanization and police-academic partnerships

Recognized as an International Leader in the development of Police Academic Collaborations, the Scottish Institute of Police Research has had a key role in contributing to evidence-based approaches in policing, supporting a strategic approach to innovation, as well as, contributing to education, professional development, and organizational learning. The aim of this article is to examine the particular relevance of this partnership in shaping both the recent professionalization and educational agenda of policing in Scotland. It will critically explore these collaborative efforts, particularly in relation to the development of Higher Educational Routes into the service and suggest that while there are benefits to this partnership approach, a co-operative rather than collaborative style emerged in this specific case study. The potential reasons for this co-operative approach as well as the implications for the development of Higher Education routes for police officers in Scotland will be discussed.