assignment
Effective policing and law enforcement is crucial for public safety and requires continuous research and innovation, particularly in light of rapid technological advancements. During your internship at the German Police University (Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei), you will explore how modern policing can be improved through strategic innovations, addressing both psychological and operational aspects in various highly relevant areas of interest such as suspect interview standards, surveillance technology, and challenges in rural policing. You may of course also propose a specific research topic you have in mind and we will work out if it is a feasible. After consultation, you will investigate one of these topics in more detail.
Existing standards for police interviews and suspect line-ups are central aspects of criminal investigations, but their methods differ across jurisdictions. What are the current practices for police interviews and line-ups, and how do they vary between regions? Are these approaches effective in delivering fair and accurate results, or are there areas in need of improvement?
Besides that, the growing use of surveillance technology, such as CCTV, raises important questions regarding public safety and privacy. While CCTV is often promoted for enhancing security, the increasing reliance on such systems, particularly those incorporating AI, warrants a closer examination. How does the integration of AI-driven systems impact the ethical considerations of such surveillance measures? Together with your supervisors, you will assess how these technologies affect the efficiency of law enforcement operations, considering the potential privacy trade-offs associated with their widespread adoption.
Finally, rural policing presents unique challenges that differ significantly from those in urban environments. There is a clear research gap in understanding these issues, especially regarding community engagement and context-sensitive strategies. What specific challenges does the police face in rural areas compared to cities and which factors influence officers' motivation to work in rural regions? How do rural communities perceive crime, and what role do citizens play in supporting local law enforcement?
This internship will involve a comprehensive review of existing literature, identifying gaps in current knowledge and offering recommendations contributing to the ongoing efforts to refine evidence-based policing practices that enhance both operational efficiency and public trust.
Who are we?
The German Police University (Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei, DHPol) in Münster-Hiltrup is a state university funded by the interior ministries of the federal and state governments. On December 15, 2016, it was incorporated into the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia. It offers the two-year master's program "Public Administration – Police Management," which qualifies police officers from across the country for higher service. Starting in April 2024, DHPol also offers the part-time continuing education program "Public Governance and Democratic Resilience" for professionals and executives in security and municipal authorities. The university celebrated its 10th anniversary on March 1, 2016, and delivers comprehensive training for senior police service as well as research in all represented disciplines.
For more information about our university, please visit https://www.dhpol.de.
Requirements
- Motivation letter (max 1 A4)
- Police clearance certificate
- Confidentiality agreement
Availability
This internship is available for 1-3 student(s).
Interested?
Please contact the PCRS Coordinator Miriam Oostinga (m.s.d.oostinga@utwente.nl).