Purpose. There is a surprising lack of underpinning evidence relating to how police specialism is conceived and operationalised nationally. The study aimed to shed light on the development of specialism, adding valuable insights towards academic and police knowledge on the topic. Methodology. Exploratory research was conducted to draw evidence on police specialism in England and Wales according to publications in the literature and the first-hand accounts of high-ranking police officers. A total of 57 documents and 10 officers' accounts were thematically analysed. Five main themes have been identified, relating to the development, impact and barriers of specialist units, knowledge and training.
Findings. Socio-cultural, policy-based, and historical information that contributed to the development of specialism in the police in their contemporary form were highlighted. The conceptual triggers for the institution of most specialist units were disasters and modernisation. In both cases, police forces were faced with the inability of keeping up with emerging threats and criminal techniques developments. Some exceptions apply, with the specialism of sex offence investigations still being underdeveloped and underfunded. There is also evidence that specialism can impact on police efficacy, and that the specialist knowledge of officers working for within specialist units is frequently inferred – rather than measured.
Potential advantages and challenges of police specialism were reviewed, to understand what specialism looks like based on policing needs and concerns. Originality. This was the first study of its kind that investigated how police specialism is conceived, instituted, and prioritised in England and Wales.