Innovating Policing with Thames Valley Police’s Behavioural Science Unit

In October 2022, Thames Valley Police took a pioneering step as the first police force in the UK to launch its own Behavioural Science Unit (BSciU). This initiative enhances our understanding of human behaviour and significantly impacts policing, aiming to create lasting positive changes in how we operate, improve wellbeing, and optimise the work environment. 

Housed within the Innovation Hub in Governance & Service Improvement, the BSciU is dedicated to identifying specific internal behaviours, patterns, biases, and motivations. The team comprises specialists with diverse qualifications in education, leadership, organisational change, mental health, and policing. By applying evidence-based behavioural science principles, the BSciU strives to enhance the quality of life for officers, staff, and the communities we serve. This approach ultimately benefits the public by ensuring more effective and responsive policing. 

Niki Ward, a Behavioural Science Specialist who has been with the team since its inception, explains: 

“Behavioural science is an exciting and vital piece of the organisational puzzle in policing. By focusing on behaviour change, we can optimise performance and drive sustainable results. This not only enhances employee productivity and fosters a positive work environment but also directly impacts how we serve the community. When our officers and staff are supported and motivated, they are better equipped to engage positively with the public.” 

What makes TVP’s BSciU particularly unique is its inward focus, working directly with employees to improve their working lives. This focus on internal improvement translates to better service for the public, as happier, more motivated officers can engage more effectively with the communities they serve. 

Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs, the regional science and innovation lead, highlights the public benefits: 

“I’m incredibly proud that Thames Valley Police has the skill and expertise of a behavioural science team. The insights provided by our Behavioural Science Unit have been instrumental in shaping how we communicate and embed our priorities across the force and within the communities we serve. Their work not only improves our operational efficiency but also enhances the wellbeing of our entire workforce, leading to better public interactions and outcomes. 

“Already they have contributed significantly to projects such as developing the ‘Leadership Standards’, embedding change management for the force restructure, our ‘Stop Search’ process and the importance of one-to-ones. These initiatives ensure our officers are well-prepared and capable of addressing community needs effectively.” 

The BSciU has conducted impactful and meaningful work, including: 

• Creating TVP’s Leadership Standards: The unit focused on what our people want from leadership, emphasising person-centred support over performance metrics. This focus has improved officer wellbeing, retention, performance, and diversity, resulting in more effective and empathetic policing. 

• Exploring Neurodiversity in Policing: By researching and interviewing neurodiverse colleagues, BSciU identified unique behaviours, challenges, and strengths of these individuals. This research aims to inform policy change and initiate improvements that support all officers in serving the public better. 

• Supporting Teams through Change: Collaborating with leaders, BSciU explores how to support teams through force-wide changes, ensuring officers remain focused on community service while managing their own wellbeing. 

• Enhancing the Working Environment: BSciU examined the impact of the physical environment on staff wellbeing and performance, implementing changes that improve sleep and recuperation on rest days, thereby helping prepare officers to efficiently serve communities on their shift. 

Similar initiatives in other organisations, such as the use of behavioural science in healthcare to reduce the number of missed appointments and improve how patients manage their medication, demonstrate the potential for such approaches to bring about positive change.  

Looking ahead, the BSciU aims to bring about more positive transformations by horizon scanning to assess the behaviours required of our workforce to increase trust and confidence in our communities, exploring career pathways to inspire the next generation, and ensuring all officers and staff are heard by senior leaders. 

Now two years since the unit’s formation, Thames Valley Police celebrates the significant strides made in enhancing public service through behavioural science. By valuing our employees and utilising these principles, we are setting new standards in policing, enhancing trust and confidence within the community. The unit’s work supports the continued work towards our vision of becoming an excellent police force trusted by all our communities, ensuring Thames Valley Police remains a leader in innovative public service.