David Knowles

Background

About David Knowles

I am a full-time PhD researcher, studying the impact of VR Problem-Based Learning on police sexual misconduct. I am based at the University of Portsmouth, funded by the ESRC and supported by the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership. My other research interests include extremism, radicalisation, terrorism and neighbourhood policing. Previously: 2021 – 2024: Lecturer in Policing at the University of Portsmouth, responsible for teaching Ethics in Policing, Counter-Terrorism Policing and Community Policing. 2020 - 2021: Home Office Counter-Extremism Coordinator preventing hate crime, knife crime and Violence Against Women & Girls. Created teaching resources including ‘Your Choice Matters’ an immersive PBL scenario prompting community responses to knife crime & hate crime plus 'Inspirational Voices', an anti-racism film in partnership with Portsmouth FC (see projects below). 2019 - 2020: Studied for MSc (Distinction) in Criminal Psychology, with a dissertation examining radicalisation of the violent right including a model of British far-right radicalisation. Before this I was a police officer for 30 years, serving in numerous roles including: 2017 - 2019: Managed neighbourhood police teams in Portsmouth; 2013 - 2016: Prevent lead for Hampshire Constabulary, responsible for the prevention of terrorism and extremism across Hampshire & the Isle of Wight. 2009 - 2013: National lead for preventing extremism and terrorism within schools, colleges and universities, seconded to the National Prevent Delivery Unit; I wrote national guidance for police who work with each sector and produced resources and lesson plans for use by police officers and teachers. Following the murder of Fuselier Lee Rigby, I was the author of police reports submitted to the Prime Minister's Extremism Task Force on behalf of ACPO(TAM). I advised Governments and police forces across the world on strategies, tactics & operational activity to tackle extremism (incl. USA, Canada, Norway, EU nations). 2005 - 2008: led a team which reduced crime by 42% in 3 years and received nominations for the international police problem solving 'Tilley Award' & 'Goldstein Award'.