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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The Cumbria spree killing
T2 - how mobility affects the policing of critical incidents
AU - Kirby, Stuart
AU - Graham, Jerry
AU - Green, Michelle
N1 - "This article is (c) Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here http://eprints.lancaster.ac.uk Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited."
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Purpose – Spree killing impacts significantly on emergency services and is becoming more prevalent across the world. The purpose of this paper is to explore the Cumbrian spree killing, which resulted in the fatal shooting of 12 people with a further 11 wounded. This study highlights why these events are so difficult to manage in an attempt to assist policy makers and practitioners deal with them more effectively.Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative methodology was used, examining open source information and internal police documentation. This was supported by semi-structured interviews with command staff (three), and questionnaires involving a representative group of police staff (11), who were all deployed on the incident.Findings – This case study mirrored the characteristics of many other spree killings. The sophistication of the killer, together with the speed of mobility, significantly increases the challenges posed to the police, specifically in terms of: deployment, decision making, interoperability and managing the media. Further, it questions the effectiveness of normal command and control management approaches that are typically used in these situations.Practical implications – Spree killing (active shooter) events are increasing across the globe. This study highlights the critical challenges to be dealt with. It argues a more innovative inter-agency paradigm is needed to deal with crimes in action.Originality/value – There are few academic papers in relation to spree killing. This paper analyses the factors that impact upon the effectiveness of the police response.
AB - Purpose – Spree killing impacts significantly on emergency services and is becoming more prevalent across the world. The purpose of this paper is to explore the Cumbrian spree killing, which resulted in the fatal shooting of 12 people with a further 11 wounded. This study highlights why these events are so difficult to manage in an attempt to assist policy makers and practitioners deal with them more effectively.Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative methodology was used, examining open source information and internal police documentation. This was supported by semi-structured interviews with command staff (three), and questionnaires involving a representative group of police staff (11), who were all deployed on the incident.Findings – This case study mirrored the characteristics of many other spree killings. The sophistication of the killer, together with the speed of mobility, significantly increases the challenges posed to the police, specifically in terms of: deployment, decision making, interoperability and managing the media. Further, it questions the effectiveness of normal command and control management approaches that are typically used in these situations.Practical implications – Spree killing (active shooter) events are increasing across the globe. This study highlights the critical challenges to be dealt with. It argues a more innovative inter-agency paradigm is needed to deal with crimes in action.Originality/value – There are few academic papers in relation to spree killing. This paper analyses the factors that impact upon the effectiveness of the police response.
KW - active shooter
KW - command and control
KW - critical incidents
KW - inter-operability
KW - spree killing
U2 - 10.1108/IJES-12-2013-0026
DO - 10.1108/IJES-12-2013-0026
M3 - Journal article
VL - 3
SP - 34
EP - 48
JO - International Journal of Emergency Services
JF - International Journal of Emergency Services
SN - 2047-0894
IS - 1
ER -