A former police officer with more than three decades of experience, including senior leadership roles in counter-terrorism, organised crime and homicide, has been appointed as a Professor of Practice by the Keele Policing Academic Collaboration (KPAC) to support their ongoing research.

Stan Gilmour started out as a patrol officer for Thames Valley Police in 1993 and went on to become the Director of the force’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU). The unit was hailed as one of the most successful in the country under his leadership, which centered on using data and information to map out the risk landscape and identify areas for collaboration across sectors.

Regarded as a pioneering 'pracademic' among police officers, Stan is widely published in areas of policing, organised crime, counter terrorism and professional standards. Stan has also been a guest lecturer at universities in the UK and overseas.

A Senior Associate Fellow with The Police Foundation, Stan was a member of the College of Policing’s Neighbourhood Guidelines and Problem-Solving Guidelines Committees, helping to create a coordinated approach to evidence-based policing. Stan is the national lead for data sharing and analysis for the violence reduction network and is an ambassador for Administrative Data Research UK.

Stan said: "I am honoured to have been appointed to this post. KPAC is at the forefront of research and collaboration in policing and I intend to do all I can to support its continued development as an authoritative and active voice in evidence-based practice."

The Keele Policing Academic Collaboration (KPAC) brings together one of the UK’s most significant academic policing research collaborations focused on partnerships between academics and regional, national and international policing partners.

Professor Clifford Stott MBE, Director of KPAC, said: "Stan brings with him a wealth of real-world experience and a range of expertise that will support and enhance our research. 

"Through his successful policing career and his research and numerous publications, Stan can navigate both worlds, which is a very beneficial skillset. This appointment opens up new opportunities for KPAC to grow, develop and will allow us to link in with new networks on a national and international level."