Research and development planning

One of our statutory tasks is to carry out applied research and development. Its aim is to support the planning and development of police activities and internal security as well as our teaching. 

We usually carry out research and development activities as projects, which we manage as a strategic whole. Polamk’s strategic policies define the priorities for planning RDI (research, development and innovation) activities.

We make an annual performance agreement with the National Police Board, in which we agree on the key objectives for RDI activities for the coming year. At the same time, we record the production targets for RDI activities and external funding in the budget. RDI indicators are mainly related to project and publication activities. Some of the key figures are the same as those used by other higher education institutions. The performance agreement objectives for RDI activities are included in our operational plan.

At the initial stage of the evaluation, the Chief of the RDI Unit reflects on project proposals and RDI initiatives from the perspectives of internal security, the police strategy, and Polamk’s strategic policies. The evaluation also takes into account Polamk’s annual objectives and operational plans.

The RDI preparatory group examines the resource requirements for implementing the initiatives and the resources available. The group also assesses the lifecycle impacts of projects that may arise from the initiatives.

The Education and Research Steering Group, and if necessary Polamk’s Management Group, evaluate the proposals within their respective areas. Decisions on projects are made by the Director of Education and Research for national projects and by the Director for international projects. Some project proposals are evaluated within the National Police Board’s project process in accordance with the police project management guidelines.

During the planning phase for individual projects, we take into account such factors as the need for an ethical preliminary assessment, the requirements of data protection legislation (e.g. impact assessments), matters concerning the openness of materials and publications, and the perspectives of the ownership, communication and utilisation of data. 

Project work is supported by a project handbook, which brings together the principles, procedures and instructions of our project work.