About

I am a lecturer in Policing, teaching on the Professional Policing degree.

With 19 years of experience in policing, I bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to enable students to understand the complexity of the policing landscape, facilitating learning and understanding.

Teaching responsibilities

I teach on a range of modules on the Professional Policing degree, covering all aspects of policing, including Serious and Organised Crime and Criminal Investigation. 

Research interests

I am interested in a range of policing-related research, including the application of research evidence into policing environments, how a coaching approach can be used in police leadership, and the use of coaching to improve resilience in police officers and staff.

Current research

Arts and Humanities Research Council - APP13159, ‘Orgreave: The Service Speaks’ A first narrative and visual history of the policing of the Orgreave miner’s strike. (Co-investigator)

'Using Group Coaching to Support Domestic Abuse Survivors to Build Confidence, Listening and Team Skills for the Future’ (Lead Investigator)

Membership of professional bodies

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) 2024
• Associate Certified Coach - International Coaching Federation, 2021
• Society of Evidence-Based Policing (SEBP), 2017

Qualifications

• BA (Hons) Psychology - University of Essex
• Post Graduate Certificate in Business and Personal Coaching - University of Chester 
• Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice and Leadership - University of Derby

Recent conferences

Moss, K., Grey, E., Richards, J., and Andrews, T. (2025, March) – ‘Echoes of Conflict: Police Perspectives on the Battle of Orgreave’. Paper presented at the Working with Memory: History, Storytelling and Practices of Remembrance, 2025 History and Archives in Practice Conference, London.

Richards, J. (2025, February) ‘Using Group Coaching to Support Domestic Abuse Survivors to Build Confidence, Listening and Team Skills for the Future’. Paper presented at the Change the System: Domestic Abuse Conference (Day 2), Birmingham.

Hammond, L. and Richards, J. (2025, February) ‘Police Perceptions of the Challenges of Investigating Domestic Abuse’. Paper presented at the Change the System: Domestic Abuse Conference (Day 2), Birmingham.

Hammond, L., Fraga Dominguez, S., Williams, J. and Richards, J. (2024, July) ‘Seeking to Drive Change Through the Incorporation of Lived Experience: An Example for Domestic Abuse’. Paper presented at the European Association of Psychology and Law Conference, Lisbon, Portugal.

Hammond, L., Fraga Dominguez, S., Williams, J. and Richards, J. (2023, September) ‘Addressing barriers to justice and identifying what works for women affected by domestic abuse’. Paper presented at the Scientific Committee of the European Conference on Domestic Violence (ECDV 2023), Reykjavik, Iceland.

Richards, J., and Hammond, L. (2023, July) 'Using Novel Pedagogies for Encouraging Police Engagement with Academic Research'. Paper presented at the Learning and Teaching Conference 2023- Pedagogy in Practice, University of Derby, Derby.

Richards J., and Hammond, L. (2022) 'Using Novel Pedagogies for Encouraging Police Engagement with Academic Research'. Paper presented at the Exceptional Policing - The Evidence Based Way 2022 Online Global Conference, Online.

Richards, J. (2021, April).  'How coaching can build resilience'. Paper presented at the Open University - Centre for Policing Research and Learning Annual Conference: Resilience in Policing and Publics, Milton Keynes.

Experience in industry

I have 19 years of experience in policing, bringing a wealth of experience and skills from leading in fast-paced strategic and operational environments.

I worked at Constable, Sergeant and Inspector ranks, in various roles including frontline response and investigations.

I built and maintained the Evidence-Based Policing portfolio at West Midlands Police, facilitating the application of research evidence into policing practice, and commissioning and managing research into key strategic areas.

I was a Steering Group member at the Open University Centre for Policing Research and Learning from 2018-2022.

Additional interests and activities

I am a qualified and accredited coach with the International Coaching Federation. I have experience of coaching teams and individuals to achieve their full potential, across different industries. I am passionate about coaching and helping others to improve their leadership skills, manage through change and build their confidence. 

Recent publications

Hammond, L., Fraga Dominguez, S., & Richards, J. (2025). Seeking to Be Heard: Reflections on the Value of a Partnership Approach to Involving Victims in the Development of Domestic Abuse Policy and Practice. Behavioral Sciences, 15(7), 960. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15070960

Richards, J., & Hammond, L. (2025) Innovative Approaches to Embedding Evidence-Based Policing, Supporting Police Learning and Continuing Professional Development (In preparation).

Reichel, R., Cole, T., Cooper M., Richards, J., & Davies, K. (2024) An Exploratory Analysis of Stalking Behaviours: Impact on Victim Reporting Time (In preparation).

Hammond, L., & Richards, J, (2023). Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Barriers to Community Engagement and Suggestions for Improving Police-Public Relations. Report for West Midlands Police.

Richards, J., & Hughes, C. (2022) Special Educational Needs and Disability: the gap in protecting the young and vulnerable. Evaluation for the Safe and Sound Charity, Derby.