The Institute of Criminology holds an annual international conference on Evidence Based Policing, Chaired by Professor Lawrence Sherman in association with the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) and the Society for Evidence Based Policing (SEBP).

Nick Gargan joined the NPIA in January 2010, having previously served as Assistant Chief Constable in Thames Valley Police, responsible for crime and criminal justice and, before that, local policing.

At the NPIA he was initially Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive until stepping up to the role of Chief Executive in September 2010. As Chief Executive, Nick is a member of ACPO Cabinet and Council as well as the High Level Working Group on Police Value for Money. He is the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the Information Systems Improvement Strategy as well as for the IMPACT Programme – delivering the Police National Database to policing in response to Lord Bichard’s recommendation. He leads on supplier engagement for the police service, in partnership with the Home Office Commercial Directorate.

Nick’s police career began in Leicestershire Constabulary in 1988, fresh from a degree in French and Politics at the University of Leicester. He served in a variety of uniform and detective roles in and around Leicester before commencing a 3 year secondment to the National Criminal Intelligence Service in 1995. During his secondment he was based both in London and Paris. In Paris, he worked extensively in support of the investigation into the death of the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed – subsequently giving evidence at the inquest.

On his return to Leicestershire in 1998, Nick performed a variety of roles including Detective Superintendent, Head of Crime Squads and Basic Command Unit Commander for Leicestershire East area. He transferred to Thames Valley Police at the beginning of 2006. Nick is an enthusiastic and eternally optimistic follower of Leicester City Football Club. He is regularly to be seen waving a flag in his capacity as Referee’s Assistant during Leicestershire Youth League games involving his son and daughter. He also enjoys running, cycling and is nurturing the beginnings of a love of opera.

He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the 2012 New Year’s Honours list.

The 5th conference was held at the Sidgwick site at the Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge, on 9-11 July 2012.