Learning the Lessons
Learning the Lessons aims to improve police policy and practice. It supports the police service to learn from our investigations and reviews into complaints and conduct matters. Each issue of the magazine focuses on a particular theme and brings together a series of case studies, including reflective questions for those working in policing. Learning the Lessons is for both frontline officers and staff, and those working in policy, learning or management roles in policing.
Alongside case studies, the magazine explores work happening across the IOPC, in local police forces, and in national organisations like the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council. The magazine is supported by:

Use the case factor table to find Learning the Lessons articles on specific themes or operational areas. Our force response log lists all the reflective questions we’ve asked across all issues of Learning the Lessons.

Read the latest issue
Learning the Lessons issue 42 focuses on custody. People working in custody have an extremely important and challenging role to play in policing. In 2022/23, 23 people died in or soon after police custody. In this issue, we explore learning around how we can prevent police-related deaths in future, and highlight important training, tools and resources to improve police policy and practice.Themes include deaths and near misses in custody, mental and physical healthcare, substance misuse, and children and young people.
Previous issues of Learning the Lessons are available on the National Archive.