Ian McNeill joins the Centre

Ian McNeill joined the Centre for Policing Research and Learning (CPRL) as Senior Lecturer CPD Development in Policing in February 2022.  Here we learn a little more about both his new role and about Ian himself.

What is Ian’s role all about?

Ian’s focus will be to design, develop and deliver a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio in the field of policing. He will be working with others to shape the approach and the design and delivery of CPD in Policing, liaise with police forces and other policing-relevant agencies, help design and develop online teaching materials and project manage conversion of existing OU teaching materials to online learning. There will be a particular emphasis on leadership and management studies in the first phase of the CPD work. 

I am really excited about my new role and the work of the Centre. I am passionate about policing, continuous professional development, and education. As an ex senior police officer and qualified nurse, I really understand the importance and challenges of keeping up to date as a busy professional.

Ian McNeill

Ian's professional background

Professional Regulation

Before joining the Open University, Ian worked at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) where he was Head of Investigations. There he led a team of 160 investigators reviewing the professional conduct of nurses and midwives referred to them from across the UK. 

Prior to this he was the Head of the Regional Liaison Service at the General Medical Council (GMC). His work there included leading the development and delivery of a national programme of continuous professional development courses to the medical profession. These proactive, preventative learning programmes were specifically developed to change professional behaviours to reduce patient harm and unnecessary referrals to the medical regulator.

I spent nearly ten years working in professional regulation with doctors, nurses and midwives at all stages of their careers and learnt a great deal about how important CPD is in keeping them safe and effective at work but also how essential it is that the learning opportunities provided are relevant, credible and accessible.

Ian McNeill

Police officer

Ian spent 28 years as a police officer with 11 years as a Chief Superintendent. He held senior posts at local, regional and national level. His last role was Head of Criminal Justice. Other posts include Senior Investigating Officer (Homicide & Major Crime), Area Commander, Chief of Staff to Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Head of Corporate Development and lead for East Midlands Regional Collaboration.

As a senior officer, he was a gold & silver public order, firearms and major incident commander as well as being a nationally accredited senior investigating officer (SIO). He obtained a Master’s degree in Police Leadership and Management from Manchester University in 1994 and retained a keen interest in the influence of leadership on culture. Ian served as the LGBT lead on the NEC of the Superintendents Association of England and Wales.

Recent events and reports highlight a significant need for training and professional development for all those providing policing services. Over the coming weeks I will be working with our CPRL partners and other organisations such as the College of Policing to identify the priorities for our CPD offering.

Ian McNeill

Health professional

Ian qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1988 and spent just over 5 years in the NHS before joining the police service. He is currently studying to become a psychotherapist and he has a particular interest in how best to support staff working in the police service and NHS with complex PTSD and providing their managers the tools to prevent and reduce the impact of incidents on those they lead.

I think there is a real opportunity for policing to learn from other public services and in particular healthcare. My experience working within both should assist me to synthesize the best from both systems.

Ian McNeill

Research interests

Ian has several research interests including leadership, organisational culture and providing leaders with the practical tools to influence cultures and professional behaviours positively. Additionally psychological safety, diversity and inclusion, resilience, complex PTSD and behavioural change strategies.