Recent federal legislation and numerous public policy debates have relied heavily on estimates of the number of police agencies and police officers in the USA. Historically, these estimates have been problematic, varying tremendously over time, across different sources, and using different methodologies. Currently, the two main sources of agency‐level data for estimating these numbers are the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports and the Census Bureau’s Law Enforcement Directory Survey. While there is a great deal of overlap between these two databases, each contains thousands of departments not listed in the other. Also, among those departments listed in one or more of these databases, there is tremendous variation in the number of police officers recorded. While some of the disparity can be explained by banal differences in counting and record‐keeping methods, much is rooted in differing definitions of what constitutes a “police officer” and a “police agency”. In this study, we closely examine both databases in an effort to account for the differences between them. In addition, we introduce a new data source derived from the records of the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). Based on a thorough exploration of all three databases, we discuss the impact of their differences on criminal justice policy and police research. We first develop our own estimate of the number of police departments and police officers in the USA that differs substantially from other current estimates. We then estimate the number of police officers that the COPS office and future evaluators should use as the baseline for measuring the Clinton Administration’s success at adding 100,000 officers to the streets of America. Finally, we offer a modest set of recommendations for achieving greater uniformity across separate police agency databases.

Evidence of declining well-being and increasing rates of depression and other mental illnesses has been linked with modern humans’ separation from nature. Landscapes become therapeutic when physical and built environments, social conditions, and human perceptions combine. Highlighting the contextual factors underpinning this separation from nature, this chapter outlines three Australian case studies to illustrate the links between therapeutic landscapes, restorative environments, place attachment, and well-being. Case study 1, a quantitative study of 452 park users near Melbourne, Victoria, focuses on place attachment and explored the links between pro-environmental behaviour and psychological well-being. Case study 2, a small pilot mixed-methods study in a rural area of Victoria, explores the restorative potential of hands-on nature-based activities for people suffering depression, anxiety, and social isolation. Case study 3, a qualitative study of users’ experiences of accessing hospital gardens in Melbourne, highlights improved emotional states and social connections.

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Purpose Knowledge about learning disabilities has found to be limited in both health and social care staff. To improve the treatment of individuals with learning disabilities and mental health problems within the criminal justice system (CJS), Lord Bradley recommends that professionals receive mental health and learning disability awareness training. However, little is known about the impact of training on the knowledge of professionals in the CJS. This study aims to investigate the impact of a 3-h learning disability training session on the knowledge of probation officers. Design/methodology/approach Using a repeated measures design, the impact of a 3-h learning disability training session on the knowledge of 12 probation officers was analysed. Findings In support of this study’s hypothesis, a repeated measures t-test revealed a significant difference between participants pre-training and post-training learning disability knowledge questionnaire (LDKQ) scores. Participants scored significantly higher on the LDKQ post-training compared to pre-training. A linear regression revealed that years worked in probation did not significantly predict participant’s difference scores. Research limitations/implications Limitations of this study and directions for future studies are discussed. Originality/value This paper demonstrates that learning disability training can significantly improve the knowledge of probation officers.

Within Australia food insecurity affects an estimated 4 million people annually. Health promotion degrees traditionally prepare pre-service graduates to address food insecurity from a social determinants perspective, little consideration of integrating ecological determinants, however, has been noted. This is a significant problem considering unprecedented environmental challenges facing future food production. Education for sustainability (EfS) is purported to develop graduates who can respond to significant sustainability issues in the 21st century. This study examined the potential for health promotion degrees to utilize EfS to address food insecurity through an ecological lens. The study also illustrates why it might be valuable for academics to use such an approach. Semi-structured interviews with 15 Australian health and sustainability academics and document analysis of 26 associated teaching units was undertaken. Thematic analysis informed the data analysis process to provide meaning and insight into emerging themes. Academics were unaware of EfS or its potential for developing ecologically literate graduates. A lack of university commitment towards sustainability and knowledge and skills to implement EfS were identified as potential barriers. Academics, however, were ascribing to the central tenets used in EfS such as interdisciplinary thinking and reflective practice, demonstrating its potential use in health promotion. EfS, as a framework for incorporating an ecological perspective into health promotion degrees has not been fully realized. This study suggests capacity building of academics with regard to the use of EfS as an approach within health promotion degrees to address significant sustainability issues in the 21st century, such as food insecurity.