In August 2002, the Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies (TILES) was established by the University of Tasmania and the Department of Police and Public Safety (DPPS) with the aim of providing an improved research base for law enforcement, not just in Tasmania, but throughout Australia. It was located within the School of Government, Faculty of Arts, and its formation reflected widening collaboration between the University of Tasmania and State agencies in general, strengthened by the Partnership Agreement between the University and State Government.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the formation of the Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies (TILES) was signed by Professor Rudi Lidl (Acting Vice Chancellor, UTAS) and Richard McCreadie (Commissioner, Tasmania Police) on 19th August 2002. The recital in the MOU stated:

In line with these intentions and objectives, both sides decide to establish a research institute – Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies (TILES).  The Institute will undertake relevant research and research training and become active in promoting research and research training in law enforcement for other state and national and international clients.

In July 2003, after an international search process, Associate Professor Roberta Julian, formerly of the School of Sociology and Social Work at UTAS, was appointed as the first Director of TILES.

The establishment of TILES reflected:

• Opportunities for attracting research funding (national and international), especially for collaborative and inter-disciplinary research responding to the needs of law enforcement agencies and community groups;
• Experience of successful collaboration between the University and the DPPS in teaching, especially in the development of the Bachelor of Social Science (Police Studies) degree (from 2000), RHD projects and full fee paying postgraduate awards at the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters of Police Studies (from 2001);
• Research expertise and research excellence available at the University, especially in the Faculty of Arts, in the areas of policing, public policy-making, criminology, international relations, sociology, social geography, law, philosophy, history and information systems;
• Research needs and priorities of DPPS, in particular, in the areas relevant for contemporary and future policing practice;
• Strong support for the initiatives related to the Partnership Agreement between the University of Tasmania and the State Government. TILES follows the spirit of this agreement and enhances the collaboration between the two institutions;
• Recognition of common interests in the areas of law enforcement research and advanced training. The DPPS stresses the need for evidence-based research that helps in responding to challenges in contemporary law enforcement, and preparing law enforcement agencies for effective policing in the 21st century;
• Support for the Tasmania Together initiative sponsored by the State Government, in particular: ‘to have a community where people feel safe and are safe in all aspects of their lives’ (Goal 2).

In its initial phase, the TILES governance structure included a Board of Directors and a Management Committee. An Interim Board, chaired by the Commissioner of Police, was in place until the beginning of 2005. Towards the end of 2004, Sir Max Bingham was invited by the Commissioner to take on the position of Chair. He agreed to take up this position and was instrumental in establishing the Board of Directors and providing guidance and direction in the early development of the Institute. The initial Board of Directors included representation from community, business, university and government sectors. Its membership was:

• Sir Max Bingham, QC (Chair)
• Mr Richard McCreadie (Commissioner of Police, Tasmania)
• Professor Andrew Glenn, Pro Vice Chancellor (Research), UTAS
• Associate Professor Marcus Haward, Head, School of Government, UTAS
• Mr Jack Johnston, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tasmania
• Professor Jan Pakulski, Dean, Faculty of Arts, UTAS
• Ms Linda Hornsey, Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Tasmania
• Ms Joanne Blackburn, First Assistant Secretary, Australian Government Attorney General’s Department, Criminal Justice Division, ACT
• Mr Rudie Sypkes, Sypkes Group Managing Director
• Ms Margie O’Rourke, Area General Manager, Telstra

The initial Management Committee comprised:

• Director – A/Prof Roberta Julian
• Associate Director (Honorary)– A/Prof. Lorraine Mazerolle, Griffith University
• Academic Co-ordinator (appointed by UTAS) – Dr Rob Hall
• Administrative Co-ordinator (appointed by DPPS) – Inspector Matthew Richman

In 2006, Sir Max Bingham retired as Chair of the Board and Mr Richard Bingham (Secretary, Department of Justice, Tasmania) took on this position until 2009. In 2006 Professor Jenny Fleming was appointed as a Senior Research Fellow at TILES. She was appointed as Director of the Institute in 2009 and held this position until the end of 2011. In 2012, Associate Professor Julian again took up the position of Director. 

The Institute’s activities are framed by the following statements:

Vision

To achieve an international reputation for excellence in law enforcement research.

Mission

To conduct and promote evidence based research to improve the quality of law enforcement and enhance community safety.

Since its establishment, TILES has grown into a well-performing research institute with a sound reputation for high quality research both nationally and internationally. The Institute undertakes specific research tasks for Tasmania Police and other law enforcement agencies and competes for nationally competitive research grants. It seconds researchers from Tasmania Police to assist with research, as well as drawing upon expertise from the University community and research staff recruited for specific projects. Academic staff members have supervised HDR students in a wide range of policing-related areas of research.

In 2016, the Institute’s research focuses on the following themes:

• Forensic Studies
• Policing Vulnerable Populations
• Drug and Alcohol Law Enforcement
• Interagency Collaboration
• Policing and the Media
• Risk Assessment

TILES is distinctive in that it continues to be the only research institute in Australia that has been established through a partnership between a university and an Australian police organisation. As such, it is a significant institution in the development of a national landscape that supports the ongoing professionalisation of policing in Australia.

More information can be found on the TILES website.