Salus Journal

Introduction to Salus Journal

Welcome to Salus Journal Issue 12 No. 1. This current issue tackles global challenges and offers insightful perspectives including articles on terrorism financing, surveillance powers, police recruit training, and estimating criminal populations.

Salus Journal is proud to maintain its interdisciplinary and international coverage. With contributors representing diverse global perspectives, from both the global South and North, the journal offers unique insights and methodologies. From national security to crime and control, emergency management, and justice studies, our exploration spans a broad spectrum, offering valuable perspectives on contemporary challenges and opportunities.

The issue features four original research articles.

Monsurat Isiaka and Usman A. Ojedokun address the dearth of empirical research on the purported link between terrorism financing and kidnapping in northern Nigeria. Investigating the involvement of Boko Haram members in kidnapping, interviews with 27 apprehended suspects reveal a strategic shift towards this tactic due to diminishing external support. The findings highlight the pressing need for comprehensive strategies to counter both the financing and recruitment methods of terrorist organizations in the region.

Brendan Walker-Munro, Ruby Ioannou, and David Mount scrutinize Australia's use of intrusive computer surveillance powers, emphasizing the need for robust safeguards and the consideration of suspects' privacy. By exploring legislative frameworks enabling such actions, the authors highlight the potential infringement on the privacy of individuals not yet proven guilty. They propose moderate law reform options to address these identified shortcomings and urge agencies to exercise mindfulness in their use of these powers.

Sean Leech, Brett Shipton, and Troy Whitford address the historical dominance of marksmanship-focused firearm training in global police/law enforcement organizations. Criticized for its inadequacy in preparing recruits for critical incidents, the authors present an ongoing doctoral study evaluating the effectiveness of a reality-based training program. Early results show promise in enhancing participants' threat responses and operational performance.

Razik Ridzuan Mohd Tajuddin and Noriszura Ismail attend to the recent surge of interest among researchers in estimating the size of the criminal population through their bibliometric analysis. It aims to identify the trends of publications and the top relevant sources and key authors involved in estimating the size of the criminal population. The results from the bibliometric analysis revealed that the idea of estimating the size of the criminal population is still vibrant and eye-catching.

In addition to original research articles, this issue features a book review by Samantha Jones. Samantha reviewed Gods, Guns, and Sedition by Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware. The book looks at the rise of far-right extremism in the US, tracing its history over 40 years and linking it to factors like political polarization, social tribalism, and the proliferation of guns and militias. Samantha’s insightful review appreciates the authors' policy recommendations and emphasizes the urgent need for action, echoing their concerns about the challenges of countering far-right extremism.

This issue of Salus Journal explores pressing contemporary issues across different contexts. It explores the challenges of counterterrorism strategies in Nigeria, the implications of expanded surveillance powers in Australia, methods for improving the efficacy of police recruit training, complexities of estimating criminal populations, and the rise of far-right extremism in the United States. The articles contained within this Issue underscore the need for comprehensive approaches to address these multifaceted challenges and advocate for urgent policy changes to safeguard privacy, counter extremism, and improve security measures.

Once again, we express our sincere appreciation to the authors whose invaluable contributions have made this issue a reality. Their commitment, expertise, and enthusiasm in advancing scholarly discourse are truly commendable, and we take great pride in featuring their work in Salus Journal.

We also extend our gratitude to the exceptional peer reviewers who generously dedicated their time, expertise, and attention to detail. Their commitment to upholding the highest standards of academic rigor and impartiality has greatly enriched the quality of the journal, and we deeply appreciate their invaluable contributions.

Last but not least, we thank our production editor Mark Filmer for making this issue of Salus Journal happen, and our technical guru Patrick McKenzie for keeping our systems running smoothly.

The collaborative efforts in this issue push the boundaries of knowledge, aim to influence practice, and challenge our perspectives. Salus Journal is proud to foster a dynamic academic community committed to excellence, offering perspectives relevant to industry stakeholders. Thank you for reading, and we look forward to the next issue in October 2024.

Joint Editors-in-Chief,

Dr Jamie Ferrill & Dr Kristy Campion