The Centre was the first centre of excellence launched by the Institute of Mental Health in 2011. Its work is focused on research and development in partnership with justice agencies. The Centre is the lead and founder member of the Better Policing Collaborative (BPC), a partnership of universities and constabularies focused on evidence-based policing.

The Centre brings together practice, research and policy in justice-related healthcare and, through the BPC, the full range of policing challenge areas. The Centre’s emphasis is on practically designed research and evaluation that matches the practicalities and realities of policing today. Lead for the Centre for Health and Justice is Professor Eddie Kane.