Re:2, I've know people who work for the police in the Uk, and from the stories I've heard, the police have absolutely no respect for any civilian's opinion.
Statistician telling cops they're spending all their resources on the wrong thing? Got facts and figures to show that throwing more uniforms at a problem won't help?
They won't listen and then will tell you that you don't understand policing.
Well, I wouldn't expect to walk in there and tell everyone what to do. I'd have to do my research first, i.e. study criminology, learn about the field, work with them.
Statistician telling cops they're spending all their resources on the wrong thing? Got facts and figures to show that throwing more uniforms at a problem won't help?
They won't listen and then will tell you that you don't understand policing.