Mike Ledwidge has served as a police officer for 28 years, and is currently Head of Youth Affairs.  Mike became a restorative justice practitioner in 1997 and a trainer in 1999.  He has delivered training to members of a number of public services and community members around the UK, such as:

• police officers
• civilian support staff
• probation officers
• Youth Offending Teams (YOTs), 
• criminal justice professionals
• teachers
• social workers
• children's home staff
• Pupil Referral Units (PRUs)

Mike was invited by the Attorney General in Chihuahua, Mexico to train lawyers, psychologists and criminal justice experts in that country. He currently provides a county-wide restorative training programme for Surrey Schools, and for children in care.

Mike's work as a practitioner occurs inside and outside of the police service, and not only criminal matters but also:

• domestic disputes
• business disputes
• workplace conflict
• staff reconciliation
• bullying and exclusion issues in schools

Mike's first degree is in statistics and systems management. His masters degree project was on the introduction and ecological development of restorative practices in public services.

After retiring from the police service at the end of May 2006, Mike plans to become a ful-time restorative trainer and consultant.

Important Idea:

The "Justice Bifurcation Theory" explanation is my way of explaining the context of restorative justice to others.  I find it very useful in getting others to understand what restorative justice is all about.

Justice Bifurcation Theory postulates the underlying reasons why both the traditional western “punitive” justice system and the recently resurgent “restorative” justice system both appear to be “hard wired” into the human  psyche." (From the Restorative Justice Training Foundation). 

Leading Edge. 

Mike continues to find different ways of introducing restorative principles, including recently:

• workshops on "behaviour in the workplace"
• a reconciliation programme dealing with racial abuse

Reach Mike Ledwidge at mikeledwidge@aol.com

Bibliography