The day-to-day running of the Institute is overseen by the Director, with input from staff across the three partner organisations. More formally though, the strategic direction and development of UPSI has been, and continues to be, steered through two principal mechanisms.

The Management Group involves staff with operational responsibilities from Cardiff University, the University of Glamorgan and South Wales Police in regular meetings to discuss ongoing progress in the establishment of an integrated approach to research, education and practice in policing.

This group reports to the Strategy Board, including the Chief Constable of South Wales Police and the Vice-Chancellors of the two universities, as well as other senior representatives from across the three partner organisations. The Strategy Board seeks to articulate a vision for the Institute and works to ensure that UPSI is well positioned to take advantage of new opportunities that arise for enhancing the research-based evidence for police reform.

The Institute concept of delivering integrated research, education and practice for policing was originally formulated by Professor Jonathan Shepherd of Cardiff University, informed by his involvement in practitioner training and development in the field of medicine. The Management Group and Strategy Board work to help the Institute achieve this vision for policing.