Public servants are being encouraged to be less suspicious of journalists and academics.

Police have confirmed they're changing their policy on dealing with researchers, after a gang researcher went public about being denied access to data.

Jarrod Gilbert was denied data because he knew criminals.

Tertiary Education Union president Sandra Grey believes police and public servants should respect the role researchers and journalists play.

"What we need is good open debate and conversation and that is a crucial role that both play in these moments."

She's hopeful police will become more understanding.

"It's going to be really important that they speak with academic about our kind of needs and what we hope to achieve by getting data from the police."

Sandra Grey said research based on accurate data is critical to good policy-making.