BA Single Honours Professional Policing (full-time)

Community policing and partnership working is an important aspect of policing. Understanding the core principles of ethics, equality, diversity and human rights is at the forefront of everything the police do, and this will be of significant importance in this module. Students will explore other key concepts, with particular focus on community engagement, developing community relations and the rationale for this, partnership working, and policing diverse communities. In addition to this, the legislation in relation to anti-social behaviour will be taught and how this affects communities.

The relationship of the police with victims and witnesses is vital to any successful criminal justice outcomes. Building on the concept of ethical treatment of individuals and the key legislation, policies and guidance that relate to victims and witnesses, students will learn about the complexities of this area of policing and how to apply good practice to individuals through their own behaviours and attitudes. In addition, the requirement to protect vulnerable witnesses and victims will also be studied. Key to this module are communication skills. The fundamental elements of communication will be explored along with a range of associated theories and practices and their application in policing.

Students will examine the fundamental principles and processes for conducting ethical and non-biased police investigations across a range of crime types. The module explores various evidence recovery methods from multiple sources including crime scenes, witness statements and interviews, all within the framework of the PACE Codes of Practice. Students will develop their understanding of legal powers relating to investigation and learn essential principles for securing and managing evidence effectively. The module also addresses the importance of reflective practice in developing investigative competence.

Building on the study being undertaken on the history of policing and policing communities, students will gain an insight into the basic concepts of criminology and explore contemporary methods of crime prevention. They will assess the strengths and weaknesses of varying policing models, reviewing some specific crime prevention initiatives. Students will go on to explore the concept of problem-oriented policing and use of the SARA model. They will understand specific problem-solving methodology, carry out research to identify and understand an emerging issue or problem, before applying the model in the form of an intervention into the problem.

This module looks into the wider functions of the criminal justice system (CJS). It will introduce the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Courts and sentencing. Associated legislation and procedures such as disclosure of relevant material will be taught. Considerations in relation to offenders, victims and witnesses, including the Victim’s Code will partnership collaboration with respect to offender rehabilitation, will be explored.

This module introduces students to the fundamental concepts of policing whilst developing essential academic writing skills for their policing degree. Students will explore the diverse roles and responsibilities within the UK police service and examine the crucial supporting functions of partner law enforcement organisations, including the College of Policing. The module investigates core policing principles such as policing by consent, legitimacy, and the cultivation of public confidence. Students will also gain insight into the broader strategic context of policing and analyse current national policing strategies that shape modern law enforcement practices.

As a key component of policing and one that is prevalent in all aspects of policing, students will analyse the concept of evidence-based policing (EBP). They will explore the rationale, successes and constraints of EBP and learn how it is key to apply it in practice.

This module will focus on the core policing functions and strategies relating to policing the roads. Students will gain an understanding of roads policing legislation and police powers – with a particular focus on the Road Traffic Act 1988. Police procedure will be discussed in relation to a range of roads policing investigations, including drink/drug offences and road traffic collisions. Students will have the opportunity to engage with roads policing officers to consolidate learning and apply to practical situations. Students will also evaluate how the roads can be effectively policed to disrupt criminal activity, reduce road traffic collisions and combat anti-social road use.

This module, students will explore the necessity for maintaining professional standards in policing, and relevant governance and their roles and responsibilities. They will compare professional standards within the police service to similar professional organisations. Students will analyse how the police have developed policies and procedures to reduce the possibility of professional malpractice and increase community confidence; then review the progress being made within the police service to improve professional standards. Students will examine the role of discretion in the decision-making process and analyse the effect on bias on the decision-making process. Students will cover and apply the National Decision Model to given professional situations and demonstrate effective judgement and decision making.

This module will focus on the core policing functions and strategies relating to policing the roads. Students will gain an understanding of roads policing legislation and police powers – with a particular focus on the Road Traffic Act 1988. Police procedure will be discussed in relation to a range of roads policing investigations, including drink/drug offences and road traffic collisions. Students will have the opportunity to engage with roads policing officers to consolidate learning and apply to practical situations. Students will also evaluate how the roads can be effectively policed to disrupt criminal activity, reduce road traffic collisions and combat anti-social road use.

This module, students will explore the necessity for maintaining professional standards in policing, and relevant governance and their roles and responsibilities. They will compare professional standards within the police service to similar professional organisations. Students will analyse how the police have developed policies and procedures to reduce the possibility of professional malpractice and increase community confidence; then review the progress being made within the police service to improve professional standards. Students will examine the role of discretion in the decision-making process and analyse the effect on bias on the decision-making process. Students will cover and apply the National Decision Model to given professional situations and demonstrate effective judgement and decision making.

This module will cover some of the key pieces of legislation that police constables will encounter on a regular basis such as theft-related offences, criminal damage, offences against the person, sexual offences, public order, licensing, drugs and psychoactive substances. Students will be given the opportunity to apply their learning and knowledge of the law to policing scenarios.

This module will cover the importance of information and intelligence to key areas of policing, and the relevant legislation and guidance underpinning information and intelligence in policing. Students will understand the practical issues pertaining to the collection, retention and sharing of information and intelligence. Students will gain an understanding of how the use of information and intelligence which is held by other agencies can help and assist police operations. Data protection regulations will be covered and will be analysed to what impact they can have on professional policing. Issues will be explored that can arise when data management protocols are not adhered to. The rights of the individual will be reviewed in respect of information held about them.

As a key component of policing and one that is prevalent in all aspects of policing, students will analyse the concept of evidence-based policing (EBP). They will explore the rationale, successes and constraints of EBP and learn how it is key to apply it in practice.

This module will cover and review the overall scope of the response policing role and the types of incidents and crimes likely to be encountered in this area of operational policing. Leadership and team working are key to policing and, therefore, will be explored in this module, in particular, the importance of self-evaluation and the nature of effective teamwork. Students will examine the roles and responsibilities of the police and joint interoperability between other attending emergency services at an incident. Various examples of high-profile critical incidents will be reviewed to establish best practise and development areas. Specific challenges faced by response officers will be examined in more complex response situations and contexts. This module will also examine the key social, political and strategic drivers impacting upon contemporary response policing and strategies involved in response policing to ensure they remain effective in an increasingly challenging environment, including the ethical use of stop and search powers and the impact on communities and trust and confidence in the police and how response policing contributes to countering terrorism.

This module will cover some of the policies, legislation and powers that police constables will encounter on a regular basis. It will provide a comprehensive exploration of criminal legislation and police powers within the UK justice system. Students will examine key statutes governing police authority, including the theft act, PACE, investigatory powers, and public order legislation.

This module will cover the importance of information and intelligence to key areas of policing, and the relevant legislation and guidance underpinning information and intelligence in policing. Students will understand the practical issues pertaining to the collection, retention and sharing of information and intelligence. Students will gain an understanding of how the use of information and intelligence which is held by other agencies can help and assist police operations. Data protection regulations will be covered and will be analysed to what impact they can have on professional policing. Issues will be explored that can arise when data management protocols are not adhered to. The rights of the individual will be reviewed in respect of information held about them. Students will further gain an understanding of securing and preserving digital evidence, from various sources and best evidence available.

This module will cover and review the overall scope of the response policing role and the types of incidents and crimes likely to be encountered in this area of operational policing. Leadership and team working are key to policing and, therefore, will be explored in this module, in particular, the importance of self-evaluation and the nature of effective teamwork. Students will examine the roles and responsibilities of the police and joint interoperability between other attending emergency services at an incident. Various examples of high-profile critical incidents will be reviewed to establish best practise and development areas. Specific challenges faced by response officers will be examined in more complex response situations and contexts. This module will also examine the key social, political and strategic drivers impacting upon contemporary response policing and strategies involved in response policing to ensure they remain effective in an increasingly challenging environment, including the ethical use of stop and search powers and the impact on communities and trust and confidence in the police and how response policing contributes to countering terrorism.