Professional Policing BSc(Hons)

UK Policing relies on information and intelligence. Intelligence underpins policing operations and contributes to police collaborations with other agencies. This raises issues about how information is collected, how it comes to form intelligence, ethics and the management of data. This module aims to develop your understanding of the role of information and intelligence within policing and how the police are obliged to collect, store, and manage intelligence appropriately. It will consider intelligence use in policing operations and how partner agencies can support operations through the sharing of information and intelligence.

This module introduces you to the structure, processes, and role of police investigations, and the legal, resourcing and professional/ethical standards within which they operate. It reviews core elements of the investigative process, different investigative types, and how different forms of information are utilised. It considers victim/witness support during the investigative process, reviews the differing roles of key stakeholders, and explores roles and relationships between police investigators and specialist partners. It considers how personal attitudes, values and bias can influence investigations, and reviews how investigations and investigative material are managed and reviewed.

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the policing of roads in England and Wales. It will explain the core function of the police service using the 3 Es of roads policing: ‘Education, Engineering and Enforcement’. It will cover the key road traffic legislation and policies relating to the use of vehicles, as well consider the use of vehicles in connection with crime and anti-social behaviour. The use of problem-solving model will be explored, alongside national strategies and policy development for safer roads. Evidence-based Policing research contextualises learning and good practice throughout.

This module introduces you to response policing and its effectiveness in contemporary policing. Response policing often leads to further investigation. It is frequently required when the public first contact the police for assistance. Calls can be challenging; from a person in mental health crisis to a major incident. This module draws upon interoperability and joint working relationships with other emergency services and partner agencies. It develops understanding of key social, political and strategic drivers that impact on contemporary response policing.

This module helps to develop your understanding of vulnerability and risk. It introduces you to competing views of vulnerability and why the police adopt a specific definition related to the concept of policing as a public service. It addresses the interrelationship of vulnerability with risk to highlight how some individuals and groups are more vulnerable to offending behaviour. It will enable you to understand how the police reduces risk. This includes approaches linked to early intervention, prevention and partnership working. College of Policing’s National Policing Curriculum ‘Vulnerability and Risk’ and areas of ‘Victims and Witnesses’ are covered in this module.

This module provides a comprehensive exploration of leadership principles and responsibilities within the context of policing. It critically evaluates key leadership principles and the responsibilities of leaders at all levels. You will delve into the complexities of operational policing, addressing issues such as police culture, integrity, diversity, and public perceptions, as well as examining the National Decision Model (NDM) and its application in decision-making processes, highlighting the role of ethics, discretion and intelligence. Additionally, the module covers best practices in response to critical incidents and effective communication strategies for dealing with the media, ensuring that you are well-prepared to handle the multifaceted challenges of modern policing.

This module offers you the opportunity to explore key contemporary challenges to the nature and practice of policing and security. You will be enabled to consider the impact of social change on policing in a variety of ways including, for example: policing of new and emerging crimes; the impact of technological developments on the commission and investigation of crime; policing within the context of globalisation, marketisation, managerialism, risk and multi-culturalism; and threats to national and public security.

The aim of this module is to provide you with an opportunity to gain experience of conducting evidenced-based policing research. The ability to undertake planned and well executed research is a core skill within the discipline of police education and is a requirement of the National Policing Curriculum. You’ll have the opportunity to study and research a policing topic in detail, enabling you to further develop your understanding of research gained in Years 1 and 2.

The idea of public protection has been at the centre of policing since its inception in the 19th century. This module builds on the ‘Policing: Core Functions and Standards’ and ‘Victimology: Vulnerability and Risk’, to help deepen your understanding of the concept public protection in modern day policing. It will provide you with the legislative tools and guidance to help you understand how you can develop policing practice in relation to public protection. The College of Policing’s National Police Curriculum for ‘Public Protection’ is covered in this module.