POL4002 - An Introduction to the Police Service and Your Apprenticeship

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
describe and demonstrate the professional standards required of a police constable;
demonstrate an understanding of the make-up of the police service and the key principles by which it operates;
explore the role of the constable;
develop and demonstrate the research standards and skill of academic work expected at level 4.

Content:

This module will enable students to understand the structure of the police service and the functions and the roles of members of the service. They will develop understanding of the purpose of the police service and the responsibilities of those charged with delivering a professional service; will examine in detail the specific role of police constable, as articulated in the national apprenticeship standard; will exercise police powers and procedures fairly and without bias and be able to explain the concepts and principles of 'policing by consent'. They will understand the extent of police powers and how these powers are regulated; review the role of law enforcement agencies and how a police constable can support these agencies to deliver a safer UK. The module includes the presentation of the National Decision Model (NDM) in order that students can understand the rationale for development of this enabling them to explain the stages of the National Decision Model (NDM) and the flexibility of approach it provides.

This module will consider the criminal justice system and the legislation and processes that support it; the process for ethical recording of policing incidents; and the overall scope of the response policing role, including associated risks and pressures.

This module will enable students to understand the necessity for maintaining professional standards in policing, in both their personal and professional life. They will understand the internal processes and relevant governance, roles and responsibilities within the police service which support challenging and reporting unprofessional conduct. They will understand (and, where necessary, make use of) internal processes as well as explaining the process for dealing with external complaints and expressions of dissatisfaction against members of the service.

The module will ensure students are able to employ strategies to develop resilience and maintain personal wellbeing within policing. They will be able to explain the professional importance of self-evaluation, self-improvement and reflective practice. This will be taught alongside the fundamental elements of effective communication and how to optimise an exchange.

The module content includes the core principles of ethics, equality, diversity and human rights in professional policing in order that students can challenge bias, prejudice, discrimination and stereotyping when performing the role of police constable.

The content of this module includes research methodology and skills in order that students can demonstrate skills in the use of resources and primary/secondary literary sources relevant to the degree programme; demonstrate a structured approach to studying, writing essays and referencing content; explain statistical tests and the interpretation of data; apply key concepts in relation to models of learning and reflective practice; and demonstrate autonomy, as well as accountability and working with others, in a study skills context.

Further, students will explore a range of key concepts relating to criminology and explore the nature of, and relationship between, offending and victimisation in light of theoretical approaches to criminology. examine a range of key concepts literature and case law in order to develop critical arguments.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module will be taught in a variety of ways: some of the input will be delivered as lectures but it is intended that the large cohort will then be split into smaller groups of approximately 26 students. This will allow for more discussion-orientated teaching, facilitation and reflection.

Lectures
Hours: 36
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Small group teaching
Hours: 150
Intended Group Size: 26

Guided independent study
Hours: 14

Further details relating to assessment
Students will complete a 1000-word reflective assignment on Professionalism in the Police Service.

Students will be given a 50 questions multiple choice exam to test their knowledge of material covered in this module.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Jon Hyslop
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NOT APPLICABLE
Semester(s) Offered - 4P123

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