POL4092 - Legislative Practice for Policing

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Understand the process for ethical recording of policing incidents
Describe the alternative options to arrest available to a police constable, including out-of-court disposals
Explain the processes for provision of materials for disclosure by CPS
Understand the legislation relevant to public order/public safety policing
Explain legislation, police powers and the most common offences associated with policing the roads
Understand how to exercise police powers and procedures fairly and without bias

Content:

This module will enable students to appreciate the purpose, benefits and challenges of police powers and procedures in a variety of contexts. Students will explore the function of police powers and the need for clear rules and regulations for police procedures when dealing with the public. There is a particular focus on stop search and the challenges inherent with this type of occurrence. The module enables students to appreciate the importance of community engagement and understand how to foster effective community relationships. Students will become familiar with the main sources of information and academic research regarding police powers and procedure and be able to use these materials for research purposes.

This module will cover key areas of police powers and procedures carried out in the line of front facing policing. Students will understand appropriate powers to stop and search a person under Section 1 PACE 1984, with due care and attention to diversity and respect for the public. Students will cover the issues which can occur if they do not carry out their duties in a professional manner without bias or in a stereotypical manner. The module will also cover how to establish the grounds and authority for carrying out a lawful arrest and interview of a suspect in custody. Students will understand the importance of carrying out procedure correctly when dealing and escorting a suspect to custody and the statutory processes relating to a person detained in police custody. Government policy will be explained with regards to ‘out of court’ disposals that may be used within policing. The module will examine the fundamental principles, legislation and powers relating to investigations and police interviews.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Students will take part in a 4-hour session each week, and teaching will be based on the gradual responsibility model (Fischer & Frey, 2021).

Each session will begin with class discussion and debate, based on material given in the previous week, to develop thinking, engagement and participation in ideas and evidence-based opinions.

There will be a ‘main teach’ which is intended as concept construction, followed by practical tasks and activities to consolidate learning, and initiate formative discussion for feedback, addressing misconceptions and learning, where students may be broken down into smaller groups.

Each session will end with a plenary reflection, and a feed forward into the next session.

Formative assessment in the forms of interactive polls, surveys, information padlets and knowledge checks will be utilised in every session to check the levels of understanding and engagement from students. This will add to the formative discussion and feedback from the practical tasks and activities.

Students will be provided with resources and instructions for their self-directed learning, to scaffold them through the module and build knowledge and ideas for their assignments.

In addition, students will have an extra session each week specifically oriented to the development of their academic skills in aspects of writing, presentation, and communication for assessment.

Lectures
Hours: 40
Intended Group Size: 25-40

Small group teaching
Hours: 10

Guided independent study
Hours: 150

Further details relating to assessment
Practical Scenario: Students will take part in a stop and search role play and will be assessed in aspects of Section 1 of PACE, lawful grounds for search, knowledge of legislation and necessity and knowledge of outcome and selecting the most appropriate disposal. The practical scenario will form part of an immersive scenario day.

Written / Online Exam – Students will be assessed on their knowledge of the legislation relating to the taught components of the module and assessed against the learning outcomes detailed in ethical recording of police incidents, alternative options to arrest, disclosure of material to CPS, Legislation relevant to public order and public safety, legislation relevant to policing the roads, and exercising police powers and procedures fairly and without bias.

Assessment:

001 Practical scenario; 1 hour; mid semester 2 50%
002 Written online exam; 1 hour; end semester 2 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S2

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