The Policing programme is designed for police officers (and police staff employees in related occupations) who wish to undertake study of the broad discipline of Policing.
The part-time programme normally takes 3 years to complete. All entrants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient direct professional experiential learning and knowledge of policing in order to enter the programme. Evidence of this learning attracts accreditation of prior (experiential) learning (APL/APEL) up to the value of half the degree and therefore needs to be demonstrated within the application process. Once on the programme students may be required to present further ongoing evidence of experiential learning within a portfolio.
Students are required to attend 17 taught sessions over the course of the academic year, in addition to working on assessed assignments and completing set tasks in their own time between taught sessions. There will also be three Saturday study days that students must attend: these are held at the University 's Medway campus in Chatham. It is important that you attend these sessions but in addition it is equally important to recognise that you will be expected to work in between the sessions. You will be directed to readings and will also have access to internet-based learning materials.
Students normally enter at level 2 and commence immediately with the 'Policing and Police Powers' course. This is the first of 6 courses in addition to a dissertation to be completed over the 3 years (see below). The aim of the literature based dissertation is to develop your ability to research and analyse an aspect of policing in some depth, constructing a well reasoned argument based on your readings.
Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (APL/APEL)
Applicants can apply for APL/APEL, which allows officers to provide evidence of experience and learning in the work place to enter the policing programme at level two. Evidence of prior learning can be gained through experience, prior police training (e.g. detective training course) successfully completing professional examinations (Sergeant's or Inspector's exams) and educational awards (e.g. Cert HE in Policing). Due the wide range of combinations available to qualify for APL/APEL applicants are advised to seek guidance regarding their eligibility before application. Further information can be obtained from Anneka Stevens.||
Programme Content (for students completing the degree programme in 3 years)
Level 2
This module provides students with an understanding of the distinctions between policing and police. It also examines legal, political and social contexts of policing and the contested and negotiated nature of police powers.
This module provides students with a broader understanding of issues surrounding the theories and techniques of crime control. It will provide students with a historical context from which theories of crime control have emerged and demonstrate the practical application of theories within a modern day setting.
Optional Modules
This module provides students with an understanding of the principles underpinning neighbourhood and community policing. It offers critical insights into issues and concerns relating to the realisation of these principles. There is a focus on partnership approaches to policing and responding to fear of crime and the reassurance agenda.
This module provides students with an understanding of the various models of investigation and the principles underpinning processes of police detection. The legal and technological dimensions of investigation will be examined as will the use of psychology, for example in relation to the use of informants and in interviewing techniques.
This module introduces students to problems concerning the delivery of justice in England and Wales and provides an understanding of the meaning of 'miscarriage of justice' within a 'due process' system. The module examines the nature, extent and causes of miscarriages of justice and highlights their impact upon victims.
Level 3
Policing Late Modernity (20 credits)
This module develops students' critical awareness of the social, legal and political contexts within which policing occurs. It builds upon aspects of year 1 modules and focuses on ethical dimensions of policing and the complexities of police governance. Aspects of year 1 modules are also developed in the context of the emphasis upon risk management as a core role within late modern policing.
This module provides students with a number of different business contexts within which policing can be understood. Policing is presented as crime management and social reassurance, building on aspects of year 1 modules in the context of establishing how 'profit' is defined in relation to policing as a business.
The aim of this course is to develop your critical awareness of the social contexts within which policing occurs. Students are provided with an examination of contemporary theories of society that inform debates about policing. A number of policing contexts are examined in detail to illustrate the influence of intellectual developments upon police practice and the reorganisation of police functions in the light of broad sociological changes.
This module addresses historical and theoretical issues in the social construction of political violence as 'terrorism'. It examines the reification of such constructs from within both the macro institutions of the state and popular culture, as well as micro sites of societal interaction. The module considers current issues in political violence committed by the state and by the 'dissident'.
The dissertation provides students with the opportunity to focus their studies on a specific aspect of policing. The dissertation is an extended literature review of 10,000 words in length (worth 40 credits), supported by a portfolio recording how the enquiry was conducted (20 credits).
Assessment
The assessment pattern varies from course to course. However, in general terms you will be required to submit written assignments, sit examinations and undertake presentations.
Venues
The programme is run in Kent and in central London. The taught sessions in Kent alternate between the University's Canterbury and Medway campuses. PLEASE NOTE THE SATURDAY STUDY DAYS ARE HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY'S MEDWAY CAMPUS IN CHATHAM.
Application
For an application form please contact Anneka Stevens| on 01227 782541 or by email|.
Application form