Police and Criminal Justice Studies

Two years full-time.

Two and a half years part-time for those in the Specials/PCSOs or three years for standard entrants.

The University of Northampton's Foundation Degree in Police and Criminal Justice Studies has been developed in partnership with Northamptonshire Police. It will equip students with the necessary knowledge, practical, vocational and key skills to pursue a career in the policing sector.

Students who successfully complete the Foundation Degree along with the training provided as members of the Special Constabulary will be considered for employment by Northamptonshire Police, subject to the successful completion of the national police selection process. Students may convert their Foundation Degree into a BA through a further year's study.

The course will provide participants with the initial education to work (during the programme) as a Police Special Officer and eventually reaching the standard of independent patrol. It combines practical ability with critical thinking and decision making underpinned by a robust and challenging academic understanding.

During the two stages of the course, students will study a number of compulsory modules covering quality policing, personal development, ethics and diversity in policing, technology and policing, police powers and operational competence.

This course is aimed at students seeking a career in policing. The course can also be considered by those applicants who already work within the Police Service as Specials or Police Constable Support Officers.

Stage one

Primarily based at the University with both police and University staff providing and facilitating students' understanding of the role of a police officer, with theoretical studies underpinned by practical application. Those students who are  working as Specials or PCSOs may be exempt from undertaking this module if they can prove successful completion of the requisite training.

Stage two

The second stage comprises further compulsory modules including those continued from stage one, with those students who are appointed to the Special Constabulary taking a module in Operational Policing, where students undertake a tutoring phase. Those students not eligible for the Special Constabulary will take alternative modules.

• Course delivered in close association with Northamptonshire police
• Close supervision by serving police officers
• Innovative teaching and learning environment
• Access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities

• Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Professional Policing
• Theoretical Concepts in Crime Scene Management
• Equality and Diversity in the Criminal Justice System
• Legislation for Policing
• Operational Policing
  

Alternative modules are available for those who are not eligible to join the Special Constabulary.

Course outline

The Foundation Degree in Police and Criminal Justice Studies has been running for over three years and has been specially designed for those who wish to study policing with a view to pursuing a career with Northamptonshire Police.

The course team, which includes experts drawn from the fields of Law, Criminology, Sociology and Psychology at the University and Northamptonshire Police, have developed a variety of modules which will run over a two year, full-time period. The course is also offered on a part-time basis, lasting for two and a half years if students are presently in the Specials/PCSOs or three years for those students who wish to undertake application to the Specials as part of the course.

The course essentially provides a framework, equivalent to which all new police recruits have to attain, along with the training provided as members of the Special Constabulary.

The FdA is designed to ensure that the necessary occupational standards for police officers are met to increase career prospects and employability.

Course content

Key modules are:

Stage one

Legislation for Policing

This module has been specifically designed and front-loaded to provide students with the legal knowledge necessary to enable those who have enrolled as Special Constables to become operational at the earliest opportunity. Those students who do not wish to enrol as Special Constables will gain a valuable insight and awareness of the powers and laws that are used and enforced by the police throughout England and Wales. This module explores why we have laws, where they come from, looks at the English Legal System and more specifically, how these laws impact on Police Officers on a day-to-day basis.

Theoretical Concepts in Crime Scene Management

This module is designed to introduce students to the police response to critical incidents. It begins with an explanation of the term 'critical incident', and then introduces students to the methods employed when dealing with major incidents and emergencies. It includes topics such as the 'golden hour', the liabilities of the police in the policing of planned events, and the theoretical principles underpinning forensic investigations. The module includes topics such as: missing persons, briefings and debriefings, procedures surrounding sudden death, scene preservation, exhibit handling, and forensic investigation.

Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Professional Policing

The module starts from a historical perspective looking at how the police were formed and how the institution has evolved to the present day. It addresses such issues as ethics and policing, legitimacy and discretion, and it examines various contemporary theories as to the reasons why people commit crime. Students will analyse the role of the police, both in a social context and within the wider criminal justice system. This module will enable you to consider the wider implications that police action, or indeed the lack of it, may have upon various communities and individuals.

Equality and Diversity in the Criminal Justice System

This module examines the need for all practitioners and professionals within the Criminal Justice System to understand the legislative framework relating to issues pertaining to equality and diversity. Students will explore aspects of legislation relating to issues of race, gender, disability, age, and learning styles, and understand how a reflective practitioner needs to be responsive to such issues. Criminal justice agencies have a statutory responsibility to operate within an accountable framework, regulated by standards and legal requirements which are routinely inspected to verify the level of commitment to diversity issues.

Operational Policing 1 and 2 (Stage one and two)

Whilst undertaking these modules, students will become familiar with the practical skills required to undertake the role of a police officer. They will achieve this through being attested as a Special Constable with Northamptonshire Police. They will learn how to make arrests, take statements, stop and search suspects, radio procedures, and how to deal with hostile situations. In the second year they will be assigned their own tutor constable with whom they will work to achieve the full range of National Occupational Standards that define a competent police patrol officer.

Stage two

Crime and Society

This is an alternative module for those students who do not wish to become Special Constables. Criminal activity and levels of crime are often seen as indicative of underlying problems in and for society. These concerns are explored through a large body of academic literature. The module provides the opportunity to engage with a series of debates around crime and social structure.

Road Policing

Introduces students to the legislation and police practices relating to road and traffic policing. In particular, the Road Traffic Act 1988, and offences such as drink driving, disqualified driving, fixed penalties and practical enforcement.

Effectiveness, Partnership Working, and Community Engagement

This focuses on the importance of working with partners and local communities to achieve common aims. It is about understanding and respecting different roles and responsibilities. It will enable students to better understand the various communities in which they will be working.

Criminal Investigation

This module focuses on specific offences such as homicide, sexual offences, identification issues, custody issues, interviewing suspects, intelligence and covert operations.

Academic Development

This module focuses on developing your academic writing, research and data analysis skills. More specifically it includes teaching you all the skills necessary to complete a literature review and a research proposal and presentation. This module is fundamental in preparing you for your third year, should you wish to convert your qualification into a full degree.

The FdA is assessed through a variety of work-based learning opportunities and assessments, essays, applied practical role simulations, debates, applied knowledge tests, portfolios and presentations to demonstrate your work-based skills and competencies. These reflect the National Occupational Standards for the police service and the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP).

Students on the FdA may go on to secure posts in the Police Service or other agencies within the criminal justice and voluntary sector organisations. It must be stressed however that students must still successfully complete the national police assessment centre. In the future it is hoped that students will have the opportunity to 'top-up' to full honours degree status by taking six additional modules (including a dissertation) in a third year.

Opportunity to join the Special Constabulary

The FdA provides a stimulating and relevant award within the supportive working environment of the University. Students will conduct their work-based learning by working as Special Constables with Northamptonshire Police. They will be supported by their own Tutor Constable who will monitor and guide them to support work-based learning opportunities. By the end the degree students will be able to show via a portfolio of evidence that they have achieved a range of policing competencies making them fit for independent patrol as Police Officers. Those students who choose not to become Special Constables may take alternative modules during the course.