**4.3 Partnership between forces and universities**

In building the evidence base in policing, it is very important to ensure that police officers can develop their skills, build their knowledge and expertise about what really works in policing and crime reduction so that they can put it into their practice [64, 65]. Through the partnerships, the police forces will be trained by the experts from a wide range of academic disciplines including policing, criminology, criminal justice, forensics, law, psychology, and cyber security from HEIs [66]. They will be able to learn new skills, understand more about why crimes are committed, the relationship between crime and society, and use that evidence in innovative ways in their policing practice. However, the aim is to establish longterm partnerships between police forces and HEIs to deliver a recognised body of knowledge, evidence, and expertise on policing and crime reduction, and have the potential to meet the needs of the challenging environment through innovative solutions [67, 68].

There are many partnerships across the UK between a police force and a university or a consortium of universities with several forces. Universities or consortiums need to bid to obtain a contract to provide education and training programmes, for example for 5 years with a force to provide their services. A force cannot award the contract to a local university without a competitive bidding process. Several successful procurement processes have already been run. So, for instance, Cumbria Constabulary and Lancashire Constabulary went for a joint tender and the contract was awarded to the University of Central Lancashire. Liverpool John Moores University obtained a partnership contract from Merseyside Police. It established the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies (2015) and provides teaching to the trainee officers of their local force. University of West of England received the PEQF contract from Avon and Somerset Constabulary while the University of Northumbria runs similar programmes for Durham Constabulary and Northumbria Police [69, 70].

Some universities individually received contracts with several forces while some HEIs formed consortiums and are in contract with several forces. For example,

Staffordshire University is running the PEQF programmes for four forces in the Midlands, that is Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Mercia, and West Midlands, and their academic staff travel to the forces' headquarters [71]. The Police Education Consortium has been formed by four universities, namely the University of Middlesex, the University of Cumbria, Canterbury Christ Church University, and the University of Portsmouth, which is in a contract with Surrey and Sussex Police and Hampshire Constabulary to run the PCDA programme and DHEP.

In November 2019, Babcock International, an engineering organisation in the security and defence sector, which also offer recruitment services, received the £309m worth contract valid until 2028 as the learning partner of the London Metropolitan Police [72]. They formed a consortium with four universities namely Brunel University London, the University of West London, the University of East London, and Anglia Ruskin University to teach the newly recruited officers of the largest police service in the UK with 31,746 police officers (as of March 2020) and 25% of the budget for the police in England and Wales [73].

Regarding the current partnerships, one of the interesting observations is that only the post-92 universities came forward to develop police partnerships and run the PCDA programme and DHEP. Most of those involved such as Middlesex, Portsmouth, and Liverpool John Moores University have long-standing reputation for teaching and researching policing, criminology, and criminal justice. However, some HEIs without an established presence in teaching and research in policing, criminology, and criminal justice stepped in for the PCDA programme and DHEP.

This partnership is an opportunity for HEIs to support the police services for professional development of their officers through enhanced education techniques and research-informed teaching utilising an established evidence base. It is one of the main reasons for the universities to develop their partnerships with the police forces to design, develop, and deliver these academic programmes. Undoubtedly as part of these contracts, HEIs will receive a considerable number of students as the police forces are continuously recruiting to meet their recruitment targets. In addition to regular recruitments, the Government promised (publicly known as 'Boris 20,000') to recruit extra 20,000 new police officers [74], which is again an extra boost for both the forces and HEIs. In fact, the partner HEIs will receive several cohorts of student officers throughout the year and they need to be flexible concerning the start date of the cohorts and compromise their traditional term dates to accommodate several intakes in an academic year.

#### *4.3.1 Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) programme*

The PCDA is a 3-year apprenticeship degree programme titled BSc (Honours) Professional Policing Practice for someone who has already completed their A levels or BTEC at level 2 and 3 or who are the former members of the Armed Forces. To enrol for this work-based learning programme where the uniformed students will study alongside their operational duties, one needs to join as a police officer first and then pursue the 3-year course as apprentices and will progress from academic level 4 to level 6 (degree level) when student officers need to spend 20% of their contract hours for their academic learning. However, this is a requirement set out by the College of Policing, which is different to the funding rules within the PCDA set by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). This 20% protected learning time has been seen very much as an abstraction issue rather than how it is as an 'investment in learning and development'. This 20% has become a significant barrier in the development of some programmes and disproportionately influenced the design of some programmes. This again hampers the

**11**

partnership).

*Police Education in the United Kingdom: Challenges and Future Directions*

opportunity to reach the full potential and development opportunities of these

This is an opportunity for someone who wants to earn £20,880 per annum (varied from force to force) while achieving a professional degree in government's expenses [75]. Entry requirements also vary from force to force. However, within the Derbyshire Constabulary, the entry requirements for policing apprenticeship is Level 2 Qualification in Maths and English (Grade C/4 and above), for example GCSE, Functional Skills and a Level 3 Qualification (A-level or equivalent) equal to 64 UCAS points for anyone aged between 18 and 55 years and the UK, EU, or Commonwealth citizen with no restrictions on leave to remain in the UK [75]. The College of Policing has outlined the National Police Curriculum (NPC) for the three new routes to become a police constable under the PEQF, and HEIs in consultation with their partner force(s) develop their programme and modules in line with the national curriculum for the PCDA, DHEP, and Pre Join degree in Professional Policing Practice and obtain approval from the college [76]. Even officers and police trainers are involved in developing learning materials. However, the name of the modules may not be the same. But the overall programme and modules need to fulfil the requirements of the NPC. Williams et al. ([77], p. 260) are critical about the development of the curriculum that 'on implementation, academia has a responsibility to develop police education in ways that it can achieve this critical feature of the PEQF' and indicate 'a risk of limiting the opportunities provided by the PEQF to deliver a real change to current police training unless the curriculum includes wider forms of knowledge, from the historical research on policing to the evaluative research tantamount to the "what works" agenda'. However, the NPC is very prescriptive about what should be taught and as a result of this prescriptive nature, this could prevent all the benefits of higher education being accessed by the students who undertake these programmes. This is particularly relevant where the PCDA is compared to the DHEP as same content is

As prescribed by the NPC, the 3-year programme will be divided into several phases, which is a very traditional approach to delivery. For example, at the beginning of the PCDA student officers will continue 22 weeks of learning that will follow guided practical learning with a one-to-one mentor for 10 weeks. In addition to reflective practice and formative assessment, students' operational progression will be assessed continuously while summative assessments will be done for every module. However, it is very important to move forward from this prescribed delivery approach by adapting a more work-integrated professional practice approach [78]. Programme design and development vary from university to university. Some HEIs run the following modules for their PCDA programmes, which starts gradually some from the beginning, some during the company period when officers will learn more about practical policing with their employer and some modules when they

*Modules:* (Titles of the modules could be different offered by different universities or partnerships. For example, following modules are offered by a university of a

*Year 2 (level 5)*: 6 modules (6x20= 120 credits): Policing, Operational Policing 2, Community Policing 2, Vulnerability 2, Studying Criminology 2, and Reflective

*Year 1 (level 4)*: 6 modules (6x20= 120 credits): Introduction to Policing, Studying Criminology, Community Policing, Operational Policing, Vulnerability,

*Year 3 (level 6)*: 3 modules (2 compulsory modules and one specialist module) and a project (2x20+40+40= 120 credits): Coaching and mentoring;

achieve independent patrol status to become operational:

and Reflective Practice Based Learning.

Practice Based Learning 2.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92705*

programmes and partnerships.

delivered at different levels.

#### *Police Education in the United Kingdom: Challenges and Future Directions DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92705*

*Education, Human Rights and Peace in Sustainable Development*

25% of the budget for the police in England and Wales [73].

accommodate several intakes in an academic year.

*4.3.1 Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) programme*

Staffordshire University is running the PEQF programmes for four forces in the Midlands, that is Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Mercia, and West Midlands, and their academic staff travel to the forces' headquarters [71]. The Police

Education Consortium has been formed by four universities, namely the University of Middlesex, the University of Cumbria, Canterbury Christ Church University, and the University of Portsmouth, which is in a contract with Surrey and Sussex Police and Hampshire Constabulary to run the PCDA programme and DHEP.

In November 2019, Babcock International, an engineering organisation in the security and defence sector, which also offer recruitment services, received the £309m worth contract valid until 2028 as the learning partner of the London Metropolitan Police [72]. They formed a consortium with four universities namely Brunel University London, the University of West London, the University of East London, and Anglia Ruskin University to teach the newly recruited officers of the largest police service in the UK with 31,746 police officers (as of March 2020) and

Regarding the current partnerships, one of the interesting observations is that only the post-92 universities came forward to develop police partnerships and run the PCDA programme and DHEP. Most of those involved such as Middlesex, Portsmouth, and Liverpool John Moores University have long-standing reputation for teaching and researching policing, criminology, and criminal justice. However, some HEIs without an established presence in teaching and research in policing, criminology, and criminal justice stepped in for the PCDA programme

This partnership is an opportunity for HEIs to support the police services for professional development of their officers through enhanced education techniques and research-informed teaching utilising an established evidence base. It is one of the main reasons for the universities to develop their partnerships with the police forces to design, develop, and deliver these academic programmes. Undoubtedly as part of these contracts, HEIs will receive a considerable number of students as the police forces are continuously recruiting to meet their recruitment targets. In addition to regular recruitments, the Government promised (publicly known as 'Boris 20,000') to recruit extra 20,000 new police officers [74], which is again an extra boost for both the forces and HEIs. In fact, the partner HEIs will receive several cohorts of student officers throughout the year and they need to be flexible concerning the start date of the cohorts and compromise their traditional term dates to

The PCDA is a 3-year apprenticeship degree programme titled BSc (Honours) Professional Policing Practice for someone who has already completed their A levels or BTEC at level 2 and 3 or who are the former members of the Armed Forces. To enrol for this work-based learning programme where the uniformed students will study alongside their operational duties, one needs to join as a police officer first and then pursue the 3-year course as apprentices and will progress from academic level 4 to level 6 (degree level) when student officers need to spend 20% of their contract hours for their academic learning. However, this is a requirement set out by the College of Policing, which is different to the funding rules within the PCDA set by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). This 20% protected learning time has been seen very much as an abstraction issue rather than how it is as an 'investment in learning and development'. This 20% has become a significant barrier in the development of some programmes and disproportionately influenced the design of some programmes. This again hampers the

**10**

and DHEP.

opportunity to reach the full potential and development opportunities of these programmes and partnerships.

This is an opportunity for someone who wants to earn £20,880 per annum (varied from force to force) while achieving a professional degree in government's expenses [75]. Entry requirements also vary from force to force. However, within the Derbyshire Constabulary, the entry requirements for policing apprenticeship is Level 2 Qualification in Maths and English (Grade C/4 and above), for example GCSE, Functional Skills and a Level 3 Qualification (A-level or equivalent) equal to 64 UCAS points for anyone aged between 18 and 55 years and the UK, EU, or Commonwealth citizen with no restrictions on leave to remain in the UK [75].

The College of Policing has outlined the National Police Curriculum (NPC) for the three new routes to become a police constable under the PEQF, and HEIs in consultation with their partner force(s) develop their programme and modules in line with the national curriculum for the PCDA, DHEP, and Pre Join degree in Professional Policing Practice and obtain approval from the college [76]. Even officers and police trainers are involved in developing learning materials. However, the name of the modules may not be the same. But the overall programme and modules need to fulfil the requirements of the NPC. Williams et al. ([77], p. 260) are critical about the development of the curriculum that 'on implementation, academia has a responsibility to develop police education in ways that it can achieve this critical feature of the PEQF' and indicate 'a risk of limiting the opportunities provided by the PEQF to deliver a real change to current police training unless the curriculum includes wider forms of knowledge, from the historical research on policing to the evaluative research tantamount to the "what works" agenda'. However, the NPC is very prescriptive about what should be taught and as a result of this prescriptive nature, this could prevent all the benefits of higher education being accessed by the students who undertake these programmes. This is particularly relevant where the PCDA is compared to the DHEP as same content is delivered at different levels.

As prescribed by the NPC, the 3-year programme will be divided into several phases, which is a very traditional approach to delivery. For example, at the beginning of the PCDA student officers will continue 22 weeks of learning that will follow guided practical learning with a one-to-one mentor for 10 weeks. In addition to reflective practice and formative assessment, students' operational progression will be assessed continuously while summative assessments will be done for every module. However, it is very important to move forward from this prescribed delivery approach by adapting a more work-integrated professional practice approach [78].

Programme design and development vary from university to university. Some HEIs run the following modules for their PCDA programmes, which starts gradually some from the beginning, some during the company period when officers will learn more about practical policing with their employer and some modules when they achieve independent patrol status to become operational:

*Modules:* (Titles of the modules could be different offered by different universities or partnerships. For example, following modules are offered by a university of a partnership).

*Year 1 (level 4)*: 6 modules (6x20= 120 credits): Introduction to Policing, Studying Criminology, Community Policing, Operational Policing, Vulnerability, and Reflective Practice Based Learning.

*Year 2 (level 5)*: 6 modules (6x20= 120 credits): Policing, Operational Policing 2, Community Policing 2, Vulnerability 2, Studying Criminology 2, and Reflective Practice Based Learning 2.

*Year 3 (level 6)*: 3 modules (2 compulsory modules and one specialist module) and a project (2x20+40+40= 120 credits): Coaching and mentoring; Professional Policing Competence; one specialist module (such as Response policing, Community policing, Roads policing, Information and Intelligence, and Investigation) (This is worth 40 credits); and Professional Policing Practice Project. (This is similar to undergraduate dissertation as the preparation towards the final End Point Assessment (EPA), which will include submission of the project and a presentation to be assessed finally. However, confirmation of permanent employment as a fully operational police constable is subject to successful completion of EPA).

Some other partnership developed the PCDA programme in slightly different way, for example Derbyshire Constabulary adopted the following 3-year programme (**Table 1**).

Currently, faculty members from partnership universities go to police headquarters to teach and tripartite review of the PCDA students in makeshift temporary classrooms. Blended learning approaches are used to provide learning support including delivering little face-to-face master classes, and making all teaching and learning materials available to students via online workbooks and reading lists. Student constables rely upon their handheld devices, that is iPads and laptops connected via Wi-Fi access at force headquarters, police stations where they are attached for their field training and also at their home as the trainee officers stay at home and travel to police headquarters and police stations.


**13**

social sciences.

officer.

*Police Education in the United Kingdom: Challenges and Future Directions*

The DHEP is a 2-year Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice programme in academic level 6. This programme is for the newly recruited constables who have a university degree in any subject except in policing. They pursue this 2-year course to learn the theoretical knowledge of policing while they in fact apply their knowledge in operational policing. The student officers recruited under the DHEP pursue work-based learning while they work as trainee officers with respective forces in various locations. They can access the online learning materials including audio-visual materials and use them at any time from any location and can engage in their academic learning activities. They earn £24,177 per annum (varied from force to force) as an officer from day one while they pursue on and off-the-job learning through this graduate diploma programme at the expense of the govern-

Some forces post attractive videos as part of their recruitment campaign, which outlines the recruitment process in particular how the candidates will spend half a day at the force's assessment or recruitment centre undertaking a written test, taking part in role-play, and finally being interviewed to become a police officer [80]. Fast track detectives are also recruited under the DHEP and they follow the same syllabus except learning one or two specialist modules and spending a significant period of time at specialist departments such as CID (Criminal Investigation Department). It is understood that the forces received overwhelming response from the potential detectives for the exciting and challenging Fast-Track Detective Development Programme [81]. However, confirmation of permanent employment as a police constable is subject to the successful completion of the course. Structure

*Modules: Total of 6 modules (may run throughout the course), each module weight 20* 

*Year 1(level 6)*: 3 modules (3x20 credits): Policing in Context; Communities,

*Year 2 (level 6)*: 3 modules (3x20 credits): Ethics and the Policing Professional; Advance Policing Skills; and one policing in practice specialism module from the following Response Policing; Community Policing; Roads Policing; Information and Intelligence; and Investigation. Finally, the completion of a portfolio as an evidence of Full Operational Competence is required to become a fully operational police

This PJD programme is a standard 3-year university degree programme entitled BSc (Hons) in Professional Policing. The prospective police officers pursue this course at their own expense and upon successful completion of the degree they can apply to join any police force in England and Wales. They need to learn theoretical knowledge of policing, criminology, and criminal justice as well as various aspects

*Year 1 (level 4)*: 6 modules (6x20 credits): Understanding the role of a police constable; Policing, decisions and ethics; Policing vulnerability in contemporary society; Police Legislation; Information and Intelligence; Academic skills and applied

Values and Standards; Vulnerability and risks; Specialist procedures; Academic

*Year 2 (level 5)*: 6 modules (6x20 credits): Operational policing; Professionalism,

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92705*

ment during their probation period [79].

of this graduate diploma programme is described below:

Intelligence and Information; Law, Policy and Practice.

*credits and requires 20x10= 200 study hours.*

*4.3.3 Pre-Join Degree (PJD) programme*

of operational policing over 3 years.

research skills; Criminological concepts.

*4.3.2 Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP)*

**Table 1.**

*Adopted from Derbyshire Constabulary ([75], online).*

### *4.3.2 Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP)*

*Education, Human Rights and Peace in Sustainable Development*

home and travel to police headquarters and police stations.

of EPA).

gramme (**Table 1**).

Professional Policing Competence; one specialist module (such as Response policing, Community policing, Roads policing, Information and Intelligence, and Investigation) (This is worth 40 credits); and Professional Policing Practice Project. (This is similar to undergraduate dissertation as the preparation towards the final End Point Assessment (EPA), which will include submission of the project and a presentation to be assessed finally. However, confirmation of permanent employment as a fully operational police constable is subject to successful completion

Some other partnership developed the PCDA programme in slightly different way, for example Derbyshire Constabulary adopted the following 3-year pro-

Currently, faculty members from partnership universities go to police headquarters to teach and tripartite review of the PCDA students in makeshift temporary classrooms. Blended learning approaches are used to provide learning support including delivering little face-to-face master classes, and making all teaching and learning materials available to students via online workbooks and reading lists. Student constables rely upon their handheld devices, that is iPads and laptops connected via Wi-Fi access at force headquarters, police stations where they are attached for their field training and also at their home as the trainee officers stay at

> INITIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Year 1 Academic Level 4 Operational Deployment Tutor Patrol Phase Obtain Independent Patrol Status CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Year 2 Academic Level 5 Response Policing Community Policing Policing the Roads Information and Intelligence Conducting Investigations ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Year 3 Academic Level 6 Specialism from Year 2 Evidence Based Research Project Academic Assessment Reflective Presentation and Panel Discussion Operational Competence Portfolio

**12**

**Table 1.**

*Adopted from Derbyshire Constabulary ([75], online).*

The DHEP is a 2-year Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice programme in academic level 6. This programme is for the newly recruited constables who have a university degree in any subject except in policing. They pursue this 2-year course to learn the theoretical knowledge of policing while they in fact apply their knowledge in operational policing. The student officers recruited under the DHEP pursue work-based learning while they work as trainee officers with respective forces in various locations. They can access the online learning materials including audio-visual materials and use them at any time from any location and can engage in their academic learning activities. They earn £24,177 per annum (varied from force to force) as an officer from day one while they pursue on and off-the-job learning through this graduate diploma programme at the expense of the government during their probation period [79].

Some forces post attractive videos as part of their recruitment campaign, which outlines the recruitment process in particular how the candidates will spend half a day at the force's assessment or recruitment centre undertaking a written test, taking part in role-play, and finally being interviewed to become a police officer [80]. Fast track detectives are also recruited under the DHEP and they follow the same syllabus except learning one or two specialist modules and spending a significant period of time at specialist departments such as CID (Criminal Investigation Department). It is understood that the forces received overwhelming response from the potential detectives for the exciting and challenging Fast-Track Detective Development Programme [81]. However, confirmation of permanent employment as a police constable is subject to the successful completion of the course. Structure of this graduate diploma programme is described below:

*Modules: Total of 6 modules (may run throughout the course), each module weight 20 credits and requires 20x10= 200 study hours.*

*Year 1(level 6)*: 3 modules (3x20 credits): Policing in Context; Communities, Intelligence and Information; Law, Policy and Practice.

*Year 2 (level 6)*: 3 modules (3x20 credits): Ethics and the Policing Professional; Advance Policing Skills; and one policing in practice specialism module from the following Response Policing; Community Policing; Roads Policing; Information and Intelligence; and Investigation. Finally, the completion of a portfolio as an evidence of Full Operational Competence is required to become a fully operational police officer.

#### *4.3.3 Pre-Join Degree (PJD) programme*

This PJD programme is a standard 3-year university degree programme entitled BSc (Hons) in Professional Policing. The prospective police officers pursue this course at their own expense and upon successful completion of the degree they can apply to join any police force in England and Wales. They need to learn theoretical knowledge of policing, criminology, and criminal justice as well as various aspects of operational policing over 3 years.

*Year 1 (level 4)*: 6 modules (6x20 credits): Understanding the role of a police constable; Policing, decisions and ethics; Policing vulnerability in contemporary society; Police Legislation; Information and Intelligence; Academic skills and applied social sciences.

*Year 2 (level 5)*: 6 modules (6x20 credits): Operational policing; Professionalism, Values and Standards; Vulnerability and risks; Specialist procedures; Academic research skills; Criminological concepts.

*Year 3 (level 6)*: 6 modules (6x20 credits): Coaching and mentoring; Response policing; Community policing; Specialism—Police investigation; Specialism— Information; and Intelligence; Dissertation.

#### **4.4 Cultural change**

The police role was heavily criticised in dealing during Miner's strike (1984-85), Brixton riot (1981), Hillsborough tragedy (1989), and Stephen Lawrence's murder (1993). Reiner [13] noted that despite initial opposition of the establishment of the Metropolitan Police by the London working class, the police achieved legitimacy over 100 years (1856–1959) through 'policing by consent', but he argued that the police again lost public's trust and confidence for its politicisation in 1960. It again deteriorated after the Metropolitan Police was labelled for being institutionally racist by Sir Macpherson in his report [82] on Stephen Lawrence's murder and the Metropolitan Police's total failure in dealing with the investigation was exposed in this unprovoked racial attack in South London.

In the context of strong criticism of police application of unreasonable force against the protesters in the 1960s and 1970s, the Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure in its report (1981) proposed specific legislation and code for police work to ensure its accountability and as a result the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) was introduced with specific codes for police conduct. Following the Brixton riots (1981), Lord Scarman Report (1981) identified socio-economic factors for violent protest. Policing became a political agenda when Tony Blair declared during the 1997 election campaign that labour would be 'tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime'. He introduced the 'Crime and Disorder Act 1998' just after the election that included Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ABSO) in section 1 and later brought the 'Police Reform Act 2002'.

In answering the question 'Why degree level education?', the College of Policing justified that the existing recruit training (IPLDP) was not designed to meet the demands of policing to analyse and solve the complex problems where officers have to make difficult decisions and take responsibility for their actions. However, the serving officers mostly learn to do these on the job with additional training. The new academic professional qualifications 'will give probationary officers the best chance of reaching the level of expertise found in serving officers' ([13]: Online). The college further explains the nature of the new programmes:

*'The empathy, compassion and common sense needed in policing will be supported, not replaced by the new programmes, and will allow officers to get recognition for the complexity of their job' ([13]: Online).*

It is expected that through the higher education programmes, police education and training will make expected changes for developing professionalism with the policing practice and make a cultural shift [83–85].

#### **4.5 Challenges of newly introduced academic programmes**

As has been mentioned, the idea of introducing academic qualifications for policing was challenged by the Chief Constable of Lincolnshire in July 2019 arguing that it will put an extra burden on the police forces due to time and resource constraints [86]. The review petition relied on the academic argument of Brown ([8], p. 9) that 'the current body of research evidence is methodologically weak and there remains a gap in the literature for the provision of a convincing, unambiguous empirical case demonstrating the value added by graduates to policing'. The

**15**

*Police Education in the United Kingdom: Challenges and Future Directions*

and failure of the three newly introduced routes [87, 88].

High Court rejected the application for permission for judicial review of the PEQF in December 2019. However, it is still in a very early stage to determine the success

Several HEIs started running the College of Policing's approved 3-year Pre-Join degree BSc (Honours) in Professional Policing degree programmes from September 2019. As it is run as a regular academic programme by the universities, licensed by the College of Policing that approve the universities' programmes in line with the syllabus given by them, it will be easier to successfully run the course. But it is difficult for the HEIs to recruit enough university staff with experience of operational policing, and knowledge of policing, criminology, and law to run this degree

There is no alternative for the student police officers to learn both on-the-job

As a profession-oriented course, the PEQF programmes are aimed to prepare professional police officers and one of the major challenges the teachers face is in bringing 'the field into the classroom' and 'the classroom to the field' [90]. Incorporation of practice is essential in professional degree courses. It is proven that successful professional courses need to integrate theory and practice to bring the field into the classroom as well as take the classroom into the field [91]—so that student officers can learn theoretical knowledge about crime and policing as well as legislation and procedures in the classroom and return to field learning at their units. Following application of their knowledge in practical policing, students can pursue further learning online and come back to the classroom. According to Wrenn and Wrenn [92], then they share their experience with their tutors or trainers and ask, 'How did you handle that?' Following further discussions the teacher can present more scenarios and ask them, 'What would you do in a case like that?' ([92], p. 259). The trainee officers find this method is really helpful and effective for learning as Boud et al. [93] suggest that when an example from one's own experience is shared learning occurs. Therefore, emphasis on experience is hugely significant rather than mere listening. As a result, 'the theory becomes clearer and more easily applicable to the real cases they face in a practice situation' ([92], p. 259). Practice needs to be embedded in knowledge only Pre-Join Degree in Professional Policing, however, critical reflective thinking also needs to be embedded in the overall academic programmes based on the PEQF [10]. As degrees in Professional Policing Practice are professional and service-related studies, the main focus is not only to learn theories but also to learn how to apply the theories in practice. Hutchings ([94], p. 1) argues that 'What's at stake is the capacity to perform, to put what one knows into practice' to help students develop as professionals who are able to deal with real-world problems [95]. In learning programmes such as police education, the ability to gain and utilise knowledge from

and off-the-job as they need to learn the operational aspects, that is the reallife policing as well as theoretical aspects of policing to apply the knowledge to the relevant police work [89]. It is anticipated that there is a division of labour between the HEI and the force, although how this is implemented in practice varies across the country. However, in summary, the force is expected to deliver basic training such as how to handcuff suspects while the HEI is to provide the evidence base and critical arguments concerning their efficacy. It is rather like a driving theory and practical tests that one needs to successfully go through to be allowed to drive vehicles on the road to ensure his/her own safety as well as the safety of the other road users. Therefore, the nature and scope of the PCDA and DHEP courses and learning are characteristically different from regular degree courses as these involve students gaining knowledge, acquiring skills, and developing attitudes and behaviours to prepare themselves to face the challenges of modern-

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92705*

programme.

day policing.

#### *Police Education in the United Kingdom: Challenges and Future Directions DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92705*

*Education, Human Rights and Peace in Sustainable Development*

Information; and Intelligence; Dissertation.

this unprovoked racial attack in South London.

brought the 'Police Reform Act 2002'.

**4.4 Cultural change**

*Year 3 (level 6)*: 6 modules (6x20 credits): Coaching and mentoring; Response policing; Community policing; Specialism—Police investigation; Specialism—

The police role was heavily criticised in dealing during Miner's strike (1984-85), Brixton riot (1981), Hillsborough tragedy (1989), and Stephen Lawrence's murder (1993). Reiner [13] noted that despite initial opposition of the establishment of the Metropolitan Police by the London working class, the police achieved legitimacy over 100 years (1856–1959) through 'policing by consent', but he argued that the police again lost public's trust and confidence for its politicisation in 1960. It again deteriorated after the Metropolitan Police was labelled for being institutionally racist by Sir Macpherson in his report [82] on Stephen Lawrence's murder and the Metropolitan Police's total failure in dealing with the investigation was exposed in

In the context of strong criticism of police application of unreasonable force against the protesters in the 1960s and 1970s, the Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure in its report (1981) proposed specific legislation and code for police work to ensure its accountability and as a result the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) was introduced with specific codes for police conduct. Following the Brixton riots (1981), Lord Scarman Report (1981) identified socio-economic factors for violent protest. Policing became a political agenda when Tony Blair declared during the 1997 election campaign that labour would be 'tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime'. He introduced the 'Crime and Disorder Act 1998' just after the election that included Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ABSO) in section 1 and later

In answering the question 'Why degree level education?', the College of Policing justified that the existing recruit training (IPLDP) was not designed to meet the demands of policing to analyse and solve the complex problems where officers have to make difficult decisions and take responsibility for their actions. However, the serving officers mostly learn to do these on the job with additional training. The new academic professional qualifications 'will give probationary officers the best chance of reaching the level of expertise found in serving officers' ([13]: Online).

*'The empathy, compassion and common sense needed in policing will be supported, not replaced by the new programmes, and will allow officers to get recognition for* 

It is expected that through the higher education programmes, police education and training will make expected changes for developing professionalism with the

As has been mentioned, the idea of introducing academic qualifications for policing was challenged by the Chief Constable of Lincolnshire in July 2019 arguing that it will put an extra burden on the police forces due to time and resource constraints [86]. The review petition relied on the academic argument of Brown ([8], p. 9) that 'the current body of research evidence is methodologically weak and there remains a gap in the literature for the provision of a convincing, unambiguous empirical case demonstrating the value added by graduates to policing'. The

The college further explains the nature of the new programmes:

*the complexity of their job' ([13]: Online).*

policing practice and make a cultural shift [83–85].

**4.5 Challenges of newly introduced academic programmes**

**14**

High Court rejected the application for permission for judicial review of the PEQF in December 2019. However, it is still in a very early stage to determine the success and failure of the three newly introduced routes [87, 88].

Several HEIs started running the College of Policing's approved 3-year Pre-Join degree BSc (Honours) in Professional Policing degree programmes from September 2019. As it is run as a regular academic programme by the universities, licensed by the College of Policing that approve the universities' programmes in line with the syllabus given by them, it will be easier to successfully run the course. But it is difficult for the HEIs to recruit enough university staff with experience of operational policing, and knowledge of policing, criminology, and law to run this degree programme.

There is no alternative for the student police officers to learn both on-the-job and off-the-job as they need to learn the operational aspects, that is the reallife policing as well as theoretical aspects of policing to apply the knowledge to the relevant police work [89]. It is anticipated that there is a division of labour between the HEI and the force, although how this is implemented in practice varies across the country. However, in summary, the force is expected to deliver basic training such as how to handcuff suspects while the HEI is to provide the evidence base and critical arguments concerning their efficacy. It is rather like a driving theory and practical tests that one needs to successfully go through to be allowed to drive vehicles on the road to ensure his/her own safety as well as the safety of the other road users. Therefore, the nature and scope of the PCDA and DHEP courses and learning are characteristically different from regular degree courses as these involve students gaining knowledge, acquiring skills, and developing attitudes and behaviours to prepare themselves to face the challenges of modernday policing.

As a profession-oriented course, the PEQF programmes are aimed to prepare professional police officers and one of the major challenges the teachers face is in bringing 'the field into the classroom' and 'the classroom to the field' [90]. Incorporation of practice is essential in professional degree courses. It is proven that successful professional courses need to integrate theory and practice to bring the field into the classroom as well as take the classroom into the field [91]—so that student officers can learn theoretical knowledge about crime and policing as well as legislation and procedures in the classroom and return to field learning at their units. Following application of their knowledge in practical policing, students can pursue further learning online and come back to the classroom. According to Wrenn and Wrenn [92], then they share their experience with their tutors or trainers and ask, 'How did you handle that?' Following further discussions the teacher can present more scenarios and ask them, 'What would you do in a case like that?' ([92], p. 259). The trainee officers find this method is really helpful and effective for learning as Boud et al. [93] suggest that when an example from one's own experience is shared learning occurs. Therefore, emphasis on experience is hugely significant rather than mere listening. As a result, 'the theory becomes clearer and more easily applicable to the real cases they face in a practice situation' ([92], p. 259).

Practice needs to be embedded in knowledge only Pre-Join Degree in Professional Policing, however, critical reflective thinking also needs to be embedded in the overall academic programmes based on the PEQF [10]. As degrees in Professional Policing Practice are professional and service-related studies, the main focus is not only to learn theories but also to learn how to apply the theories in practice. Hutchings ([94], p. 1) argues that 'What's at stake is the capacity to perform, to put what one knows into practice' to help students develop as professionals who are able to deal with real-world problems [95]. In learning programmes such as police education, the ability to gain and utilise knowledge from

practice [96] and skill building [97] is pivotal as the best learning environment is created when experience and knowledge are integrated within a course such as the DHEP and PCDA.

Experience of police training in various parts of the world shows that the police students prefer on-the-job training to academic studies such as driving police vehicles, shadowing patrol teams, or practising situations for quick and better understanding of practical policing [98]. Therefore, bringing field experience to the classroom of the DHEP and PCDA learners is mandatory as the popularity of reality TV shows proves that people prefer watching other's lives unfold. Enhanced learning models should be applied in police training so that learning can be made relevant, useful, and effective by bringing the real world of policing into the classroom. This will create an opportunity to stimulate the innovative, common sense, and dynamic learners as McCarthy [99] emphasises on educating the 'whole brain' in addition to educating all types of learners. Most importantly, student officers' voices should be heard and their views should be taken into account in planning, designing, and delivering these academic programmes. Their learning expectations should also be considered as the potential police officers consider policing as a job as practical, exercised on the street, close to people, and with hands-on duties rather than sitting behind an office desk [100]. At the same time, it needs to be appreciated that the aim of the newly introduced three routes of police recruitment is to ultimately help to develop police studies as a well-established academic discipline.

Wrenn and Wrenn ([92], p. 258) argued that 'Educators in professional or service-related fields desire their students not only to learn theory and understand why theories are important but also to learn how to apply the theoretical frameworks in practice'. This is absolutely applicable in the case of teaching and learning in Professional Policing Practice degree programmes. Lecturers and police trainers should assist the students to learn how to apply their knowledge and skills in practical policing and help them to develop their attitude and behaviours accordingly. Integration of practice and theory is the central consideration of all learning [93] and students learn by doing and solving problems in real-life contexts [101, 102]. Rief ([103], p. 53) noted that students retain '10% of what they read, 20% of what they hear, 30% of what they see, 50% of what they see and hear, 70% of what they say and 90% of what they say and do'. A study by Kramer et al. [104] found that students taught by a practising faculty member scored higher as Good and Schubert [105] argue that they are able to relate theory to practice effectively. Genuine knowledge, understanding, and skills derive not from abstract thoughts, but rather by integrating thinking and practical application of the same.

Undoubtedly an active learning environment enhances the integration of practice and theory in the classroom involving students [106]. However, a substantial amount of materials provided for these academic programmes is self-learning materials access through Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It is, therefore, essential to make the online learning materials more interactive as most of the time the trainee officers have to engage with their online materials. These also need to be presented in an organised way so that student officers from diverse academic backgrounds find the provided materials user-friendly and to help them to bridge their knowledge and skill gaps to provide a comfortable and enjoyable learning experience.

Because of the nature and structure of these programmes, different blending learning approaches are useful as the students can access their learning materials at any time from anywhere [107]. Apart from online live sessions, all electronic course materials could be downloaded in their devices and used offline. However, for online access they would require internet connection whether they are at their

**17**

*Police Education in the United Kingdom: Challenges and Future Directions*

homes or workplaces (police headquarters or police stations). In practice, some may struggle to have uninterrupted broadband access and some of them struggle to

In Australia, Charles Sturt University works with the NSW Police Academy where university lecturers and experienced police trainers teach and run university courses and officers are awarded a degree by the university. Police trainers need to involve students in the classroom and keep in mind that an active learning environment enhances the integration of practice and theory in the classroom by engaging students. As part of online learning and face-to-face master classes, students need to be involved in various activities as activities allow students to clarify, question, consolidate, and appropriate new knowledge [108]. However, although experience may be the foundation of learning, it does not automatically lead to it [93] and experiences alone is not enough for learning to take place and it

Unlike previous contents for police training, the modules developed for the PEQF programmes highlight vulnerability, legitimacy, equality, diversity, and ethical issues along with the National Decision Model [109]. These are the changes that highlight transformation of police education, in particular to prepare the newly recruited officers with necessary knowledge and skills to fulfil demands of time as well as to develop their skills, attitudes, and behaviours to bring them outside the

One of the key issues about the nature of partnership related to the leadership could be a challenge. There could be debates whether this academic and professional partnership should be led by HEIs or the police forces. In most cases, these are HEIs which lead the partnerships so that they can comply with the national Apprenticeship Standard for the PCDA programme [110]. Some forces may choose co-delivery approach and some may decide for their programme to be the police force led where they will develop course materials in line with the NPC and will be approved by the partner HEIs. In those cases, the main workload will be on the partner forces to implement the programme. Questions may be raised about the quality assurance and student learning experience of this type of programme. Within the HEIs, there are discussions whether the PCDA, DHEP, and Pre-Join degree programmes should be led by a pure academic or a practitioner-turnedacademic as they are involved in curriculum design, development of course materials, coordinating modules and assessments, and running the overall programme. However, they need to decide on the availability of people with relevant knowledge, skills, and experience. The differing partnerships may also raise issues in regards to

There has been a reduction in the number of police officers, trainers, and training facilities [111, 112]. To address the shortage of police officers, when the Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in 2019 to recruit 20000 new officers for the police forces across the country, neither the police forces, nor the HEIs were prepared although some universities in the UK have a long-standing working relationship with the police service as they helped the forces in developing their

obtain proper connections at police premises due to existing restrictions.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92705*

requires a theoretical base.

**5. Major challenges**

**5.1 Leadership of the partnership**

the uniformity of delivery across the country.

**5.2 University faculty recruitment**

traditional rank and file mindset and police culture.

#### *Police Education in the United Kingdom: Challenges and Future Directions DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92705*

homes or workplaces (police headquarters or police stations). In practice, some may struggle to have uninterrupted broadband access and some of them struggle to obtain proper connections at police premises due to existing restrictions.

In Australia, Charles Sturt University works with the NSW Police Academy where university lecturers and experienced police trainers teach and run university courses and officers are awarded a degree by the university. Police trainers need to involve students in the classroom and keep in mind that an active learning environment enhances the integration of practice and theory in the classroom by engaging students. As part of online learning and face-to-face master classes, students need to be involved in various activities as activities allow students to clarify, question, consolidate, and appropriate new knowledge [108]. However, although experience may be the foundation of learning, it does not automatically lead to it [93] and experiences alone is not enough for learning to take place and it requires a theoretical base.

Unlike previous contents for police training, the modules developed for the PEQF programmes highlight vulnerability, legitimacy, equality, diversity, and ethical issues along with the National Decision Model [109]. These are the changes that highlight transformation of police education, in particular to prepare the newly recruited officers with necessary knowledge and skills to fulfil demands of time as well as to develop their skills, attitudes, and behaviours to bring them outside the traditional rank and file mindset and police culture.
