Policing Vision 2030 sets out the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and National Police Chief’s Council long-term professional development strategy for policing until 2030. This new vision aims to build on the Policing Vision 2025.
By Editorial Team. Published 22 November 2019. Last updated 23 April 2024.
Policing is a challenging yet rewarding career that requires a high level of responsibility and ethics. With this, the role of police officers has significantly shifted from what it was 30 years ago, and this is due to a dramatic change in criminal behaviour. The modern day police officer is challenged by complex and diverse communities where cyber-crime and human trafficking present on a daily basis. Since policing became a graduate profession in 2020, we’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure the training and knowledge needed is reflected in our policing degrees. This includes adapting to the Policing Vision 2030.
Samantha Kelley, our Policing Lecturer, and former Superintendent of Humberside and latterly West Yorkshire Police with 30 years’ experience, said “The change to the way in which the police are recruiting future officers responds to a real shift in modern day crime and the type of skills that future officers will need to tackle these challenges. Globalisation, advancements in technology and changes in society have meant that crime has become far more sophisticated and complex and is no longer contained to identifiable geographies within the UK. Local communities have also changed, requiring much greater cultural awareness and sensitivity. Our degree offers a true blend of both theory and practical application that will provide our graduates with an exceptional foundation for a career in the police.”
The police service now requires officers to take a sophisticated and informed approach to problems of the 21st century and this requires a fundamental shift in the way that they are trained. This strategy will support officers and allow them to get recognition for the complexity of their job.
There will be three entry paths to policing, and these will be via:
Apprenticeship – You can join as a constable and follow an apprenticeship in professional policing practice. This usually takes three years and when you successfully finish the programme, you will complete your probation and achieve a degree.
Degree-holder entry – If you already have a degree (in any subject), you can join the force and follow a work-based programme, supported by off-the-job learning. This takes approximately two years, and you will receive a graduate diploma in professional policing after completing your probation.
Pre-join degree – This is where we come in. You can complete a three year degree, for instance our BA (Hons) in Professional Policing, then apply to a force and follow a shorter on-the-job training programme. We also offer an accelerated two year version of the BA (Hons) in Professional Policing and a BA (Hons) in Criminology and Policing.
The pre-join degree ensures students have the relevant knowledge before applying to a police force and, upon successful recruitment into a police force, they will then undergo further practical training.
Matthew Tomlinson, Dean of our Leeds Campus, said “This promises to be a very exciting programme and is an excellent fit with our existing legal courses and excellence in providing professional legal training.”
Our degree programme is delivered by a multidisciplinary team, including former officers who have held senior rank within the police service and who represent a range of experience and expertise. The courses are delivered in a very practical way and designed to build decision making and critical thinking skills from day one. The syllabus offers extensive coverage of different crime types and different areas of policing. We also allow students the ability to choose from a range of optional modules including, Forensic and Criminal Psychology, Cyber Crime, Youth and Crime and Zemiology.
Find out more about our policing degrees and enrol today.
