BSc (Hons) Professional Policing

• Year 1

• Semester 1 – Who are the police and what do they do?

  You will start with a history of the modern police, their role and function and how they respond to public need and gain insights into roads policing and the trauma experienced by first responders.

  Module PPD 4001. Introduction to British policing
  This module provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the profession of policing in modern Britain. It explores the structure and function of the police service, the unique position of the office of constable, and how the police secure and maintain public consent for policing to take place. It describes the exercise of using police powers without favour or affection, malice or ill will and the role of the College of Policing in developing and maintaining national standards and evidence-based policing.

  Module PPD 4002. First responders
  This module introduces the acute customer facing activities of response officers and the challenges faced by those at the 'sharp end' of policing. It examines the personal impact on officers of handling trauma and violence. It also explains the controversial aspects of policing the road network, both for the safety of road uses, as well as denying criminals the use of the roads.

  Module PPD 4003. The importance of knowledge in policing
  Intelligence is the lifeblood of policing and this module will identify the key aspects of the National Intelligence Model and explain the challenges associated with the collection, analysis, dissemination and practical applications of criminal and community intelligence. The legislation on handling and storing police information is also explored using case studies.

  Semester 2 – Criminology and communities

  Understanding the causes of crime and applying criminological theory, you will problem-solve real policing issues by analysing criminal and community intelligence. 

  Module PPD 4004. Getting the grease to the squeak
  This module explains the history and development of problem-oriented policing and students will interpret the problem analysis triangle and SARA models alongside criminological concepts such as routine activity and rational choice theories. The module encourages reflection on evidence-based policing foundations to develop creative and innovative approaches to solving policing problems.

  Module PPD 4005. Moving beyond 'the Bobby on the beat'
  This module illustrates the challenges associated with trying to police both economically and socially deprived urban environments as well as isolated coastal and rural communities. Students will utilise their understanding of community policing to dissect the complicated interactions between community needs and how policing treads a fine line to improve community cohesion. This will be exemplified in case studies examining the strengths of communities when they come together, whilst acknowledging the issues associated with assumptions about the “greater good”.

  Module PPD 4006. Why crimes occur and how to prevent them
  This module provides introduction to criminology and sociology as they relate to the causes and prevention of criminal activities. Building on the work of the module entitled “Getting the Grease to the Squeak” this module outlines the concept of procedural justice and applies criminological theory to the creation of innovative crime prevention solution as well as reviewing national crime prevention strategies and high-profile initiatives.

  Core modules

  • Introduction to British Policing (PPD4001)

    This module provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the profession of policing in modern Britain. It explores the structure and function of the police service, the unique position of the office of constable, and how the police secure and maintain public consent for policing to take place. It describes the exercise of using police powers without favour or affection, malice or ill will and the role of the College of Policing in developing and maintaining national standards and evidence-based policing.

  • First Responders (PPD4002)

    This module introduces the acute customer facing activities of response officers and the challenges faced by those at the “sharp end” of policing. It examines the personal impact on officers of handling trauma and violence. It also explains the controversial aspects of policing the road network, both for the safety of road uses, as well as denying criminal the use of the roads.

  • The Importance of Knowledge in Policing (PPD4003)

    Intelligence is the lifeblood of policing, and this module will identify the key aspects of the National Intelligence Model and explain the challenges associated with the collection, analysis, dissemination and practical applications of criminal and community intelligence. The legislation on handling and storing police information is also explored using case studies.

  • Getting the Grease to the Squeak (PPD4004)

    This module explains the history and development of problem-oriented policing and students will interpret the problem analysis triangle and SARA models alongside criminological concepts such as routine activity and rational choice theories. The module encourages reflection on evidence-based policing foundations to develop creative and innovative approaches to solving policing problems.

  • Moving Beyond the "Bobby on the Beat" (PPD4005)

    This module Illustrates the challenges associated with trying to police both economically and socially deprived urban environments as well as isolated coastal and rural communities. Students will utilise their understanding of community policing to dissect the complicated interactions between community needs and how policing treads a fine line to improve community cohesion. This will be exemplified in case studies examining the strengths of communities when they come together, whilst acknowledging the issues associated with assumptions about the “greater good”.

  • Why Crimes Occur and How to Prevent Them (PPD4006)

    This module provides introduction to criminology and sociology as they relate to the causes and prevention of criminal activities. Building on the work of the module entitled “Getting the Grease to the Squeak” this module outlines the concept of procedural justice and applies criminological theory to the creation of innovative crime prevention solution as well as reviewing national crime prevention strategies and high-profile initiatives.

• Year 2

• Semester 1 – From crime scene to court

  Immersing yourself in our realistic crime scene you will form investigative hypotheses, interview live suspects, and develop policing skills to solve a murder scenario. 

  Module PPD 5001. Crime scenes and suspect Interviews
  In this module students will investigate a simulated serious crime scenario. Starting from a real-life or virtual reality crime scene students will secure the area, collect samples for forensic analysis, look at the wider collection of evidence from victims, witnesses, CCTV etc. and interview a suspect in real time using the PEACE model of police interviewing. This will help to dispel any myths about the investigation process that you may have from watching police TV and film dramas and to concentrate on the significant issues associated with investigator bias, forensic capture, and witness capability.

  Module PPD 5002. No witness, no justice
  The complexities associated with victim and witness evidence and the care required when dealing with them are demonstrated and analysed. Personal communication skills and the ability to manage inter-personal conflict in a professional manner will be addressed practically and theoretically.

  Module PPD 5003. Delivering justice
  No policing degree can be complete without a detailed understanding of the UK criminal justice system and the role of the police within it. Students will look at a crime and take it through the criminal justice process, the Crown Prosecution Service, a simulated Magistrates and Crown Court, and look at prison and probation as well the often-neglected role of the police with Her Majesties’ Coroner when seeking to understand why and how a person has died.

  Semester 2 – The ethics of the police

  The police service operates in a risky environment with the need for fast paced but high-quality decision making. You will work through real-life case studies where the police have caused the death of a member of the public to enhance your decision-making capabilities under stress.

  Module PPD5004. Managing critical incidents
  The police service operates in a risky environment with the need for fast paced but high-quality decision making. The presence near Plymouth of a Naval dockyard, Critical National Infrastructure, a football club, and well-known rave sites, gives ample opportunity to experientially examine the National Police Decision Model and its links to the Code of Ethics. Students will also look at policing protests and the discretion available to the police during such critical incidents. We will use real-life case studies where the police have caused the death or serious injury of a member of the public to dissect the heuristic nature of police decision making. 

  Module PPD 5005. Equality and diversity and human rights
  This module will build on the policing communities work from year one and take a more detailed and nuanced look at those communities who are perceived as 'other', especially in rural environments. How is it possible to improve community cohesion and the quality of police service offering to those who are marginalised or neglected by public services across the peace? The lived experiences of Black and Minority ethnic, LGBTQ+, faith, disabled, and travelling communities will be explored through the involvement of members of those communities.

  Module PPD 5006. Research and methodology skills
  This module will develop your enquiring mindset and equip you with the essential skills of an academic researcher in preparation for your dissertation. It will look at the importance of evidence-based policing and the benefits and pitfalls associated with qualitative and quantitative, inductive and deductive research methods.

  Core modules

  • Crime Scenes and Suspect Interviews (PPD5001)

    In this module students will investigate a simulated serious crime scenario. Starting from a real-life or virtual reality crime scene students will secure the area, collect samples for forensic analysis, look at the wider collection of evidence from victims, witnesses, CCTV etc and interview a suspect in real time using the PEACE model of police interviewing. This will help to dispel any myths about the investigation process from watching police TV and film dramas and concentrates on the significant issues associated with investigator bias, forensic capture, and witness capability.

  • No Witness, No Justice (PPD5002)

    In this module the complexities associated with victim and witness evidence and the care required when dealing with them are demonstrated and analysed. Personal communication skills and the ability to manage inter-personal conflict in a professional manner will be addressed practically and theoretically.

  • Delivering Justice (PPD5003)

    No policing degree can be complete without a detailed understanding of the UK criminal justice system and the role of the police within it. Students will look at a crime and take it through the criminal justice process, the Crown Prosecution Service, a simulated Magistrates and Crown Court, and look at prison and probation as well the often-neglected role of the police with Her Majesties’ Coroner when seeking to understand why and how a person has died.

  • Managing Critical Incidents (PPD5004)

    The police service operates in a risky environment with the need for fast paced but high-quality decision making. The presence near Plymouth of a Naval dockyard, Critical National Infrastructure, a football club, and well-known rave sites, gives ample opportunity to experientially examine the National Police Decision Model and its links to the Code of Ethics. Students will also look at policing protests and the discretion available to the police during such critical incidents. We will use real-life case studies where the police have caused the death or serious injury of a member of the public to dissect the heuristic nature of police decision making.

  • Equality, Diversity and Human Rights (PPD5005)

    This module builds on the Policing Communities work from stage 1 and takes a more detailed and nuanced look at those communities who are perceived as “other”, especially in rural environments. How is it possible to improve community cohesion and the quality of police service offering to those who are marginalised or neglected by public services across the peace? The lived experiences of Black and Minority ethnic, LGBTQ+, faith, disabled, and travelling communities will be explored through the involvement of members of those communities.

  • Research and Methodology Skills (PPD5006)

    This module will develop the student’s enquiring mindset and equip them with the essential skills of an academic researcher in preparation for the final year dissertation. It will look at the importance of evidence-based policing and the benefits and pitfalls associated with qualitative and quantitative, inductive and deductive research methods.

• Final year

• Semester 1 – Protecting the vulnerable

  You will challenge your understanding of how to safeguard the vulnerable, protecting children and tackling extremist radicalisation and domestic abuse. 

  Module PPD 6002. Understanding and managing vulnerability
  This module defines the concept of vulnerability and analyses the national drivers for the police in providing a professional and ethical service to people who are, or may be, vulnerable, suffering harm or at risk of harm. It uses national examples of vulnerability and risk, such as the Baby P case and gang culture, to develop a deep understanding of the psychology of vulnerability and the importance of a bespoke police response to handling the associated challenges.

  Module PPD 6001. Working together to keep people safe in a democracy
  This module offers students the opportunity to analyse and critically examine the issues associated with public protection, child and adult safeguarding to identify and mitigate the risks to vulnerable people through multi-agency interventions and policy making. It will also look in detail at counter terrorism work and the links between diversity and inclusion, community cohesion and the nature of radicalisation.

  Semester 2 – Criminology and communities

  Police corruption and cyber-crime are examined in depth, and you will be able to contribute to the development of evidenced-based policing through your dissertation research into real-world policing problems. 

  Module PPD 6003. Keeping people safe in the digital age
  The area of digital policing is explored in detail as there can be no criminal cases in the modern world that do not involve cyber-derived evidence from phones and other mobile electronic devices. The prevalence of online hate crime, fraud, bullying and sexual exploitation are examined with a view to synthesising the literature into a roadmap for protecting people in a digital environment.

  Module PPD 6004. Who guards the guards themselves?
  The ethics of the police service and standards of morality and probity in public life are a matter of constant concern. Drawing on international counter corruption experience this module will examine police corruption, its causes, the harm it produces and the cultural icons of the police service, such as the 'blue wall of silence' that might encourage corrupt or improper behaviours.

  All year – Dissertation

  Module PPD 6000. Dissertation

  This 40-credit module straddles both semesters and offers the opportunity for students to research an area of policing in which they have a particular interest, based on their stage 1 and 2 studies. It will be linked with Devon and Cornwall Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall who will propose topics in which they need research to be conducted. In this way the University aims to put the dissertation at the forefront of policing innovation as it will actively assist the police and OPCC in scanning, analysing and developing evidence based policing policy in new and emerging areas of criminological concern.

  Core modules

  • Dissertation (PPD6000)

    This 40-credit module straddles both semesters and offers the opportunity for students to research an area of policing in which they have a particular interest, based on their stage 1 and 2 studies. It will be linked with Devon and Cornwall Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall who will propose topics in which they need research to be conducted. In this way the University aims to put the dissertation at the forefront of policing innovation as it will actively assist the police and OPCC in scanning, analysing and developing evidence based policing policy in new and emerging areas of criminological concern.

  • Working Together to Keep People Safe in a Democracy (PPD6001)

    This module offers students the opportunity to analyse and critically examine the issues associated with public protection, child and adult safeguarding, to identify and mitigate the risks to vulnerable people through multi-agency interventions and policy making. It will also look in detail at counter terrorism work and the links between diversity and inclusion, community cohesion and the nature of radicalisation.

  • Understanding and Managing Vulnerability (PPD6002)

    This module defines the concept of vulnerability and analyses the national drivers for the police in providing a professional and ethical service to people who are, or may be, vulnerable, suffering harm or at risk of harm. It uses national examples of vulnerability and risk, such as the Baby P case and gang culture, to develop a deep understanding of the psychology of vulnerability and the importance of a bespoke police response to handling the associated challenges.

  • Keeping People Safe in the Digital Age (PPD6003)

    The area of digital policing is explored in detail as there can be no criminal cases in the modern world that do not involve cyber-derived evidence from phones and other mobile electronic devices. The prevalence of online hate crime, fraud, bullying and sexual exploitation are examined with a view to synthesising the literature into a roadmap for protecting people in a digital environment.

  • Who Guards the Guards Themselves (PPD6004)

    The ethics of the police service and standards of morality and probity in public life are a matter of constant concern. Drawing on international counter corruption experience this module will examine police corruption, its causes, the harm it produces and the cultural icons of the police service, such as the “blue wall of silence” that might encourage corrupt or improper behaviours.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Professional Policing programme specification 7191