Course Catalogue

Justice Studies

This module aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge to enable them to demonstrate a structured approach to studying, writing essays and referencing content. Whilst identifying the need for self-evaluation, self-improvement and reflective practice, alongside recognising the need for a physical and psychological work-life balance This module will emphasise the importance of communication within policing, with a focus on policing diverse communities. Determining the key influences on the decision-making process and the importance of team-working and leadership skills within a policing context.

Outline Syllabus:
Research methods and skills. The development of a writing style. Leadership and Team working. Communication skills. Decision Making and Discretion. Well-being and resilience.

Module Overview:
This module aims to provide you with the necessary knowledge to enable you to demonstrate a structured approach to studying, writing essays and referencing content whilst identifying the need for self-evaluation, self-improvement and reflective practice, alongside recognising the need for a physical and psychological work-life balance.

Additional Information:
Lectures and other activities will provide the students with information, which they will then be able to apply practically, within the tasks and experiences incorporated into the workshops. Discussions and activities such as recognising the need for self-evaluation, self-improvement and reflective practice. Students will also undertake practical sessions, taking part in a practical role play practicing on the use of Police airwave handsets.

The Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours covered in this module are:

Knowledge: 

• The ethics and values of professional policing, including: duty of care, service delivery, employment practice, efficiency, effectiveness and value for money, Code of Ethics, professional standards, and equality, diversity and human rights.
• Applicable aspects of Authorised Professional Practice (the official source of policing professional practice), legal and organisational requirements relating to the operational policing context (response, community, intelligence, investigation and roads/transport).
• Conduct diligent and efficient, priority and high volume investigations
• How to interpret and apply the letter and essence of all relevant law, as it relates to any encountered policing situation, incident or context.
• Social behaviour and society, including their origins, development, organisation, networks and institutions and how this relates to policing across diverse and increasingly complex communities.
• The causes, mitigations and prevention of crime and how this knowledge and understanding can influence and be applied to accountable decision-making in all operational policing environments.
• In-depth knowledge, understanding and expertise relevant to organisational/local needs, including the following operational policing contexts: response, community, intelligence, investigation and roads/transport.
• Different approaches to systematic evidence-based preventative policing, including how to critically analyse, interpret, implement, share and evaluate findings to problem solve and further positive outcomes. These may relate to internal organisational practice or external social or criminal factors.

Skills:

• Apply Authorised Professional Practice and any local policy applicable to the operational policing context.
• Communicate effectively, in accordance with the varied needs of differing situations, individuals, groups and communities. Use own communication skills to manage planned and uncertain situations, and to persuade / lead others as needed.
• Manage dynamic conflict situations in policing through leadership, and by dealing with a wide range of behaviours and incidents, taking personal accountability for the use of proportionate and justifiable responses and actions.
• Manage and conduct effective and efficient priority and high volume investigations. Use initiative to diligently progress investigations, identifying, evaluating and following lines of enquiry to inform the possible initiation of criminal proceedings. Apply an investigative mind-set when decision-making. Present permissible evidence to authorities where required.
• Assess risk and threats across increasingly complex policing contexts, to take decisions and evaluate initiatives and their outcomes, including the impact of differing actions and methods, in accordance with the policing national decision- making model and evidence-based principles. Take account of the best available evidence from a wide array of sources, including research & analysis, when making decisions. Apply justified discretion when appropriate and it is in the public interest to do so.
• Use police legal powers to deal with suspects, victims and witnesses across various challenging situations, conducting all actions in a balanced, proportionate and justifiable manner.
• Proactively introduce new ways of working and innovation to police work where appropriate and possible, and apply critical thinking across policing activities within own area of responsibility.

Behaviours

• Taking accountability - Being accountable and taking ownership for own role and responsibilities, whilst being effective and willing to take appropriate, justifiable risks.
• Emotionally astute - Understand and effectively manage own emotions in stressful situations, understanding motivations and underlying reasons for own behaviour and that of others, including colleagues. Value diversity and difference in approaches to work, thinking and background, and treat people with sensitivity, compassion and warmth.
• Curious and Innovative - Have an inquisitive and outward-looking nature, searching for new information to understand alternative sources of best practice and implement creative working methods. Committed to reflecting on how own role is undertaken, learning from success and mistakes, to continuously review and adapt approach.
• Collaborative - Work effectively with colleagues and external partners, sharing skills, knowledge and insights as appropriate to lead to the best possible results.
• Supportive & inspirational leading - Role model the police service’s values in day-to-day activities, providing inspiration and clarity to colleagues and stakeholders. Consider how the wider organisation and others are impacted, and help others to deliver their objectives effectively.

All assessed components on this module must be successfully passed for credit to be released.