Course Catalogue

Justice Studies

This module takes the DAs through a journey of identifying the complexities and importance of running an effective and lawful investigation. Analysing potential links between serious and organised crime(tier 2/ 3) and public protection issues. Investigating the fine line between protector and perpetrator, by examining instances where law enforcement personnel have misused their position of authority and police powers, to commit sexual offences. DAs will evaluate the effect of media coverage on public protection policing strategy, especially in relation high-profile cases resulting in major investigations. 

Outline Syllabus:
'Volume and priority' crime (tier 1) and 'serious and complex' investigations (tier 2/ 3). Sources of intelligence. Conducting interviews. The psychological impact of abuse on victims. The effectiveness of current public protection practices, in investigating public protection incidents. The value of MAAPA and community intelligence. Potential links between serious and organised crime and public protection issues. Public protection policing strategy and the media. Misuse of position of authority and police powers.

Module Overview:
This module will take you on a journey of identifying the complexities and importance of running an effective and lawful investigation. You will analyse potential links between serious and organised crime and public protection issues. You will investigate the fine line between protector and perpetrator by examining instances where law enforcement personnel have misused their position of authority and police powers to commit sexual offences. You will evaluate the effect of media coverage on public protection policing strategy, especially in relation high-profile cases resulting in major investigations.

Additional Information:
Lectures and other activities will provide the DAs with information to then enable them to practically apply the knowledge acquired, within the tasks and experiences incorporated into the workshops. Discussions and activities such as will differentiate between 'volume and priority' crime and 'serious and complex' investigations. Or, to evaluating the effectiveness of current public protection practices, in investigating public protection incidents Nb. As part of PSRB requirements there will be a pass/ fail element in this module related to the OCP.

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

The following Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours will be met in this module:

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.
• Key cross-cutting and inter-dependent areas of policing, including: roles and responsibilities, criminal justice, counter terrorism, vulnerability (including public protection and mental health) and risk.
• 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).
• Effectively respond to incidents, preserving scenes and evidence when necessary.
• 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.
• Manage and resolve conflict safely and lawfully.
• Arrest, detain and report individuals safely and lawfully.
• Conduct diligent and efficient, priority and high volume investigations.
• Effectively interview victims, witnesses and suspects
• 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.
• Gather, handle and accurately analyse information and intelligence from a variety of sources to support law enforcement and to maximise policing effectiveness.
• 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 effective and ethical searches for evidence and information in differing environments. Take responsibility for courses of action required to follow-up on findings (within remit of own role) to maintain the peace and uphold the law.
• Provide an initial, autonomous and ongoing response to incidents, which can be complex, confrontational and life- threatening, to bring about the best possible outcomes. Provide an initial, autonomous response to crime scenes, where encountered, that require the management and preservation of evidence and exhibits.
• Provide leadership to protect the public, and empathetic and appropriate support to victims, witnesses and vulnerable people.
• 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.
• Interview victims, witnesses and suspects (including those who may be non-compliant, or have been intimidated or coerced) effectively, in relation to a range of investigations, some of which may be multi-dimensional.
• 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.
• Plan, apply and evaluate different policing approaches alongside partner organisations or as part of a multi-disciplinary team to address identified, often complex, issues, concerns and situations to reduce and prevent crime in communities. Provide supportive leadership to community groups, making informed decisions that encourage the delivery of localised strategies.

Behaviours

• Taking accountability - Being accountable and taking ownership for own role and responsibilities, whilst being effective and willing to take appropriate, justifiable risks.
• Professional integrity - Maintain the highest standards of professionalism and trustworthiness, making sure that values, moral codes and ethical standards are always upheld, including challenging others where appropriate.
• 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.