Course description

Whilst studying on our BA (Hons) Professional Policing, you will explore a wide range of theoretical and legislative subjects and gain the knowledge you need for a rewarding career in the police service.

The highlights

• This degree is designed and delivered in close partnership with local constabularies to give you a head start in your career
• We encourage and support you to become a special constable with either Derbyshire Constabulary, Nottinghamshire Police or British Transport Police which enables you to put your studies into practice
• We equip you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need to become an effective police officer
• Visits to police stations, prisons and victim support centres will give you a close look at how the criminal justice system works
• Our academic staff have wide-ranging experience in policing and are pioneering influential research
• Learn in specialist facilities such as our custody suite and replica crown court

Please note that completion of this degree does not guarantee employment as a police officer or police staff.

Policing - your questions answered

In the below video, Policing Lecturer, Katherine Hewitt, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Policing at the University of Derby.

Why this course?

Our BA (Hons) Professional Policing provides the ideal preparation for one of the most challenging professions of all. It equips you with an in-depth understanding of the role of a police officer today, including a thorough grasp of criminal justice systems and the powers and laws used by the police throughout England and Wales. You will graduate with a highly regarded and valuable qualification to stand you in good stead for a policing career.

Volunteering

You will be encouraged to seek work-based opportunities through membership in the Special Constabulary, as well as other volunteer opportunities. In the past, some of our students have been commended for their actions in the role of Special Constable by the forces they represent – including one student who helped to save someone's life.

Expert teaching

We have a team of academics with years of policing experience at all levels. You can also draw on our excellent network of contacts ranging from chief constables and crime commissioners to representatives of national and international policing organisations.

Our outstanding visiting speaker and events programme captures topical issues and debates. Recent guests have included policing experts from the USA – a retired police Captain, a retired Chief of Police and a current SWAT commander – who provided a unique insight into their policing models. In addition, the former Chief Constable of Derbyshire shared experiences from his career, the changes which have transformed the profession and the challenges for policing in the 21st Century.

Your studies will be underpinned by our leading-edge research into the explanations and motivations for criminal behaviour and how criminal activity can be detected and prevented. This includes a focus on the notion of policing itself, ethical codes, human rights and police governance.

Specialist facilities

As a BA (Hons) Professional Policing student, you will be based on the Derby Campus at One Friar Gate Square. Offering the perfect environment for innovative and engaging teaching, it includes:

• A replica crown court
• Custody suite
• Interview rooms
• Well-resourced lecture theatres
• Seminar rooms
• Social learning spaces.
• Students have also been able to make use of other specialist facilities at the University such as our forensic crime scene house

Because you’ll be working alongside students taking courses in subjects such as law, criminology and sociology, there are many opportunities to share knowledge, expertise and experience.

How you will learn

You will learn through a stimulating mix of:

• lectures and tutorials
• seminars and workshops
• role play exercises
• external visits to settings such as police stations, police custody suits, victim support facilities, courts and various voluntary organisations working within the criminal justice sphere
• guest lectures
• online support through the University's virtual learning environment
• teaching input from policing experts
• peer support
• guided reading
• individual student reflection on learning

How you are assessed

You will be assessed in a range of way including:

• role plays and practical scenarios
• coursework
• exams
• presentations
• case studies

Who you'll meet

You will be taught by a teaching team with over 250 years of combined experience in the criminal justice sector. They include:

• Amy Hale
• Katherine Hewitt
• Jenny Richards
• Dr Phil Jones
• Emily Dakin
• Tracy Bradford