BSc (Hons) Professional Policing

PPD4001
Introduction to British Policing 20 credits

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.

PPD4002
First Responders 20 credits

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.

PPD4003
The Importance of Knowledge in Policing 20 credits

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.

PPD4004
Getting the Grease to the Squeak 20 credits

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.

PPD4005
Moving Beyond the "Bobby on the Beat" 20 credits

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”.

PPD4006
Why Crimes Occur and How to Prevent Them 20 credits

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.

PPD5001
Crime Scenes and Suspect Interviews 20 credits

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.

PPD5002
No Witness, No Justice 20 credits

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.

PPD5003
Delivering Justice 20 credits

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.

PPD5004
Managing Critical Incidents 20 credits

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.

PPD5005
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights 20 credits

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.

PPD5006
Research and Methodology Skills 20 credits

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.

PPD6000
Dissertation 40 credits

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.

PPD6001
Working Together to Keep People Safe in a Democracy 20 credits

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.

PPD6002
Understanding and Managing Vulnerability 20 credits

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.

PPD6003
Keeping People Safe in the Digital Age 20 credits

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.

PPD6004
Who Guards the Guards Themselves 20 credits

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.