About This Course
Every Wednesday from 11th of June - 2nd July,
6-8pm in the Main Arts Building, Bangor.
This short course is suitable for all members of the community, prospective students and policing cadets.
This short course provides an in-depth exploration of professional policing, tracing its historical roots, theoretical foundations, and practical applications in modern day policing. The course begins with a historical overview of policing, examining its evolution from early creation by Sir Robert Peel’s principles of policing to contemporary policing strategies. Participants will analyse how historical events have shaped modern policing practices. Next, the course emphasizes community policing, highlighting its importance in crime prevention, public trust, and partnership-driven policing.
Through discussions on problem-oriented policing, neighbourhood engagement, and ethical challenges, participants will gain insights into building safer, more resilient communities. We then delve into crime science, an evidence-based approach to understanding and preventing crime. This section introduces investigative techniques used to analyse criminal behaviour and patterns. Finally, the course focuses on a murder investigation, where students will explore real-world case study and the role of investigative units. We will cover essential elements such as crime scene management, suspect profiling, and the judicial process from investigation to prosecution.
This short course is ideal for law enforcement professionals, policing and criminology students, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of modern policing.
Week 1:
Introduction to the sessions. The evolution of policing, from its early foundations to modern policing. We will examine historical milestones, including the formation of early watch systems, the establishment of the first professional police force by Sir Robert Peel in 1829, and the development of modern policing models. Key themes include the transition from reactive to proactive policing, the impact of societal changes on police, and the ongoing challenges in maintaining public trust.
Week 2:
This session explores the principles and practices of community policing, a proactive approach that fosters collaboration between the police and the public to prevent crime and enhance safety. We will examine key strategies such as problem-oriented policing, neighbourhood policing, and partnership-driven initiatives that promote trust, transparency, and shared responsibility in crime prevention.
Week 3:
The crime triangle is a criminological model used to understand and analyse crime patterns. It is based on the Routine Activity Theory, which suggests that crime occurs when three essential elements converge through the motivated offender, suitable target/victim ad lack of capable guardianship. Evidence-Based Policing (EBP) is a strategic approach where policing practices are guided by scientific research, data analysis, and empirical evidence rather than tradition or intuition. Key principles include using Research & Data, testing what works and continuous working.
Week 4:
This session provides a structured overview of murder investigations, covering the critical steps from the initial crime scene response to securing a conviction. Participants will explore key investigative processes, including crime scene management, forensic evidence collection, suspect profiling, and interview techniques.