Module SXY-1008:
Understanding the Police Constable Role and Powers
Module Facts
Run by School of History, Law and Social Sciences
20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits
Semester 1
Organiser: Mr Philip Hare
Overall aims and purpose
This module will introduce students to the history of modern policing in England and Wales, starting with the Metropolitan Police Act in 1829. Students will become familiar with the role and scope of policing today and gain an understanding of principles of policing such as policing by consent. The module will include a discussion of the key legal and policy frameworks to determine policing today and the important role that police services play in the working of the criminal justice system.
Course content
This module will start with an introduction to the history of modern policing in England and Wales and help to develop a baseline understanding of how the service functions. The module will cover a number of strategic elements such as the roles of those charged with setting the strategic direction of the police service, for example the responsibilities of Home Secretary and of Police and Crime Commissioners’ (PCC) in each area charged with development of the Police and Crime plan. Students will become familiar with how the PCC holds Chief Constables to account for the delivery of the service on behalf of the public. The module will include a discussion of the key legal and policy frameworks to determine policing today and includes a visit to North Wales Police control centre to look at crime and incident recording, in effect the start of the work flow for officers on the street. The role that police services play in the working of the criminal justice system will be discussed and well as some very practical policing skills such as stop and search and powers of arrest.
-History of policing in England and Wales -Principle of policing by consent -The role, responsibilities and powers of a Police Constable -The organisation of policing in England and Wales -The criminal justice system in England and Wales -The role of the police in criminal justice
Assessment Criteria
excellent
Excellent work = Learners will have shown a detailed understanding of the history and development of the police service in England and Wales from the Metropolitan Police Act 1829. Demonstrating breadth of reading and clearly identifying significant events which impacted upon policy and legislation. The learner will have a clear understanding of the value of the ‘Peelian Principles’ the modern police service and provide a thoughtful, logical and original argument in identifying the key areas. The learner will demonstrate a full, clear and logical understanding of the impact of the ‘Policing Mission’ has on contemporary policing and identify the factors that are the most important with relevant reasons.
good
Good work = Learners will have shown a good understanding of the history and development of the police service in England and Wales from the Metropolitan Police Act 1829. Utilising a range of sources and identifying most of the significant events which impacted upon policy and legislation. The learner will have a clear understanding of the value of the ‘Peelian Principles’ the modern police service and provide a thoughtful, logical and original argument in identifying the key areas. The learner will demonstrate a clear and logical understanding of the impact of the ‘Policing Mission’ has on contemporary policing and identify most of the factors that are important with relevant reasons
threshold
Passable work = Learners will have shown some understanding of the history and development of the police service in England and Wales from the Metropolitan Police Act 1829. Using limited range reading/source material and identifying some events which impacted upon policy and legislation. The learner will have demonstrated some understanding of the value of the ‘Peelian Principles’ the modern police service but lack original argument in identifying the key areas. The learner will demonstrate some understanding of the impact of the ‘Policing Mission’ has on contemporary policing and identify a number of factors that are the most important with plausible/relevant reasons.
Learning outcomes
-
Understand the structure and scope of modern day policing in England and Wales
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Confidently engage with the legal and policy framework for policing in England and Wales
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Understand the Police Constable’s powers in relation to arrest, investigation, out-of-court disposals, etc.
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Be familiar with the role and position of the police in the criminal justice system
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Examine the history of policing in England and Wales and the principle of policing by consent
Assessment Methods
Type | Name | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Essay | 50.00 | ||
Exam | 50.00 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Hours | ||
---|---|---|
Lecture | 42 | |
Private study | 146 | |
Seminar | 12 |
Transferable skills
- Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
- Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
- Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
- Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
- Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
- Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
- Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
- Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
- Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
- Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
- Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
- Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
- Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
Subject specific skills
- The role of the police constable, its history, and changes over time
- The context of contemporary policing; police culture; models of policing including community policing, evidence-based policing; the extended police family
- Apply different policing models and communication skills as situations require
Courses including this module
Compulsory in courses:
- L436: BSc Professional Policing (Pre-join) year 1 (BSC/PP)