Run by School of History, Law and Social Sciences

30.000 Credits or 15.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Dr Tim Holmes

Introduction to the Criminal Justice System provides students with an understanding of the ways in which, within England and Wales, crime comes to the attention of the authorities, how crime is measured, how crime is policed, how accused persons are brought to trial, and those who are convicted are sentenced and punished. This module will inform students on various forms of criminal behaviour and the responses of the criminal justice system.

Additionally, it introduces students to the main theoretical frameworks developed to explain crime and victimisation. It explores criminal careers, risks and vulnerabilities among victims and offenders; and environmental criminological theories such as rational choice theory. Building on these frameworks, students will learn about the main forms of crime prevention used in England and Wales as well as key policing models used to prevent and respond to crime. Specialist areas of policing such as digital policing and roads policing will be examined in detail.

This module introduces students to the workings of the criminal justice system and the main theoretical approaches in the contemporary study of crime. The theories examined will be relevant to crime prevention strategies and operational policing and include environmental and life-course theories.

Indicative content: Introduction to the criminal justice system and its constituent parts -Introduction to concepts of crime, victimisation, vulnerability and harm -Introduction to the main theories in relation to criminal behaviour - criminal careers and desistance; rational choice theory and situational crime prevention-Understanding vulnerability and how to respond to public protection incidents -Understanding of digital crime and the processing of digital evidence - Understanding of roads policing and the management of offences and incidents.

excellent

Excellent work = Grades A* to A-

Significant critical analysis of relevant academic literature, legislation and police procedure

Use of relevant texts and academic literature (including the texts suggested in class + other students have found through independent study)

Where relevant use of real world examples and experiences to illustrate theory in practice

Accurate use of citation and quotation

good

Good work = Grades B+ to C-

Some critical analysis of relevant academic literature, legislation and police procedure

Use of relevant texts and academic literature (texts suggested in class)

General use of real world examples and experiences to illustrate theory in practice

Accurate use of citation and quotation

threshold

Acceptable work = Grades D+ to D-

Very little critical analysis of relevant academic literature, legislation and police procedure

Limited use of relevant texts and academic literature (texts suggested in class)

Heavy reliance on real world examples and experiences to illustrate theory in practice

Limited but accurate use of citation and quotation

1. Examine a range of key concepts relating to criminology, community engagement, victimisation and crime prevention - Learning outcome 1

2. Explain key concepts, legislation and guidance associated with ‘public protection’ policing - Learning outcome 2

3. Review the role of the police constable within the criminal justice process - Learning outcome 5

4. Explain core policing functions and strategies relating to policing the roads - Learning outcome 6

5. Understand the challenges relating to internet facilitated crimes and procedures associated with digital policing - Learning outcome 3

6. Explain the criminal justice system and the legislation and processes that support it - Learning outcome 4

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Essay		50.00
	North Wales Police Closed Book Exam		40.00
	Definitions Test		10.00

		Hours
Practical classes and workshops	Teaching takes place in the first year of police constable training with North Wales Police. Please see PCDA Handbook for specifics on timetabling	300

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• 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.
• Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
• 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
• Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/hpp-1012.html

Reading list

Blackstones Handbook for Policing Students (2020) ISBN: 978-0198848646

Blackstones Police Manuals x4 (2020) ISBN: 978-0198848233

Blackstones Police Operational Handbook (2020) ISBN: 978-0198848653

Police Pass NPPF STEP 2 SERGEANT & INSPECTOR – 4 VOLUME REVISION CRAMMER TEXTBOOKS (2020) ISBN: 978-0957002036

E-Books and Books available through the library

Nicole H. Rafter, 2009, The Origins of Criminology: A Reader, Taylor and Francis

Sandra Walklate ; Sandra Walklate, 2006, Criminology: The Basics, Taylor and Francis

Compulsory in courses:

• L438: BSc Professional Policing Practice (Degree Apprenticeship) year 1 (BSC/PPP)