THE University of Chester have teamed up with Cheshire police to launch a new foundation degree course aimed at those considering a career in policing.
The Policing Law and Investigation qualification, which has an option to top up to a full honours degree, begins at the Warrington campus in September and has been designed to equip aspiring police officers with the knowledge, practical and vocational skills required for a career as a police officer.
Members of the public are invited to attend a recruitment day held today to find out more about what the new qualification entails, and how they can enrol to be among the first students on the course.
The qualification will focus on the criminal justice system and the ethical and procedural framework for conducting investigations in a range of situations.
Experienced serving and retired police officers, together with subject specialists, will deliver the course, which is equivalent to the national Initial Police Learning and Development Programme – a mandatory requirement for all new police recruits.
Students will first be sworn in as Special Constables with Cheshire police before starting the qualification, allowing them to conduct operational duties while undertaking their academic studies.
By the end of the first year, those who have successfully passed the academic and vocational elements of the course, and are deemed fit for independent patrol, will automatically qualify for an interview for the Cheshire police recruitment intake in September 2014, subject to force recruiting.
Chief Superintendent Richard Strachan, head of corporate human resources at Cheshire police, said: “The partnership between the University of Chester and Cheshire police has led to the development of a series of courses aimed at professionalising policing by introducing academic qualifications for police officers.
“The approach is similar to that of other professions such as teaching and nursing.
“Anyone who wishes to apply to join Cheshire police must have first completed the necessary academic course.”
The event run from 2-6pm today. Visit www.chester.ac.uk/ node/17164 to register, or call 01925 534684.
