Module catalogue: SC4002

SC4002 - Introduction to Policing (2024/25)

Module specification

Module approved to run in 2024/25

Module title

Introduction to Policing

Module level

Certificate (04)

Credit rating for module

School

School of Social Sciences and Professions

Total study hours

300

81 hours	Scheduled learning & teaching activities
219 hours	Guided independent study

Assessment components

Type	Weighting	Description
Coursework	30%	Essay - 1500 words total
Coursework	20%	Oral Presentation
Unseen Examination	50%	Unseen exam, Multiple Choice, Short Answers in 2 hours

Running in 2024/25

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)

No instances running in the year

Module summary

The module gives a broad introductory overview of policing in terms of law enforcement and combating crime. It traces historically the evolutionary process of policing as a distinct function of the state. The module introduces the development of policing traditions in England and Wales in some detail and also offers a grounding for comparison with policing systems in some other jurisdictions.

Syllabus

I. BRITISH POLICING LO1,LO2
1. The Emergence of Modern Police in Britain
2. Structure of the UK Police
3. Policing Powers & Discretion
4. Police Legitimacy
5. Police and Public Communications
6. Equality & Diversity
7. Managing Conflict

II. MODELS OF POLICING LO3
8. Community Policing
9. Zero-Tolerance Policing
10. Problem-Oriented Policing
11. Intelligence-led Policing

III. POLICING THE POLICE LO5
                  12. Policing Culture
                  13. Deviance & Corruption
                  14. Governance & Accountability

IV. SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLICING LO3,LO4
15. Police Use of Force
16. Policing Mental Health
17. Policing Domestic Violence
18. Policing Terrorism
19. Policing Gangs & Violence
                  20. Future Developments in Policing

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

Teaching: weekly lectures followed by exercises and reflexive discussion in seminars, based on data and key texts
Learning: Learning is supported by the WebLearn site for the module which includes lecture notes, seminar exercises, newspaper articles and longer articles and links to relevant web sites.
The lecture notes and seminar exercises are used as the initial basis for tackling a topic, but students are encouraged to go beyond these in preparing coursework and examination answers

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Identify and distinguish foundations, objectives and powers of the British Police
2. Provide a basic comparative framework for understanding differing forms of policing systems.
3. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the operational effects of different paradigms of policing.
4. Understand how the police deal with managing conflict and particular crimes
5. Understand police legitimacy and accountability measures

Bibliography

Identify core and additional reading
Liaise with Library Services to confirm availability of on-line licenses in academic year

Where possible, the most current version of reading materials is used during the delivery of this module. Comprehensive reading lists are provided to students in their handbooks. Reading Lists will be updated annually.

Mawby, R.I., 2008. Models of policing. Handbook of policing, 2.

Murphy, P., Eckersley, P. and Ferry, L., 2017. Accountability and transparency: Police forces in England and Wales. Public Policy and Administration, 32(3), pp.197-213.

Newburn, T. ed., 2005. Policing: key readings. Cullompton: Willan.