This book highlights how the practical skills of the police officer can be transferred into the realm of academic research and support them in becoming part of the evidence-based policing movement. It starts by exploring the professionalisation of the police service through higher education accreditation and the different methodologies of social research practice. Using operational comparisons and a little humour, it guides the reader through the swamp of concepts and processes, such as ethical approval, research paradigms and data gathering and analysis. It then takes them on a journey of reflection and reflexivity, challenging their own perspective on policing and working within the wider criminal justice sector and how they can make a valuable contribution to the development of policing practice.

This book presents critical reflections on the professionalisation of policing through the delivery of the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) and Pre-Join degrees by HEIs in the UK. Each chapter is written by lecturers and staff from a single policing teaching team who deliver these degrees, to cover inception of the programme through to delivery and their practical reflections and insights. The chapters are underpinned with academic theories of pedagogy and topics appropriate to the delivery of material to (student) police officers which encourage critical thinking, evidence and reflection. This diverse teaching team includes academics and pracademics working side-by-side to engage and support student officers with the learning needed for 21C police officers. This book includes an outline of the UK policing model to assist readers from other countries who are interested in the learnings. It is a resource for police students, police and law enforcement leaders and overseas academics in policing, criminology, sociology and education.

This book highlights how the practical skills of the police officer can be transferred into the realm of academic research and support them in becoming part of the evidence-based policing movement. It starts by exploring the professionalisation of the police service through higher education accreditation and the different methodologies of social research practice. Using operational comparisons and a little humour, it guides the reader through the swamp of concepts and processes, such as ethical approval, research paradigms and data gathering and analysis. It then takes them on a journey of reflection and reflexivity, challenging their own perspective on policing and working within the wider criminal justice sector and how they can make a valuable contribution to the development of policing practice.

This book presents critical reflections on the professionalisation of policing through the delivery of the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) and Pre-Join degrees by HEIs in the UK. Each chapter is written by lecturers and staff from a single policing teaching team who deliver these degrees, to cover inception of the programme through to delivery and their practical reflections and insights. The chapters are underpinned with academic theories of pedagogy and topics appropriate to the delivery of material to (student) police officers which encourage critical thinking, evidence and reflection. This diverse teaching team includes academics and pracademics working side-by-side to engage and support student officers with the learning needed for 21C police officers. This book includes an outline of the UK policing model to assist readers from other countries who are interested in the learnings. It is a resource for police students, police and law enforcement leaders and overseas academics in policing, criminology, sociology and education.