Operational Policing
The University of South Wales works closely with multiple policing partners to deliver courses aligned to the national entry routes into Policing. The courses and associated qualifications are aligned to the probationary requirements and standards expected in order for a new officer to evidence their competency in their role and be confirmed in rank.
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To be eligible to study on any of these courses, you must have been successful in the national police assessment process and have been offered a post on one of the national entry routes by one of our partner forces. You will be enrolled onto the appropriate course on your first day of employment, and upon completion of all probationary requirements you will finish your probation, be confirmed in rank, attain the relevant qualification and complete the programme.
There is also an option to study the Degree in Professional Policing at USW before applying to the police service.
In response to industry requirements, the College of Policing, have introduced 4 police officer entry routes into policing, which includes the option for nationally recognised and accredited qualifications for the police service.
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Enrolment onto the courses is dictated by the recruitment needs of the partner forces. It is they who will decide how many officers they need to recruit on each entry route and crucially which applicants are offered a job as an officer.
Details of each course, are as follows;
Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship
If you join the police without a degree-level qualification, you can follow a three-year professional degree apprenticeship known as the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA).
This study route includes both theory and practice elements. On completion, you will gain a BSc (Hons)Professional Policing Practice.
Your learning journey will consist of academic modules that has practical elements integrated into them. You will be required to evidence practical competency by completing an Occupational Competence Portfolio (OCP) of the skills you have demonstrated in the workplace.
You will need to achieve Independent Patrol Status (IPS) by the end of your first year and complete the portfolio by the end of year 2. In order to successfully complete your 3 year probationary period and gain the qualification you will need to have demonstrated evidence of all practice-based competencies, passed all academic modules and gained the equivalent of Level 2 Operational Skills in English and Maths (Level 2 must be achieved before starting the course) as set out in the College of Policing requirements for this qualification.
- Policing Knowledge
- Policing Behaviours
- Policing Skills
- Policing Operational
Please note: All modules are worth 30 credits unless otherwise stated.
- Organisational Improvement
- Transforming Communities
- Critical Thinking in the Workplace (40 credits)
- Operational Competence (40 credits)
Please note: All modules are worth 20 credits unless otherwise stated.
- Evidence Based Research Project (40 credits)
- Research Showcase
- Policing Specialisms (40 credits)
- Management in Policing
Please note: All modules are worth 20 credits unless otherwise stated.
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Degree-Holder Entry Programme (Dhep)
If you already have a degree when you join the police, you can join and follow a two-year work-based programme known as the Degree-Holder Entry Programme (DHEP).
This study route includes both theory and practice elements. On completion, you will gain a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice
Your learning journey will consist of academic modules that has practical elements integrated into them. You will be required to evidence practical competency by completing an Occupational Competence Portfolio (OCP) of the skills you have demonstrated in the workplace.
You will need to achieve Independent Patrol Status (IPS) by the end of your first year and complete the portfolio by the end of year 2. To successfully complete your 2 year probationary period and attain the qualification you will need to have evidenced all practice based competencies and passed all academic modules.
- Policing Knowledge (DHEP)
- Policing Skills (DHEP)
- Policing Behaviours (DHEP) (20 credits)
- Policing Operational (DHEP) (20 credits)
Please note: All modules are worth 10 credits unless otherwise stated.
- Policing Specialisms (DHEP)
- Organisational Improvement (DHEP)
- Critical Thinking in the Workplace (DHEP) (20 credits)
- Operational Competence (DHEP) (20 credits)
Please note: All modules are worth 10 credits unless otherwise stated.
Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP)
The Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP) is a two year programme that includes both theoretical and practical elements.
On completion, you will gain a Diploma in Higher Education in Professional Policing Practice.
Your learning journey will consist of academic modules that has practical elements integrated into them. You will be required to evidence practical competency by completing an Occupational Competence Portfolio (OCP) of the skills you have demonstrated in the workplace.
You will need to achieve Independent Patrol Status (IPS) by the end of your first year and complete the portfolio by the end of year 2. In order to successfully complete your 2 year probationary period and gain the qualification you will need to have demonstrated evidence of all practice-based competencies and passed all academic modules as set out in the College of Policing requirements for this qualification.
- Policing Knowledge
- Policing Behaviours
- Policing Skills
- Policing Operational
Please note: All modules are worth 30 credits unless otherwise stated.
- Organisational Improvement (PCEP)
- Transforming Communities (PCEP)
- Critical Thinking in the Workplace (40 credits)
- Operational Competence (40 credits)
Please note: All modules are worth 20 credits unless otherwise stated.
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Degree in Professional Policing (DPP)
The other route into policing does not require an applicant to be a serving officer. This route into policing involves applying and enrolling on the DPP and achieving the BSc (Hons) in Professional Policing. Holders of this qualification are the only eligible applicants who can apply to any police force in England and Wales on the route that requires the attainment of the qualification prior to application. USW also delivers this course and details can be found here.
Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)
(Apprenticeship and Non Apprenticeship Options)
Students who are enrolled on this course will need to be a newly appointed PCSO with our partner forces. As with Police Officers, recruitment and enrolment onto the course is dependent upon the needs of force recruitment plans, and includes student numbers and selection of candidates. This 1 year course includes both theoretical and practical elements.
Upon completion you will achieve the HE Certificate in Community Policing Practice, complete their probationary period and be confirmed in post. If you are on the apprenticeship route you will also be awarded the apprenticeship, subject to successful completion of an End Point Assessment.
Your learning journey will consist of academic modules that has practical elements. You will be required to evidence practical competency by completing an Operational Competence Portfolio (OCP) of the skills you have demonstrated in the workplace.
To successfully complete your probationary period and attain the qualification you will need to have evidenced all practice-based competencies, passed all academic modules. Apprentices will need to attain Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Mathematics (where not already attained the equivalent) as prescribed in the College of Policing requirements for the apprenticeship route.
- Policing Knowledge (PCSO)
- Policing Behaviours (PCSO)
- Policing Skills (PCSO)
- Policing Operational (PCSO)
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The use of sub-contractors
The use of subcontractors in the delivery of degree apprenticeships are sometimes essential to ensuring the learning and experience meet the requirements of the relevant outcomes and standards. Subcontractors are only used where they are better placed to provide specific learning opportunities or have expertise enhancing the delivery of the programme.