The University of East London at the forefront of modern-policing

From 2020 anyone in England and Wales who wants to become a police officer will be required to hold a degree or be working towards the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship.

This is a huge change in the history of policing and the University of East London (UEL) is poised to be at the forefront of training and supporting police officers and policing in London and wider afield.

This includes training and development across all levels and stages of careers, from those who are already in the police to those who have the aspiration of entering.

Beginning in September 2019, UEL will be offering a Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) in Professional Policing, for entrance to the policing profession; plus, a Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) in Policing Studies (Top-Up) which is suitable for existing and recently retired police officers.

UEL is one of very few universities in London, which is licensed by the College of Policing, to offer the BSc (Hons) in Professional Policing. Successful completion of this degree will ensure that graduates are eligible to apply to the police service under the pre-join degree route. This degree would also benefit other career goals, such as opportunities within the Border Force or National Crime Agency.

While the BSc (Hons) in Policing Studies is a unique qualification offered by UEL. It is a one-year degree that will enable current police officers (and those recently retired) to have their knowledge, skills and experience recognised and counted towards the attainment of a degree.

Dr Sarah Jane Fox, the director of policing at the University’s Centre of Professional Policing (CoPP) said, “The University of East London is ideally situated to provide police officers and students with the education and knowledge they need in their roles, in a focused and creative way, and to providing and delivering programmes that serve the needs of the police service and the general public.”

UEL is working particularly closely with the community of London and the Metropolitan Police Service to ensure that the needs of policing and society are addressed.

Supt. Ian Brown from the North East BCU said, “We are committed to working with partners locally to keep the community safe. By working with academics at UEL and assisting with teaching and research, we are committed to the continuous improvement of community Policing.”

Dr Fox said, “We see this expansion of programmes as a great opportunity. As a London university, we are keen to support our communities and those that keep us safe by providing entry pathways into policing, as well as related professions, and to support existing officers today and into the future.”

She added, “The role of the police officer demands, more than ever before, a wide variety of increasingly complex and technical skills. Police officers need to be trained and equipped to deal with today’s and tomorrow’s challenges, to keep society safe and prevent harm – this includes the online world.”

UEL is keen to deliver on sustainability and play a key role in the wider community. Helping to create and shape the next generation of police officers is fundamental to the University’s vision. The University’s Centre of Professional Policing (CoPP) is also developing postgraduate, Masters level, degrees for policing and other contemporary challenges faced by society, such as cybercrime and cyber-victimisation.

Adam Doyle, head of Law and Criminology at UEL said, “These developments fit into the University’s new Vision 2028 Strategy. This is a transformative 10-year programme which aims to see the University of East London as the careers-first university – pioneers of future careers & sustainable innovation and accelerators of inclusive talent by realising potential and advancing knowledge and innovation to help people and society.”