DC4014 - Introduction to the Police Constable Role (PCDA)

What will I learn on this module?

This module opens with a week-long induction to the PCDA programme that combines an introduction to your police force and to the university. To prepare you for your role as a police constable you will undertake sessions in key topics including understanding the role of the police constable, valuing diversity and inclusion, wellbeing and resilience, communication skills, decision making and discretion, as well as suspect and offender management and response policing. In addition, you will explore the code of ethics and the importance of professionalism in the police service.



Your induction week is followed by one week of officer personal safety training during which you develop knowledge, understanding, and practical skills central to role of police constable. Training includes, though is not limited to, conflict management and communication skills; compliant handcuffing; limb restraint; conducting police searches; and custody skills. You will also undertake an assessed fitness test and learn self-defence techniques that you may need when dealing with conflict situations; this will include the National Decision Model (NDM) and tactical communications allowing you to deal with varying levels of conflict.

 

During week three of the module, you will look at the different elements of policing, including responding to policing incidents as well as further exploring different communication techniques you can use in your front-line policing role. You will also be given inputs on wellbeing and resilience giving you a tool kit of strategies to cope with stressful and traumatic situations you may encounter as a police officer.



Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship – College of Policing Curriculum (Core National)

The Police Constable Role and Professional Standards: 1.1-1.6; 2.1-2.2; 3.1; 4.1; 5.1-5.5; 6.1; 7.1; 9.1-9.2; 10.1-10.3

Valuing Diversity and Inclusion: 1.1-1.6; 2.1-2.6; 3.1-3.4; 4.1-4.3

Wellbeing and Resilience: 1.1-1.8

Communication Skills: 1.1-1.8; 2.1-2.3; 3.1-3.4; 4.1-4.3; 5.1-5.3; 6.1

Decision Making and Discretion: 1.1; 2.1-2.8

Community Policing and Partnership Working: 4.1-4.2

Suspect / Offender Management: 6.1-6.5

Response Policing: 1.1-1.4; 8.1- 8.3

Information, Intelligence and Evidence: 2.1-2.5

Conducting Investigations: 1.1

Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship – College of Policing Curriculum (Core Local)

The Police Constable Role and Professional Standards: 1.1; 2.1

Valuing Diversity and Inclusion: 1.1-1.3

Wellbeing and Resilience: 1.1-1.5

Information, Intelligence and Evidence: 1.1

Personal Safety Training Learning Outcomes

Decision Making and Discretion: 1.1, 2.1-2.8

Response Policing: 6.1-6.3

Communication Skills: 2.1.2.3; 3.1-3.4; 4.1-4.3; 5.1-5.3

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn through a series of different delivery styles which will include traditional classroom sessions covering theoretical / procedural aspects of the curriculum, supplemented with presentations and breakout sessions where you will be a more active learner, making connections between theory / procedure in practice using technology to enhance learning. As part of Personal Safety Training, you will be shown various restraint and personal safety techniques of which, you will then be required to demonstrate. The intended purpose is intended to prepare you for the rest of the programme and your career as a police constable. It is expected that you will achieve the module learning outcomes with your progression mapped against the National Apprenticeship Standard.



This module tests apprentices’ knowledge and understanding via a variety of assessment modes including presentation, role play scenarios, and multiple-choice examination. There may be opportunities for formative assessment and feedback to further consolidate key knowledge, skills, and behaviours relevant to the module as per the National Apprenticeship Standard.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported through active participation and discussion during teaching and breakout sessions. These offer a unique opportunity to fully understand criminological and legal theory; procedural policy and legislation underpinning the role and responsibilities of the police constable; the wider police organisation and criminal justice system; and the delivery of a professional police service in local contexts. During Personal Safety Training you will be supported through active participation and discussion



All learning material (including online blended learning material where applicable) will be available on the University’s eLearning Portal, supplemented with guidance on further reading relevant to the subjects. Opportunities for formative assessment and feedback will help you to prepare for summative assessment.  Written and oral summative assessment feedback will also be provided to allow you to understand how you performed and how you can build on this performance in subsequent assessments within your programme.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding (K&U):  

1. You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts of the role and responsibilities of the Police Constable and the wider police organisation.

2. You will demonstrate knowledge regarding ethical policing, in relation to equality, diversity, inclusivity, and human rights whilst maintaining the highest professional standards in providing a service to the public.



Intellectual/Professional skills & abilities (IPSA):   

3. You will demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team relevant to the professional role of police constable.

4. Demonstrate and apply specialist skills in personal safety and evaluate decision making models necessary for the role of a police constable.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA): 

5. Show awareness to manage own wellbeing and that of colleagues in the police service to help develop and maintain professional resilience in dealing with challenging situations.

How will I be assessed?

Summative assessment(s):



001: You will deliver a group presentation on a theme covered within the module (this will be in PowerPoint form or an equivalent format and will include a reference list). The presentation should last approximately 10-minutes and will be followed by questions and answers. This will assess MLOs 1, 2 and 3.



002: MCQ Knowledge Check on Personal Safety Training (Pass/Fail). Pass threshold set at 40%. MLO 4, MLO 5



003: Fitness Test

(Pass/Fail) MLO 5



004: Officer Safety Training Role-Play Scenario

(Pass/Fail) MLO 4, MLO 5

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module opens with a week-long induction to the PCDA programme that combines an introduction to your police force and to the university. To prepare you for your role as a police constable you will undertake sessions in key topics including understanding the role of the police constable, valuing diversity and inclusion, wellbeing and resilience, communication skills, decision making and discretion, as well as suspect and offender management and response policing. In addition, you will explore the code of ethics and the importance of professionalism in the police service.



Your induction week is followed by one week of officer personal safety training during which you will undertake a fitness test and learn self-defence techniques that you may need when dealing with conflict situations; this will include the National Decision Model (NDM) and tactical communications allowing you to deal with varying levels of conflict.

 During week three of the module, you will look at the different elements of policing, including responding to policing incidents as well as further exploring different communication techniques you can use in your front-line policing role. You will also be given inputs on wellbeing and resilience giving you a tool kit of strategies to cope with stressful and traumatic situations you may encounter as a police officer.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 30 months Full Time

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Useful Links

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints