CR5018 - Evidence Based Policing: Practices and Pitfalls

The module aims to further develop your skills and knowledge of evidence and science in policing through applied lectures, group discussion and debate, as well as independent learning. Weekly lectures will frame the discussion of each area of the syllabus. Teaching will employ the use of a set of key policing tasks that will be worked through and revisited throughout the lecture and seminar workshop programme. The learning experience on this module will outline methodological strategies that might be applied to these tasks and will contribute to the development of Evidence Based Policing. Lectures will introduce methodological theory, applied policy and practice, and will stimulate and provoke your thinking. Seminars will follow a more student-led, workshop format. For each seminar workshop you are likely to engage in work as part of a discussion group to understand ‘what works’ in response to particular case studies. You will also have space to develop your own thinking and position in relation to the potential and limitations associated with Evidence Based Policing. The seminar workshops are tailored to the learning preferences of the students on the module each year and these are determined in consultation with you and your cohort in the first weeks. Further development of your confidence in synthesising, explaining, and discussing information from a range of sources is also a key aim of the approach taken in this module and is developed by the assessment task that requires the development of a portfolio presentation.

Developing your ability to reflect on sources of data, the design of methods to applied policing tasks is central to this module. The module encourages you to make appropriate connections between theory, research, policy and practice in terms of policing, partner agencies and the wider criminal justice system. As part of your intellectual development, you will receive support from your peers in the classroom and from the module tutor/s throughout the module. Support outside the classroom includes additional academic support via 1-1 tutorial support opportunities that we encourage you to take up with the module tutor/s.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the module you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the history and application of EBP.

2. Demonstrate your ability to identify and apply different evidence-based strategies in relation to different policing challenges.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3. Demonstrate understanding of a range of research perspective and methods that can inform Evidence Based Policing.

4. Demonstrate independent study skills, including the ability to search, critically assessed, synthesise, and analyse a range of sources of information in applying EBP to practice.

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



5. Enhance your ability to analyse research studies in terms of their methodology and design.

Summative assessment - There will be two elements to the summative assessment for this module:

You will prepare a 2000-word report that reflect on either the application and impact of EBP approach or the challenges and constraints of using an EBP approach in the real-world policing. (70% weighting).

In addition, a 30 question multiple-choice test, which examines students’ knowledge of evidence-based policing and the relationship between theory, research, policy, and practice in terms of policing. (30% weighting).

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As a part of the larger movement towards evidence-based practices, evidence-based policing (EBP) is an approach to policy making and tactical decision-making which are rooted in scientific analysis and research evidence. In essence, policing is just catching up with many other organisations and disciplines that have already embraced evidence-based approaches. By adopting this approach, it is envisaged that policing can deal with the challenges of the 21st century policing, in terms of many aspects such as the changing nature of crime, the impact of austerity, and the public perception and confidence in policing. In this module, you will learn how contemporary policing rely on the best available evidence to inform and challenge decision-making, practices, and policies. The module will encourage you to make connections between theory, research, policy, and practice in terms of policing.