The curriculum has been crafted to equip learners and apprentices with all the necessary skills and knowledge for a successful police career. It incorporates a values-based approach, emphasising ethical and evidence-based practices. The programme also fosters collaborative learning, setting a strong foundation for continuous professional development throughout apprentices' careers.
This commitment to quality is further assured by the accreditation of the College of Policing, Leicestershire Police, and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). This accreditation guarantees that the course content meets the highest standards set forth by these esteemed organisations.
The programme lasts 3 years and all successful Apprentices will achieve:
- Degree in Policing Professional Practice BA (Hons) from Â鶹ƵµÀ (DMU)
- Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)
The apprenticeship programme is integrated with existing Professional Policing Practice programmes at DMU and accredited by the College of Policing, Leicestershire Police, and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).
The PCDA programme boasts a team of instructors with impressive credentials who are either seasoned police officers (past or present) or specialists in academia. This unique blend of experience allows the team to deliver high-quality training that's current, practical, and grounded in theory. Their dedication goes beyond just teaching – they're invested in your success and will provide ongoing support throughout your demanding journey as a Police Constable.
Taught over three years, the blended work-based programme includes periods of teaching and training as well as practical application, secondments and assessments.
The PCDA programme goes beyond simply memorising facts. Apprentices will be actively encouraged to analyse information critically and develop their own ideas and theories. This will help them learn more effectively and prepare them for future challenges in their policing careers. While dedicated study time is provided, the programme also emphasises independent learning so apprentices will be expected to take initiative and manage their study time effectively.
- Engagement with Evidenced-based Practice
- Legislation, Policy and Practice
- Police Professional Practice
- Professionalising Investigations
- Investigatory Management
- Multi-Agency Working and Risk
- Research Skills and Evidence-Based Practice
- Profession of Policing Contemporary Issues
- Research, Dissertation and Change Management
- Leadership and Management of Investigations and Community Engagement
- Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship endpoint assessment
This is an integrated apprenticeship which incorporates on-programme academic and workplace learning. The end-point assessment (EPA) will test the knowledge, understanding, skills and behaviours as detailed in the College Of Policing PEQF PCDA: Guidelines for Assessment of Operational Competence.
All students passing through to the EPA must have obtained a functional skills qualification at Level 2 (or equivalent) in English and mathematics by this point.
This programme is designed to enable apprentices to apply the academic theory to their role as a police constable. All apprentices are required to create a portfolio that will capture the knowledge, understanding, skills and behaviours developed on the programme and in the workplace. This will contribute to their EPA and enable apprentices to reflect, plan and evaluate their development.
Portfolio software will be used to capture all information and training will be provided to all apprentices on how to use the software.