Policing, Law and Investigation BSc (Hons) (Top-Up)

This module builds upon previous modules, developing the investigative mindset, particularly in research methods, the ongoing development of academic skills, and evidence-based investigations. Students have the opportunity to complete either a Dissertation, a Major Project: Special Constables or Major Project: External Engagement Activity (undertaking a Major Project working with a connection within external partners in organisations within Criminal Justice).

Dissertation - Students will demonstrate their proficiency in academic writing/referencing, developing a research aim and objectives, extracting relevant material from an in-depth review of literature, using primary and secondary sources, and designing their research project. Students can choose to either undertake a library-based dissertation, a quantitative dissertation or a systematic review dissertation. Students will be able to focus their Dissertation on a range of themes, such as: Road/Response Policing; Crime; Information and Intelligence; Communities/Crime Prevention; Culture and Leadership in Policing (subject to change, due to Academic expertise).

Major Project: Special Constables - Students who are currently working as Special Constables (within a force in England or Wales) have the option to undertake a Major Project. Students wishing to undertake this pathway must attend an interview. Students who pass the interview will be allowed to undertake this pathway. 

Major Project: External Engagement Activity (Project examples change and are subject to external partner relations and external stakeholder requirements) - Using project management skills, students will organise an event/conference and contact local small businesses to encourage their attendance. Students will be required to complete their major project in the external area and to complete reflective logs focusing on preparation for the conference, the conference itself, and feedback on the conference/areas for improvement.

This module aims to enable students to understand and identify the legislative, ethical and professional considerations involved in conducting a digital investigation, and to demonstrate, through a case study, the application of the highly technical skills required in this field. Students will critically evaluate the relevant legislation, national policies, specialist support structures and professional networks available to investigators, as well as the support mechanisms available for vulnerable victims and witnesses.

Students will review a crime scene to assess initial actions and evidence-gathering activities, critically evaluating the methods used to identify, preserve and collect digital evidence from multiple sources in an ethical and forensically sound manner.

Students will also recognise and critically evaluate the community and business considerations associated with digital crime investigations. In addition, they will develop their professional report-writing skills through the preparation of a case decision log and a case summary.

The aim of this module is for the student to consider the chronological development of the nature and threat from international serious and organised crime and the impact it is having on 21st century society law enforcement, and communities. Students will study the origins and evolution of Serious Organised Crime, the key characteristics and the synthesis of crime type and crime groups. The impact of Human Intelligence on Serious Organised Crime, and how the criminal use of technology is central to the threat. 

The module covers the topics of emergence of serious and organised crime as a social problem, an examination of its history and scale; the typology of crime, its actors, causes and objectives; high policing response to national and transnational organised crime. An examination of the key roles and responsibilities of responsible institutions and influential policy and politics; Local, National and Transnational intelligence sharing and offender management across permeable and open borders. The challenges presented to communities and neighbourhood policing, and approaches to community engagement, reassurance, and the interpretation and application of threat analysis.

This module aims to develop a critical evaluation of the effect drug and alcohol abuse has on individuals and society in the United Kingdom (UK). Students will apply sociological, historical, psychological, and cultural issues which influence the use of such substances and the political strategies to address the harm caused by both alcohol and controlled drugs. Students will critically interpret the influence of the media and glamourisation, in addition they will compare the effectiveness of the UK police and multi-agency approaches when compared to decriminalisation and rehabilitation approaches of other countries. 

Students will study the impact of alcohol abuse on individuals and society; Alcohol the driver of crime and disorder; Alcohol and associated strategies; Glamorisation of alcohol use; The political and economic influence of policing alcohol use; Rehabilitation methods and other approaches to alcohol use. Additionally, the impact of drug abuse on individuals and society; History of the criminalisation of drug use in the United Kingdom; Drug Strategies and the impact of drugs on crime and disorder.

The aim of this module is to acquaint students with knowledge and understanding of the key issues and debates with regards to multi-agency working in the context of protecting vulnerable children and adults who become or are at risk of being victims of crime. During this module, key guidance and preventive models will be discussed which will lead to the recognition of what are the key issues that prevent effective multi-agency working and their impact on service delivery.

This module will focus on all aspects of public protection in terms of how police manage criminal investigations and reduce the risks to the individual. Additionally, the prevention of risk towards the victim and how offenders are managed identifying key issues, which students will need to analyse and evaluate in terms of multi-agency working. The module outlines key processes in criminal justice, including risk assessment and the planning and delivery of interventions to tackle dangerous offending. Students will critically review the term ‘safeguarding’ and how interventions can be put in place to reduce the risk to individuals and protect the public.

Students will use the Hydra Immersive Learning Suite, which is directly relatable to their assessment. Students will use this facility for ecological validity, to enhance their decision making skills for future practice.