1. To understand the role of ethics, professional standards and fairness in different policing and criminal justice contexts.
2. To synthesise and engage with literatures concerning police legitimacy and procedural justice.
3. To apply knowledge of literatures concerning fairness and legitimacy to the use of various pieces of legislation and police powers.
4. To evaluate cases of policing and their impacts upon individuals, groups and communities.

A 1,000 word briefing note (60%) evaluating the literature relevant to one case study and its application to police practice. Students will be expected to use academic literatures and apply them to police practice, powers and legislation in the style of a briefing note. This will address learning outcomes 1-4.

A 15-minute verbal response to questioning in the style of a public inquiry (40%), based upon the information presented in the briefing note. Students will be expected to expand upon information presented in the briefing note and answer questions about the topic areas presented throughout the module as they apply to the case study of focus within the briefing note. This will address learning outcomes 1-4.

Throughout policing and the criminal justice system fairness and justice are associated with legitimate action, which in turn has implications for the relationship between law enforcement agencies and various individuals’ groups and communities. In this module, students will examine concepts of legitimacy and procedural justice as well as the role of ethics and professional standards in policing and the wider criminal justice system. Students will evaluate the impact that the use of certain police powers and legislation can have upon public perceptions of the police. Case studies of both legitimate and illegitimate forms of policing will be discussed, along with their short and longer-term impacts upon police-public relationships. Students will also consider how our knowledge of fairness in policing may be implemented into police practice, and what the future may look like in relation to ‘fairness in policing’.

Throughout policing and the criminal justice system fairness and justice are associated with legitimate action, which in turn has implications for the relationship between law enforcement agencies and various individuals’ groups and communities. In this module, students will examine concepts of legitimacy and procedural justice as well as the role of ethics and professional standards in policing and the wider criminal justice system. Students will evaluate the impact that the use of certain police powers and legislation can have upon public perceptions of the police. Case studies of both legitimate and illegitimate forms of policing will be discussed, along with their short and longer-term impacts upon police-public relationships. Students will also consider how our knowledge of fairness in policing may be implemented into police practice, and what the future may look like in relation to ‘fairness in policing’.

13 x 2-hour lectures/workshops introducing information and developing discussion around course material.

4 x 1-hour tutorials to support assessments.

Independent study time will be used to further knowledge and critical thinking using the module reading list and additional case study material, as well as for preparation for assessments.

Skinns, L., 2012. Police custody: governance, legitimacy and reform in the criminal justice process. London: Routledge.

Staubli, S., 2017. Trusting the police: comparisons across Eastern and Western Europe. transcript Verlag.

Worden, R., & Mclean, S., 2017. Mirage of Police Reform: Procedural Justice and Police Legitimacy. Oakland: University of California Press.

Additional reading available from the online reading list.¿

Lecture room equipped for PowerPoint and whiteboard.

Tutorial room to allow group discussions. Module Handbook and suitably resourced library.

None.