The Portfolio of Operational Competence for Independent Patrol Status contains a checklist of functions that a Police Constable is expected to undertake as part of their role. These functions must be undertaken, safely and lawfully, without the need for immediate direct supervision and whilst demonstrating behaviour appropriate to the role as follows:
Operating within the Law, Approved Professional Practice, and Code of Ethics
Fairness in Policing
Managing Information
Provides an Initial Response
Road Policing
Antisocial Behaviour
Missing Persons
Managing Conflict
Providing support to victims and witnesses
Vulnerability and Safeguarding
Police Powers Arrest and Detention
Searching Vehicles, Premises and Open Spaces
Searching individuals
Priority and Volume investigations
Interviewing Victims and witnesses
Interviewing suspects
Airwaves and PNC (Police National Computer)
Managing Property
Summative assessment for this module will examine indicative content as contained within the College of Policing National Policing Curriculum and taught at level 4 of the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship as follows:
Criminal Justice: 1.1 – 1.5 inclusive
Valuing Diversity and Inclusion: 2.1-2.3 inclusive
Maintaining Professional Standards: 1.1, 2.1 – 2.5 inclusive
Decision-making and Discretion: 1.1 – 7.3 inclusive
Vulnerability and Risk: 9 – 9.14 inclusive
Public Protection: 4.1 – 5.9a inclusive
Response Policing: 6.1 – 8.15 inclusive

Learners are required to complete a 2000-word reflective essay, demonstrating how they have applied underpinning taught theoretical principles in a range of operational policing contexts, as evidenced within their fully completed Operational Competence Portfolio for Independent Patrol Status (IPS).
This will assess Learning Outcomes 1 - 4.

The module utilises a blended approach to delivery and draws upon a range of topics from the College of Policing National Policing Curriculum delivered across three Level 4 modules, Introduction to Policing Practice & Professional Development, Introduction to Response, Roads & Community Policing and Introduction to Investigation and Intelligence Management.

The IPS portfolio is undertaken in the workplace and is assessed by the police. It must be completed within the 1st 12 months of the programme and forms the basis to produce the 2000-word reflective essay.

Students will link learning in the classroom to professional practice and provide evidence from operational portfolios to demonstrate this.

Time is allocated and academic support provided within the module protected learning blocks delivered throughout year 1 of the programme.

1. Explain the role of police constable within the context of UK policing and the criminal justice system Knowledge and understanding
2. Demonstrate application of police powers and procedures, their application fairly and without bias, the used methods to maintain professional standards Application, Communication
3. Explain the meaning of assessing risk in a policing context, and the application of safeguarding actions to ensure threat, risk and harm is reduced. Problem Solving, Reflection
4. Apply appropriate lawful and ethical powers and procedures in relation to stop and search. Application, Reflection

Blackboard VLE
MS Teams
University library and associated online learning materials.
Teaching spaces equipped with computer, projector, screen, white boards etc.
Live streaming/recording equipment/software.

See Module Reading List