This is a wide-ranging module that consolidates learning in relation to the concepts and practicalities of being a Police Constable, including:

Valuing Diversity and Inclusion¿

Decision Making & Discretion

Protecting the Public¿

Suspect / Offender Management

This module descriptor was formulated with due reference to:

The required learning outcomes and indicate content set by the College of Policing in the National Policing Curriculum.

The Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required by the National Apprenticeship Standard for the Police Constable role.

The subject benchmark statement for policing defined by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education.

Practical assessment of the student officer's ability to patrol independently - pass/fail weighted at 0%. The assessment is conducted by police forces with regard these key elements using learning from the classroom:

Personal Protective Safety Training (PPST)¿

First Aid Learning Programme (FALP)

Completion of an ‘IPS’ operational portfolio¿

Failure of this module prevents student from progressing to Year 2 of the programme

Demonstrate the ability to patrol independently as a Police Constable in a safe and lawful way as prescribed by the College of Policing.

Knowledge and Understanding, Learning, Problem Solving, Communication, Application, Reflection.

Learning for this module will be based around students committing 96 hours of off-the-job learning this being split between 59 hours of direct contact with teaching staff and 37 hours of independent study and workplace learning.

Classroom learning from introductory modules will be applied in the workplace and the student officer will be supported by an experienced Tutor Constable. The student officer will be further supported by a Work-Based Education Officer allocated by the University who will support their progress throughout the year through schedules tri-partite reviews which will also involve the employer.

Blackboard VLE

MS Teams

University library and associated online learning materials.

Live streaming/recording equipment/software.

You should revisit the reading lists of preparatory modules in this year of study with particular attention to:

Blackstone's Police Manual, Volume 1: Crime (2024)

Blackstone's Police Manual, Volume 2: Evidence and Procedure (2024)

Blackstone's Police Manual, Volume 3: General Police Duties (2024)

Please refer to any annual updates that supersede these editions. All are accessible through the University Library.

This module complements the work student officers will undertake to achieve independent patrol status (IPS), the first step to meeting full operational competency. The module begins on day one of year one and must be concluded by week 52 of the same year. Many students will complete their IPS Portfolio well ahead of the 52-week completion date.


This module utilises the learning that you will complete both in the classroom and in the workplace over a 12-month period. This recognises integral and mandatory operational training and assessment that student offers must successfully complete to undertake patrol in a safe and lawful manner.

The module will allow student officers to develop their operational skills, communication skills, team working abilities and demonstrate a knowledge of any underpinning guidance, legislation, research or academic theory and apply these in an operational setting. This is a pass or fail module and a prerequisite of progression into year 2 on the programme.