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

The Police Constable and Professional Standards¿¿

Leadership & Team-working¿

Wellbeing & Resilience¿¿

Communication Skills¿¿

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.

For this assessment, students will create an educational poster that demonstrates a critical understanding of professional behaviour in policing and its relationship to police culture and legitimacy. The poster should cover the following key areas:

1. Concepts of professional behaviour and police culture. (LO1 and LO2)

2. An overview of organisational justice and procedural justice theories, analysing their principles and significance in shaping police culture. (LO2)

3. The role of effective leadership in upholding professional standards, fostering cohesive teams and an inclusive organisational culture. (LO3)

The poster should critically analyse and interconnect these key areas, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of how professional behaviour, police culture, justice theories, leadership, and team dynamics interplay and influence police legitimacy.

Student will incorporate relevant visual elements, such as diagrams, charts, or images, to support and enhance the content of the poster effectively. They will also ensure that the poster is well-supported by academic sources and properly cited using the Harvard referencing style.

Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the concepts, application, and risks relating to professional standards and professional behaviour

Knowledge and Understanding, Reflection


Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of procedural organisational justice and organisational culture.

Knowledge and Understanding, Enquiry, Reflection

Evaluate and examine team working skills, techniques and challenges

Communication, Reflection

Learning for this module will be based around students committing 50 hours of off-the-job learning this being split between 40 hours of direct contact with teaching staff and 10 hours of independent study and workplace learning.

The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical exercises. Students will be encouraged to engage in group discussions, peer review, and communication exercises. There will be regular sessions of formative assessment and academic support/tutorials will be available throughout the module. They will also have access to online resources and guidance for academic writing, data visualization, and digital communication.

Blackboard VLE

MS Teams

University library and associated online learning materials.

Live streaming/recording equipment/software.

Abuse of position for a sexual purpose (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924471460006826?auth=SAML

Abuse of position assessment - Surrey Police (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1903096310006826?auth=SAML



Almuth McDowall, J.B. (no date) ‘Do Good Cops Need a Degree? Introduction to the Special Issue on Developing and Evaluating Graduate Policing Training’. Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1903023580006826?auth=SAML

Andrews, R. (2003) Research questions [electronic book ] , Research questions. London¿: Continuum, pp. xi, 89 p. : https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1967481100006826?auth=SAML


BBC Documentary - The Riots 2011: One Week in August (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926086820006826?auth=SAML



Belbin’s 9 Team Roles (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924481360006826?auth=SAML

‘Belbin’s Team Role Model: Development, Validity and Applications for Team Building’ (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924481640006826?auth=SAML



British Sociological Association (no date) BSA Statement of Ethical Practice. British Sociological Association. Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1938869000006826?auth=SAML



Bryson, J.M., Edwards, L.H. and Van Slyke, D.M. (2018) ‘Getting strategic about strategic planning research’, Public management review, 20(3), pp. 317–339. Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1967477190006826?auth=SAML



Bulmer, M. (2008) ‘The Ethics of Social Research’, in SAGE Publications, Researching social life . 3rd ed. Edited by G. Nigel. Gilbert. London¿: SAGE, pp. 145–161. https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1938912000006826?auth=SAML

Burke, H. (2009) Realities Toolkit #06: After The Ethical Approval Form: Ethical Considerations of Working in Research Teams. University of Manchester. Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1938682320006826?auth=SAML



Case 20: Bombing Transatlantic Airliners (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924462850006826?auth=SAML



Clark, Tom. (ed.) (2021) ‘Planning a research project and formulating research questions’, in A. Bryman, Social research methods . 6th ed. Oxford¿: Oxford University Press, pp. 68–82.
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1938871180006826?auth=SAML

College of Policing (2024) Crime Reduction Toolkit. Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1967472010006826?auth=SAML



Competency and Values Framework (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926080540006826?auth=SAML



Cultural intelligence: the competitive edge for leaders (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924495520006826?auth=SAML

“Daniel Goleman Introduces Emotional Intelligence | Big Think (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926080250006826?auth=SAML

Denicolo, P. (2012) Developing research proposals . Edited by L. Becker. London¿: SAGE Publications Ltd. https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1974227000006826?auth=SAML



Desistance – general practice principles (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926083990006826?auth=SAML


‘Determining the Level of Cultural Competence of College Police Departments: A Study of Three Different Campuses’ (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924495100006826?auth=SAML



Elliot, J. (2005) ‘Ethical and Political Implications of Using Narrative in Research’, in J. Elliott, Using Narrative in Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. 1st edn. London, England: SAGE Publications, pp. 134–151.
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1939023090006826?auth=SAML



Fox, M. and Green, G. (2007) ‘Researching Your Own Practice’, in Mark. Fox, Doing practitioner research [electronic resource] . Edited by P. J. Martin and Gill Green. London¿: SAGE, pp. 1 online resource (vii, 214 p.) : Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1946915860006826?auth=SAML



Guest, G., MacQueen, K.M. and Namey, E.E. (2011) ‘INTRODUCTION TO APPLIED THEMATIC ANALYSIS’, in Applied Thematic Analysis. United States: SAGE Publications, Incorporated, pp. 3–20. Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1967427840006826?auth=SAML



Hidden in Plain Sight - Gangs and Exploitation - A youth work response to COVID-19 (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926089850006826?auth=SAML



His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1903094640006826?auth=SAML

How to turn a group of strangers into a team | Amy Edmondson (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924478000006826?auth=SAML



‘HM Inspectorate of Probation - County Lines’ (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926088370006826?auth=SAML



‘I Saw...’ by SJC - (Child) Criminal Exploitation (#CCE) awareness film (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926088130006826?auth=SAML



Insider Incident - System Sabotage (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924463380006826?auth=SAML


Integrated Offender Management Key Principles – Supplementary information (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926081700006826?auth=SAML



‘Is faith and “on road” youth work intertwined? Examining the experiences of “on road” practitioners’ (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926088580006826?auth=SAML


Kitaeff, J. (ed.) (2011) ‘Chapter Police Personality: Theoretical Issues and Research’, in Handbook of Police Psychology. Routledge, pp. 421–433. Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1927295110006826?auth=SAML

Lucker, J.R. (ed.) (2018) Developing research questions¿: skills for success., Developing research questions¿: London¿: SAGE Publications Ltd.
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1967508330006826?auth=SAML



Mapping and Analysing Ideas”’ (2018) in C. Hart, Doing a literature review¿: releasing the research imagination. 2nd ed. London¿: SAGE, pp. 230–280. https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1974222870006826?auth=SAML

‘Methodology, who needs it?’ (2010) in M. Hammersley, Methodology; Who Needs It? London, England: SAGE Publications. Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1939025110006826?auth=SAML

Mitchell, R. and Huey, L. (2018) ‘A light introduction to evidence based policing’, in Evidence based policing. United Kingdom: Policy Press. https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1979496090006826?auth=SAML



O’Leary, Zina. (2021) The essential guide to doing your research project. 4th ed. London¿: SAGE. https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1974226040006826?auth=SAML

OPC (no date) Operation Hotton Report. Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1903094180006826?auth=SAML


No Place to Hide: Serious and Organised Crime Strategy 2023-2028 (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926086530006826?auth=SAML



Nurse et al (no date) ‘Understanding Insider Threat: A Framework for Characterising Attacks’. Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1958833870006826?auth=SAML


PEEL assessments 2023 – 2025 (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1903094980006826?auth=SAML

‘Police culture: An empirical appraisal of the phenomenon’ (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924473080006826?auth=SAML

Predator Police Uncovered (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1903095580006826?auth=SAML



Punch, K.F. (2016) Developing effective research proposals. 3rd ed. London¿: SAGE.
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1939129580006826?auth=SAML

Punch, K. (2014) ‘Research Questions’, in K. F. Punch, Introduction to social research¿: quantitative and qualitative approaches. 3rd ed. London¿: SAGE, pp. 57–72 https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1939094440006826?auth=SAML



‘Reviewing Literature’ (2021) in Zina. O’Leary, The essential guide to doing your research project. 4th ed. London¿: SAGE, p. 1 volume : https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1939125570006826?auth=SAML


Ritchie, J. (ed.) (2014) ‘Analysis, Practices, Principles and Processes’, in J Ritchie, Qualitative research practice¿: a guide for social science students and researchers . 2nd ed. London¿: SAGE Publications, pp. 269–294. https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1939084980006826?auth=SAML

SAGE Publications (2024) SAGE Research Methods. SAGE Publications. Available at: https://methods.sagepub.com/project-planner/defining-a-topic.
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‘Setting Up and Getting Started’ (2021) in Zina. O’Leary, The essential guide to doing your research project. 4th ed. London¿: SAGE, pp. 20–36. https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1979505860006826?auth=SAML



Shining a light on betrayal: Abuse of position for a sexual purpose (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1903095770006826?auth=SAML

Simon Holdaway (no date) ‘The re-professionalization of the police in England and Wales’. Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1903093700006826?auth=SAML

‘Social Loafing’ (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924480020006826?auth=SAML



‘Social loafing - a Review of the Literature’ (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924481210006826?auth=SAML



Stabbed: Britain’s Knife Problem (Crime Documentary) (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926086310006826?auth=SAML



Teams Are The Fundamental Organizing Principle of Success (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924480190006826?auth=SAML



The abuse of police powers to perpetrate sexual violence (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924472340006826?auth=SAML



The Liquid Bomb Plot (Crime Documentary) | Real Stories (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1924461890006826?auth=SAML

The Met Cop Gone Bad - documentary (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1953239770006826?auth=SAML

‘The Bristol Integrated Offender Management Scheme: a Pseudo-Experimental Test of Desistance Theory’ (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926081570006826?auth=SAML


The Thief Catchers (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926096520006826?auth=SAML



The real roots of youth violence | Craig Pinkney | TEDxBrum (no date). Available at:
https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926087160006826?auth=SAML



Thomas, G. (2023b) ‘Your Introduction: Starting Points’, in Gary. Thomas, How to do your research project¿: a guide for students. 4th ed. London¿: SAGE, pp. 1–26.
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Thomas, Gary. (2023) How to do your research project¿: a guide for students. 4th ed. London¿: SAGE. https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1974229890006826?auth=SAML

Thomas, G. (2023a) ‘The Literature Review’, in Gary. Thomas, How to do your research project¿: a guide for students. 4th ed. London¿: SAGE, pp. xviii, 342 pages : https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1939124090006826?auth=SAML



Waddington, P.A.J. (1999) ‘Police (canteen) sub-culture. An appreciation’, British journal of criminology, 39(2), pp. 287–309. Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1935568390006826?auth=SAML

West Midlands Police Crime Commissioner Report Launch on Gangs and Violence (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926087520006826?auth=SAML


What is County Lines? (no date). Available at: https://libstaff.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/44STA_INST/citation/1926087850006826?auth=SAML

This module will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of professional policing practice and police culture, with a particular emphasis on professional responsibility, standards, organisational culture, and procedural justice. The learning will be structured around a number of main themes: professional standards and behaviour, organisational justice and culture, exploring team-working and leadership.

Firstly, students will critically examine the concepts of professional standards and professional behaviour in the context of operational policing. They will explore the processes for dealing with external complaints and expressions of dissatisfaction against members of the police service, including the role of the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Additionally, they will analyse the challenges and complexities of operational policing, such as police occupational culture, integrity, corruption, diversity, cross-cultural differences, and public perceptions.

Secondly, the module will delve into the principles of procedural organisational justice and organisational culture. Students will assess the potential impact of these concepts on police officers and the overall functioning of the police service. They will investigate strategies for using procedural justice to promoting positive organisational practices.

Thirdly, the module will focus on team-working and leadership in policing. Students will review key leadership principles and models, and evaluate their impact on self, others, and team dynamics. They will examine the importance of self-evaluation, self-improvement, and reflective practice in professional policing. Additionally, students will explore strategies for effective team-working, creating a healthy team environment, and addressing interpersonal conflicts within teams.

Throughout the module, students will develop a critical understanding of the interplay between professional behaviour, organisational culture, procedural justice, and team dynamics. They will analyse the role of leadership in upholding professional standards, promoting an inclusive organisational culture, and fostering procedural justice within police teams. Furthermore, the module will emphasise the significance of these factors in shaping public perceptions and maintaining police legitimacy.

By the end of the module, students will have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate and address the challenges associated with professional responsibility, organisational culture, and team-working in policing, while considering their impact on overall police legitimacy.