1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the concepts, models and theoretical frameworks pertaining to the requirements of contemporary investigation within a modern democracy.
2. Critically evaluate the effects of ethical leadership and decision-making to the practice of investigation.
3. Critically analyse the models, structures and frameworks that can hold organisations or investigating bodies to account for the standards of ethical investigation.

The assessment requires all LO’s to be addressed.

The module is assessed by summative coursework that accounts for 100% of the overall mark for the module. Candidates will be expected to develop a group presentation (pre-recorded) chosen from a choice of topics identified by the module leader and to develop it within the context of the module themes and learning outcomes.

An exploration and critique of the role and function of law enforcement in a modern democracy with an emphasis on the reactive investigative response to serious and complex offending.

Ethical theory and Human Rights and its application to investigative practice.

The relevance of social contract and policing by consent.

An exploration of context and complexities of conducting investigations in diverse communities

A critical examination of discretion and its application in investigations.

Organisational culture and the leadership challenges that it presents for ethical investigations.

Internal corruption and its impact upon legitimacy of investigations.

The relationship with democratic and regulatory bodies as well as the strategies that secure independence of investigators.

Identify and critique recommendations/learning lessons from public inquiries and scrutiny reports into investigative practice.

A critique of law enforcement performance and performance measurement

An exploration of the relationship between the media and the investigator.

An examination of organisational efficiency and effectiveness

Examine directions of travel for future reform and development of investigative practice.

This module will examine the complex political, legal, financial, and operational challenges of working with local and national government and the community as stakeholders in the area of the investigation. This module explores the relationship with democratic and regulatory bodies as well as the strategies that secure police independence, the rule of law and due process in a society which aims to reflect human rights and liberal values such as representation, civil liberties, free expression, and accountability.

Learning from this module will support students applying theory in daily tactical and strategic investigative decision-making in the workplace and enhancing personal and professional practice.

The module is delivered by way of online lectures (synchronous and asynchronous), which provides students with an overview of police ethics, decision making and accountability in theory and in investigative practice.

Detailed pre-reading will be required before taught sessions, and students will be supervised as they seek to develop ideas for their Independent Studies. The module will use a flipped learning approach from the outset which will encourage the students in the self-directed aspect of the learning in this module. Pre -reading, pre lecture study and pre lecture tasks will be a key feature of the flipped learning approach.

The lecture sessions will provide practically based scenario examples which will allow for group tasks for formative feedback.

Casey Of Blackstock, B. and Cb, D. (2023). Final Report An independent review into the standards of behaviour and internal culture of the Metropolitan Police Service. [online] Available at: https://64e09bbc-abdd-42c6-90a8-58992ce46e59.usrfiles.com/ugd/64e09b_f3b0605584624bf5afc024cd9d826e35.pdf [Accessed 3 Apr. 2023].

Charman, S., Newiss, G., Smith, P., Inkpen, R., Ilett, C., Ghaemmaghami, A. and Bennett, S., 2022. ‘Giving the right service to different people’: revisiting police legitimacy in the Covid-19 era. Policing and Society, pp.1-18.

Cooke, L. and Sturges, P., 2009. Police and media relations in an era of freedom of information. Policing & Society, 19(4), pp.406-424.

Colbran, M.P., 2018. Policing, social media and the new media landscape: can the police and the traditional media ever successfully bypass each other? Policing and society.

HMIC (2012), Police and Crime Commissioners. Available from: http://www.hmic.gov.uk/pcc/.

Home Affairs Select Committee (2013) First Report – Police and Crime Commissioners: Register of Interests.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/69/6902.htm.

Home Office (2010) Policing in the 21st Century: Reconnecting police and the people. London: Home Office

Innes, M. (2003) Investigating Murder. Detective work and the Police Response to Criminal Homicide. Oxford: OUP

Miller, S, and Gordon, I.A., (2014). Investigative ethics: Ethics for police detectives and criminal investigators. John Wiley & Sons.

Osidipe, T. and South, J., 2021. Police in England and Wales.¿Global Perspectives in Policing and Law Enforcement, p.83.

Pollock, J. (2004) Ethics in Crime and Justice: Dilemmas and Decisions. London: Thomson Learning

Macpherson of Cluny, Sir W. (1999) The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry (Cm 4262-1) London: HMSO

Martin, D., 2022. Understanding the reconstruction of police professionalism in the UK. Policing and Society, 32(7), pp.931-946.

Mawby, R.I. and Smith, K. (2013) Accounting for the Police: The New Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales. The Police Journal, Vol 86:143-157

Newburn, T. (2011) Police and Crime Commissioners: The Americanization of policing or a very British reform? International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice. Vol 40: 31-46

Newburn,N., Williamson, T., and Wright, A. (2007) Handbook of Criminal Investigation. Collumpton, Devon.: Willan

Reiner, R. (2010) The Politics of the Police (4th ed.) Oxford: Oxford University |Press

Sampson, F. (2012) Hail to the Chief? – How far does the Introduction of Elected Police Commissioners Herald a US-Style Politicization of Policing for the UK? Policing, Vol 6(1):4-15

Schaap, D., 2021. Police trust-building strategies. A socio-institutional, comparative approach.¿Policing and society,¿31(3), pp.304-320

Westmarland, L. and Conway, S., 2020. Police ethics and integrity: Keeping the ‘blue code’of silence. International Journal of Police Science & Management, 22(4), pp.378-392.

During this module, you will be encouraged to utilise Microsoft Teams and Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to support your learning. You will be invited to collaborate with students and academic staff virtually through Microsoft Teams. You will have access to a range of materials on Blackboard VLE including articles, lecture slides, and interactive activities. You will also be able to access a variety of digital material through our¿Library¿and¿specialist¿databases.¿