Trainee Police have their day in Court

Northumbria Police's Lead Internal Verifier, Mrs Julie Peacock, found that it was becoming increasingly difficult for her students to pass their policing NVQ because one of the elements of the qualification was 'Presenting Evidence in Court'. When Julie discovered that Northumbria Law School conducted court simulations for their trainee barristers she contacted Deveral Capps, Director of Bar Programmes, and they agreed it would be ideal for student officers and trainee barristers to work together.

In order to ensure that the student officers got a realistic experience it was decided the joint exercise would be linked with one of the trainee barrister's advocacy assessments. By doing so, the trainee barristers would be at the end of their course, almost qualified and therefore courtroom ready. 

The student officers are called to give evidence in the Law School's Courtroom, which is an authentic Magistrates' Courtroom that once stood in Bedlington, Northumberland. The Courtroom has full CCTV and special measures facilities, which means that whilst a student officer is giving their testimony they can be remotely assessed from another room by the Police Assessor.

Following the experience one student officer said, "I found it very beneficial, a good experience. I have been called to give evidence in Crown Court next week so this has given me a lot of confidence".

One trainee barrister, William Walton, commented "The use of fully uniformed Police Officers from the local force giving evidence, combined with the requirement of students to wear wigs and gowns within the oak panelled confines of a former Magistrates' Courtroom, meant that the elusive sense of realism and occasion for the BVC advocacy assessment at Northumbria was captured many times over".

Geoff Myers commented, "This exercise allows Northumbria Police to assess their student officers when presenting evidence in court thereby ensuring their professional performance when giving evidence at a real trial".

Both Julie and Geoff added, "The support of Deveral Capps and the University staff is invaluable in offering student officers the opportunity to participate in this productive and very worthwhile event".