DC5015 - Introduction to Policing Practice in Key Areas (PCDA)

What will I learn on this module?

After successfully gaining Independent Patrol Status move seamlessly into this module where you start to work towards FOC, and you will be deployed on your independent patrol phase.

This means you will be sent to operational incidents and calls for service on your own. However, this does not mean you will be unsupported as you will be closely supervised by your Sergeant as well as colleagues on your team. In addition, you will continue to gather evidence of your operational competence in your portfolio, again this will be reviewed by your operational supervisor and signed off by a qualified assessor. This module covers Year 2 which means you will have nearly 12 months to gather and submit your evidence for your portfolio. At the end of which you will have reached full operational competence. During your operational deployment, you will be supported by a nominated Response Sergeant and Area Support Team.

Module learning outcomes are aligned to the CoP curriculum (v. 3.0 February 2026):

Core National Learning:

The Police Constable Role and Professional Standards: 3.1, 8.1, 8.4, 8.6

Communication Skills: 1.1-1.8; 2.1-2.2; 3.1-3.5

Decision-making and Discretion: 1.1; 2.1-2.8 (as applicable)

Victims and Witnesses: 1.1-1.6a

Roads Policing: 2.0-2.1 (as applicable)

Response Policing: 2.1-2.10; 3.1-3.8; (as applicable) 6.1; 7.1-7.4 (as applicable)

Suspect/Offender Management: 5.1-5.3; 6.1-.6.5; 9.1-9.4; 10.0-10.1 (as applicable)

Neighbourhood, Community and Partnership Working (Year Two): 4-.1-4.7 (as applicable)

Criminal Justice System: 4.1-4.3; 5.1-5.2 (as applicable)

Conducting Investigations – 2.1-2.1a; 3.1 – 3.5 (as applicable); 4.1; 5.1; 7.1-7.2

Core Local Learning:

Criminal Justice System: 1.2-1.3

Response Policing: 1.1

The full CoP National Policing curriculum will be accessible to module tutors via Durham Constabulary teams channel.

How will I learn on this module?

During this module you will use additional learning strategies that will include placements and work-based learning; both involve learning that is derived from observing, reflecting, and doing a job of work and taking on a role in the workplace.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

On this module you will be sent to operational incidents and calls for service on your own. However, this does not mean you will be unsupported as you will be closely supervised and supported by a nominated Response Sergeant and Area Support Team.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding (K&U):
1. Demonstrate ability for critical and analytical reflection around police decision making in a range of complicated professional situations.
2. Be able to demonstrate advanced levels of knowledge and understanding around police powers, legislation, criminal procedure, police officer autonomy and discretion.
3. Demonstrate ability for critical and analytical understanding of issues around police governance and accountability structures.

Intellectual/Professional skills & abilities (IPSA):

4. Demonstrate competence in delivering lawful, ethical, safe, and effective front-line policing in your chosen specific professional area of police practice.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. Demonstrate the ability for complex thinking around police knowledge and practice, including the ability to contextualise this in an evidence based policing framework.

How will I be assessed?

This module has one summative assessment: A Portfolio recording achievement of Full Occupational Competency (Pass/Fail).

To demonstrate achievement of full occupational competency you will be asked to provide three pieces of evidence showing your underpinning knowledge, skills, and behaviours of your operational competence against each of the 15 OCP criteria.

(K&U 1, 2, 3; IPSA 4; PVA 5)

Opportunities for formative assessment and feedback include:

Ongoing feedback on performance during specialist attachment.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module sees you further develop the knowledge, understanding and practical policing skills you acquired though both the taught sessions and time spent on operational deployment during year 1 of the programme. In this module you will deployed operationally and will have the opportunity to work in specialist areas other than frontline policing where you will be provided with the knowledge, skills, and practical experiences to enable you to successfully complete elements 1-15 of your Full Operational Competence (FOC) Portfolio.

Course info

Credits 40

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 30 months Full Time

School Humanities and Social Sciences

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Fee Information

Module Information

Accuracy of information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

How your course is delivered

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning.

Changes to your course

Most courses run as described on our website and in our marketing materials. Occasionally we may need to make changes, for example due to a change in the law or regulatory requirements, requirements of a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body, or our quality assurance processes. Where a change is significant (in line with the Competition and Markets Authority's guidance on "substantial changes"), we will consult with affected students in advance where the change is being decided, and will explain the reason for the change and inform you at the earliest opportunity.

If we make a significant variation to your programme, you are entitled to: request a transfer to an alternative, appropriate programme; withdraw and have your tuition fees adjusted; or raise a complaint through the Student Complaints Procedure.

Optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year. Where a module you selected is withdrawn, the options above apply.

Contact time

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

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The photography and video on this page are used for illustration. They may have been taken at different times and in different parts of the University, and may show facilities, equipment, staff, students or activities that are not part of this course. They are not a guarantee of the specific facilities or equipment you will use.

The course content, entry requirements and fees sections of this page, together with the Programme Specification, set out what this course includes. Our facilities are updated over time and may change during your studies.

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Accuracy of information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

How your course is delivered

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning.

Changes to your course

Most courses run as described on our website and in our marketing materials. Occasionally we may need to make changes, for example due to a change in the law or regulatory requirements, requirements of a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body, or our quality assurance processes. Where a change is significant (in line with the Competition and Markets Authority's guidance on "substantial changes"), we will consult with affected students in advance where the change is being decided, and will explain the reason for the change and inform you at the earliest opportunity.

If we make a significant variation to your programme, you are entitled to: request a transfer to an alternative, appropriate programme; withdraw and have your tuition fees adjusted; or raise a complaint through the Student Complaints Procedure.

Optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year. Where a module you selected is withdrawn, the options above apply.

Contact time

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

Images and video

The photography and video on this page are used for illustration. They may have been taken at different times and in different parts of the University, and may show facilities, equipment, staff, students or activities that are not part of this course. They are not a guarantee of the specific facilities or equipment you will use.

The course content, entry requirements and fees sections of this page, together with the Programme Specification, set out what this course includes. Our facilities are updated over time and may change during your studies.

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