DC6011 - Issues in Policing Policy (PCDA)

What will I learn on this module?

This module will consider the match (or mismatch) between government policy on policing (and other social issues) and the most common difficulties experienced by police officers and the public. It will consider each of the five key areas of policing.

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

Core National

Response Policing (Year Three): 2.1-2.2
Information and Intelligence (Year Three): 2.1
Conducting Investigations (Year Three): 1.1-3.1
Neighbourhood, Community and Partnership Working: 1.1-1.3,
Roads Policing: 1.1, 2.1-2.4
Prevention and Problem Solving (Incorporating Evidenced-based Policing): 1.4

Core Local

Neighbourhood, Community and Partnership Working: 9.1

How will I learn on this module?

You will attend classroom-based lectures, seminars, and workshops that will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the module themes. The module content will help prepare you to answer the summative open book examination.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported on this module by tutors through interactive lectures and seminars with regular opportunities for question and answer sessions. In addition, you will be able to access one-to-one support from the module tutor and police colleagues. You will be able to arrange a tutorial via email.

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 advanced levels of knowledge and understanding around policing policy.
2. Demonstrate advanced levels of knowledge and understanding around practical issues in one of the five key areas of policing.

Intellectual/Professional skills & abilities (IPSA):
3. Develop an ability to critically reflect on practice-based professional learning evidencing key learning points in improving professional performance and/or professional development.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Take responsibility for independent learning and enquiry to make the links between policy and practice.
5. Demonstrate complex thinking around police knowledge and practice, including the ability to contextualise this in an evidence-based policing framework.

How will I be assessed?

Component One: 3 hour open book exam, with one compulsory question and one question where there is a choice to write about any of the five key areas of policing.

You will undertake more advanced practice-based learning in the workplace across five principal areas of professional practice to acquire higher-level operational knowledge and skills in the following five key areas: response policing; policing communities; policing the roads; information and intelligence; and conducting investigations.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module will consider the match (or mismatch) between government policy on policing (and other social issues) and the most common difficulties experienced by police officers and the public. It will consider each of the five key areas of policing. Student officers will be supported to select the area in which they wish to specialise which will assist student officers preparing for the summative open book examination.

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.

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.

Useful Links

Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.

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.

Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need.

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

Accessibility support

Student Inclusion support