Policing and Investigation

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Cutting-edge simulation facilities

Hands-on learning in relastic scenarios

Links with Industry

Both in the UK and itnernationally

Experienced teaching team

Including ex-police officers and academic experts

Learn how to investigate crimes and gather crucial evidence with our policing degrees.

Learn how to investigate crimes and gather crucial evidence with our policing degrees.

You’ll follow techniques used in real-life cases and will get to put your skills into action in our simulation spaces. It could range from carrying out search warrants to booking suspects into custody.

We offer two course options, which focus on preparing you for a career within the policing and investigation sector.

With our Professional Policing degree, we’ll introduce you to the varied work of a police officer. Licensed by the College of Policing, it’s a recognised route into the police service.

On our Policing and Criminal Investigation degree, you’ll also gain lots of real-world knowledge and experience. You’ll learn about everything from investigating murder and cyber-crime to searching for missing people.

Courses

Related courses

Why study with us?

  • Simulated learning environments – putting theory into practice
  • Links with industry – both UK and internationally​
  • Supportive lecturers and learning environment –we care about you!​
  • Experienced teaching team – both from practice and academia​
  • Rewarding career opportunities and tailored employability support​

Grow your practical skills in our simulation facilities

Our simulation facilities have been designed to mirror real-life scenarios, from our prison cell and custody suite to our living spaces and shop. Develop your skills for the real-world. 

Careers and connections

Policing and Criminal Investigation graduates typically pursue work in areas such as the police, trading standards, regional organised crime units, Action Fraud, the Surveillance Commission, as well as other organisations with investigative requirements. Roles include police staff investigator, criminal justice worker, border force officer, police constable or detective constable.

Our Professional Policing students typically pursue careers as police officers in both territorial police forces and national ones such as the British Transport Police. Others have gone on to roles such as anti-social behaviour officers, prison officers and roles in the Army and the Royal Military Police.

The staff have got such a widerange of skills, from ex police officers and chief constables, all the way through to academics, it provides ar eal rich learning experience.

Alistair Morgan

Policing and Criminal Investigation - Graduate

Features

Student Experience - Trip to Lower Saxony Police Academy

Policing and Criminal Investigation student, Daniel Yasein, talks about the opportunity to visit Lower Saxony Police Academy in Germany, and the highlights of the experience.

Case File to Court - student experience

Level 6 Policing and Criminal Investigation student Shannon McDarby talks about her experience on our module ‘Case File to Court’ and the practical skills she learned.

Facilities

Learn with the latest tools, tech and spaces. 

Our simulation facilities can be adapted to re-create lifelike scenarios so you can develop your skills for the real world. 

Ranging from living spaces and a shop through to our prison cell and mock courtrooms, you'll prepare for your future career in safe learning environments. You could be arresting a suspect, interviewing a witness, booking a prisoner into the custody suite or presenting evidence in court.

Lifelike living space

The lifellike living space in Ashley 2 lets you practice your skills in a variety of non-clinical settings, including bedroom, bathroom, lounge and bedsit. Read more

Bedrooms:

The bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and is used for simulated crime scenes where students can practise investigative skills or social work and healthcare can use the space for urgent situations and interviews.

Lounges:

The lounges have a homely feel, with comfy furniture and framed photos. Students can use these spaces for policing or forensic investigations. Social work and healthcare can also use the space for realistic interviews and clinical emergencies.

Bathroom:

The bathroom provides a lifelike backdrop for students to practise their skills. It can be used a range of simulation scenarios, such as domestic crime scenes or clinical emergencies.

Bedsit:

With a kitchen diner, bedroom and bathroom, the bedsit provides a lifelike backdrop for students to practise their skills. Scenarios can range from gathering evidence at simulated crime scenes to dealing with clinical emergencies.

Prison cell

With its single bed and toilet, this space can be arranged as a holding cell for detainees. It’s where students can practise offender management techniques. The room can also be turned into a more long-term prison cell.

Custody suite

There is a front desk where suspects are booked in after arrest. Read more

Other features include equipment for measuring height and taking fingerprints and custody photos, along with evidence bags and lockers for personal belongings.

Mock Courtrooms

One room is designed as a crown courtroom and the other for cases at magistrates’ court. Read more

Students can present legal arguments, act as expert witnesses, or take part in mooting.

Our digitally enabled mock court rooms are designed to create simulated scenarios for students to put theory in to practice and gain confidence, skills and knowledge to take forward in to their career. 

One room is designed as a crown courtroom and the other for cases at magistrates’ court. Students can present legal arguments, act as expert witnesses, or take part in mooting. Each space includes a dock, lawyers’ area and a bench for the judge or magistrates.

The courtrooms are used by a wide range of students from different perspectives including law students, policing, forensics, international relations and more, to give practice with not only mooting but also in presenting evidence and various other aspects of trials.

In our video, learn about simulation in our Mock Court Room, used by students to practice their skills to prepare them for their future career.

Shop simulation space

The is ideal for simulated commercial crime scenes, where students can collect evidence and speak to witnesses or victims. Read more

They can also learn about retail law and deal with medical emergencies that occur to customers in the retail space. The space includes shelves, a counter and a small café. It’s ideal for simulated commercial crime scenes, where students can collect evidence and speak to witnesses or victims. They can also learn about retail law and deal with medical emergencies that occur to customers in the retail space.

Expertise

Dr Lauren Metcalfe

Course Director

Lauren completed her PhD in Evidence Based Policing and joined University of Staffordshire in 2017. She is now Course Leader for Professional Policing (our Pre-join degree) and Course Director for our policing degrees.

Lauren's profile

Sarah Watson

Senior Lecturer

Sarah Watson is a Senior lecturer in Policing with an academic background with an interest in crime and human behaviors. And currently Undertaking a PhD that explores mass shooting incidents across Europe.

Sarah's profile

Justin Mason-Spanner

Lecturer

I spent 30 years in the Police completing my service as a nationally trained and accredited Senior Investigating Officer, managing murder investigations. I use my knowledge and experience to deliver modules within the course.

Justin's profile

Dr Leanne Savigar-Shaw

Senior Lecturer

I am a Lecturer in Policing with an academic and research background. I have been involved in a number of research projects focusing on mobile phone use by drivers, police legitimacy and procedural justice.

Leanne's profile
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