Policing, Law and Investigation BSc (Hons) (Top-Up)

This module builds upon previous modules, developing the investigative mindset, particularly in research methods, the ongoing development of academic skills, and evidence-based investigations. Students have the opportunity to complete either a Dissertation, a Major Project: Special Constables or Major Project: External Engagement Activity (undertaking a Major Project working with a connection within external partners in organisations within Criminal Justice).

Dissertation - Students will demonstrate their proficiency in academic writing/referencing, developing a research aim and objectives, extracting relevant material from an in-depth review of literature, using primary and secondary sources, and designing their research project. Students can choose to either undertake a library-based dissertation, a quantitative dissertation or a systematic review dissertation. Students will be able to focus their Dissertation on a range of themes, such as: Road/Response Policing; Crime; Information and Intelligence; Communities/Crime Prevention; Culture and Leadership in Policing (subject to change, due to Academic expertise).

Major Project: Special Constables - Students who are currently working as Special Constables (within a force in England or Wales) have the option to undertake a Major Project. Students wishing to undertake this pathway must attend an interview. Students who pass the interview will be allowed to undertake this pathway. 

Major Project: External Engagement Activity (Project examples change and are subject to external partner relations and external stakeholder requirements) - Using project management skills, students will organise an event/conference and contact local small businesses to encourage their attendance. Students will be required to complete their major project in the external area and to complete reflective logs focusing on preparation for the conference, the conference itself, and feedback on the conference/areas for improvement.

This module will provide you with the underlying principles of the investigation into serious, organised, and complex crime. You will learn how these investigations are structured, and how the needs of victims, communities, other agencies, and stakeholders are addressed.

The module addresses the risks to individuals and communities from organised criminals, the drivers for their criminal activity and the means by which law enforcement seeks to reduce threat and risk.

The module is split into several different elements: you will learn about each of them and how they impact society. The transnational implications of serious and organised crime will also be considered as well as the tactics used to counter it.

Serious organised crime (SOC) is also examined as a cultural phenomenon, often glorified and glamourised. This portrayal will be compared with reality, using a range of sources including television, film, and podcasts to identify the difference between fact and fiction.

This module aims to develop a critical evaluation of the effect drug and alcohol abuse has on individuals and society in the United Kingdom (UK). Students will apply sociological, historical, psychological, and cultural issues which influence the use of such substances and the political strategies to address the harm caused by both alcohol and controlled drugs. Students will critically interpret the influence of the media and glamourisation, in addition they will compare the effectiveness of the UK police and multi-agency approaches when compared to decriminalisation and rehabilitation approaches of other countries. 

Students will study the impact of alcohol abuse on individuals and society; Alcohol the driver of crime and disorder; Alcohol and associated strategies; Glamorisation of alcohol use; The political and economic influence of policing alcohol use; Rehabilitation methods and other approaches to alcohol use. Additionally, the impact of drug abuse on individuals and society; History of the criminalisation of drug use in the United Kingdom; Drug Strategies and the impact of drugs on crime and disorder.

This module relates to safeguarding vulnerability and public protection and how this is viewed in relation to underlying principles of complex, organised and serious investigations and how these impact directly on the vulnerable in society. You will be shown how these investigations are structured along with the needs of multi-agency and stakeholder co-operation for the effective investigation of serious and complex crimes. You will learn why this is particularly important when working in the context of protecting vulnerable children, adults and public protection.

Your learning will be supported by a range of practical activities such as workshops, role play, and the use of the Hydra Immersive Learning Suite, allowing you to further critically develop your investigative mindset, decision making, and teamworking skills whilst building and applying investigative strategies.

This module aims to enable students to understand and identify the legislative, ethical and professional considerations involved in conducting a digital investigation, and to demonstrate, through a case study, the application of the highly technical skills required in this field. Students will critically evaluate the relevant legislation, national policies, specialist support structures and professional networks available to investigators, as well as the support mechanisms available for vulnerable victims and witnesses.

Students will review a crime scene to assess initial actions and evidence-gathering activities, critically evaluating the methods used to identify, preserve and collect digital evidence from multiple sources in an ethical and forensically sound manner.

Students will also recognise and critically evaluate the community and business considerations associated with digital crime investigations. In addition, they will develop their professional report-writing skills through the preparation of a case decision log and a case summary.