Diploma in Policing L3

Course overview

If you are looking for a career within the Police Service then here is the place to start. This qualification is designed to provide learners with an in-depth understanding of the principles of the police service and to allow them to explore the various avenues of work within it. It will also allow learners to gain transferable skills that can be applied to the workplace or further study. This course can help you grow in confidence and become self-disciplined, learn how to solve problems, meet deadlines, keep fit and work as part of a team.

For more inforamtion please visit: Public Services/Criminology - Bishop Auckland College (bacoll.ac.uk)

Course requirements

Minimum 4 GCSE’s at grades 9 - 4 (A* - C) or equivalent (preferably to include Maths and English) or a BTEC/NCFE Level 2 at Merit or above. A genuine interest in the subject is essential – an interview will assess your suitability for the course and interest in the subject.

What will I do?

The full-time course is taught over 3-4 days per week (you may be required to attend additional days if you have not achieved grades 9-4 in English and Maths). This course is likely to run alongside the Uniformed Public Service Course and/or Criminology course.

You will be required to complete either 6 or 9 units in year one (dependant on discussions with the department tutors) and the same in year two. The object of this course is to allow learners to progress to employment or further study and to gain the entry qualifications and requirements of the police service.

Whilst on the course, you will gain a full understanding of the police service and have:

• the opportunity to investigate career opportunities in the police service

• the ability to prepare for the entry process

• an understanding of the personal commitment and fitness requirements needed to be employed in policing

• an understanding of the external organisations that impact on and influence the work of the police service

• an understanding of how the police service responds in emergency situations

• the opportunity to understand and develop the skills and qualities needed to work in the police service e.g leadership skills, conflict management, personal protection, teamwork, navigation.

You will be required to complete a work placement during each academic year. It is normal practice that our uniformed service learners complete a 4-day residential at Catterick Garrison where they are able to simulate being an Army soldier for a short period of time; you may decide to join them, as a career as a military police officer may be your calling. Other students have volunteered to work at local charities like the British Heart Foundation or have volunteered their time at their local sports centre.

You will also be given the opportunity working alongside our Uniformed Public Services leaners to experience various vocations via guest speakers and day trips into industry. Previous trips have included: Meadowfield Police Training Centre where students got to act as perpetrators of crime for new Police recruits during riot training; Bishop Auckland Fire station where students played car crash victims and had the opportunity to be cut out of a car. In addition, guest speakers are booked often and include the Durham Constabulary Special Operations Unit, Durham Constabulary recent recruits, local PCSO’s, British Army, Royal Marines, Prison Officers, the Probation Service to name a few.

In addition to the work placement 4 day residential, there will also be opportunities over the period of the course to stop away from home on occasion. Trips in previous years have included:

London City and Houses of Parliament

Krakow

Berlin

Faslane Naval Base

Overnight camping expeditions in the Lake District

York Army Barracks

There is also an expectation for all students to undertake the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) award whilst at college. N.B – a small registration fee is required.

Students will also be expected to partake in fitness activities on a weekly basis, although previous fitness levels are not taken into consideration. You are required to achieve 5.4 on the bleep test for the police; this is something we work towards during the time on your course.

There will be an opportunity for you to undertake some certificated 1st aid training whilst on your course. This will ensure you stay ahead of the competition when applying for jobs and will enable you to respond in an emergency situation - a skill which is valued by any employer.

What will it give me?

Successful completion of our level 3 course will give you the equivalent of either 2 or 3 A levels, dependant on which route you take (this is discussed with tutors on day one).

Materials needed

Students will be required to purchase a uniform pack (1 hoody, 1 polo shirt, 1 T-shirt and 1 outdoor jacket); this will have a small cost implication as will any residential trips should you choose to partake in them (concessions may apply for student grants based on their personal circumstances).

What can I do when I finish?

If you achieve the required UCAS points (this is based upon your final grade), then you would be able to apply for the new Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (UK wide) where you would be paid to study at university whilst working as a Police Constable.

Alternatively, you will be eligible to apply for our own HND in Public Service course, or a related degree at an alternative provider; previous students have continued onto Durham, Leeds and Teesside university.

If however you are looking for an alternative career path, then our course provides transferable skills for students for employment in the: Army, Navy, RAF or Ambulance Service amongst others (previous students are now working in all of these fields and often come back as guest speakers).

What next?

Further study with us, higher education, employment opportunities in the sector.