18 August 2011

Universities launch new policing studies course

A new postgraduate course aimed at people involved in policing has been launched by a consortium of Scottish universities.

The Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR) Postgraduate Diploma in Policing Studies has been developed in close co-operation with the Scottish Police College.

The course has been developed for police officers and staff, people involved with policing from other backgrounds (such as those in the public, community and voluntary sectors who work in criminal justice and community safety fields) and those interested in a career in policing from across the UK and internationally.

The launch of the course has been welcomed by Chief Constable Patrick Shearer, President of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.

'Policing is performed in an increasingly diverse, complex and rapidly changing world where the need for advanced skill levels and knowledge has become ever more important,' said Mr Shearer. 'I therefore warmly welcome the establishment of this diploma.'

Among the subject modules being offered in the diploma are:

• Theories, concepts and models of policing, led by the University of the West of Scotland
• Education and Social Research, led by the University of Dundee
• Managing and controlling crime, led by the University of Glasgow
• Management and leadership in policing organisations, led by Robert Gordon University
• Social identity and the makings of community: anxiety, threat and security, led by St Andrews University

'This Diploma draws on the world-class expertise of Scotland’s universities and will provide an innovative, relevant and interdisciplinary programme for all those involved in policing,' said Lynn Kelly, programme director based at the University of Dundee.

The diploma has arisen out of the activities of the Scottish Institute for Policing Research. SIPR is a strategic collaboration between 12 of Scotland's universities and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, funded by the Scottish Funding Council, offering a range of opportunities for conducting relevant, applicable research to help the police meet the challenges of the 21st century and for achieving international excellence for policing research in Scotland.

For more information on the Institute see: www.sipr.ac.uk.

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Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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