About This Course
This short course gives participants an introduction to some of the key issues and challenges in modern policing. Through a series of expert-led sessions, the course explores how policing has changed over time, how officers respond to serious and high-pressure incidents, and why public trust in the police is so important.
Using real-life case studies, current research, and practical examples, participants will learn how major events can lead to changes in police procedures and decision-making. The course will also look at armed policing, including how officers make difficult decisions in fast-moving situations, as well as the relationship between the police and the public.
Lecturers:
Mr Alun Oldfield
Mr Steve Nash
Professor Martina Feilzer
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand how major incidents and past events have helped shape modern policing in the UK.
- Explain how police services learn from mistakes and critical incidents to improve procedures and responses.
- Describe the legal, ethical, and practical issues involved in armed policing.
- Understand how officers make decisions during high-pressure situations and how those decisions are reviewed afterwards.
- Identify the main factors that affect public trust and confidence in the police.
- Discuss how the media, public opinion, and community engagement can influence relationships between the police and the public.
- Use examples from the course to better understand current challenges and debates in policing.
Week 1 – Alun Oldfield:
This week’s session will discuss how the Police Can Evolve Through Lessons Learnt. This week we will delve into the profound impact of the Marchioness disaster, where the tragic loss of life became a catalyst for change in UK policing. Participants will explore how the event reshaped procedures and led to the creation of the Senior Identification Manager role, a pivotal advancement in disaster victim identification and crisis response.
Week 2 – Steve Nash:
This session explores the world of armed policing, where officers are required to make split-second decisions under intense pressure. Focusing on the legal, ethical and operational frameworks that guide armed responses, participants will examine real-life case studies and critical incidents to understand how decisions are made, justified and reviewed. Topics include the use of force, risk assessment, command structures, and post-incident procedures.
Week 3 – Professor Martina Feilzer:
This session explores the relationship between the public and the police, focusing on the key factors that influence trust and confidence. Using current research, real-world examples and public perception data, we will examine how legitimacy, fairness, transparency and accountability shape public attitudes toward policing. The session also considers the impact of high-profile incidents, media portrayal and community engagement on trust levels.
Course Cost
This short course is free
Application
Complete the form below to register. We’ll be in touch before the course starts.