2. The Course Context

The College of Policing in consultation with UK police forces has introduced a qualification framework to professionalise the role of police officers at every rank. The result is that from the role of police constable upwards, the police service is becoming a graduate profession. To achieve this, the service now needs the assistance of the Higher Education sector to deliver two of the new programmes, one is for existing degree holders and the other is the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) on which you are enrolled. The qualification for the PCDA is the ‘Degree in Professional Policing Practice’ which is a practice-based qualification that provides apprentice police officers with the skills and abilities needed in 21st century policing.

Wiltshire Police and the University of South Wales are working in collaboration to deliver the programme to all new WP police officer recruits and are fully committed to support apprentices in meeting these needs both academically and Operationally. From your first day you will be both a serving Police Officer and a USW student. WP and USW will work closely at every stage of the programme and will share any necessary information that affects your development during your probationary period. Examples of information may include student engagement, assessments gradings, attendance and conduct (not an exhaustive list).

The PCDA is a three-year, full time qualification that requires you to work as a serving police officer for 40 hours a week. In the event that you are authorised to work on a part time basis, as per Force Policy, your study programme will be adjusted proportionately. Upon achieving all academic and practice-based competencies outlined in the programme you will be Fully Operationally Competent (FOC), a graduate with a Degree and have successfully completed your probationary period with the employer.

Your training will be delivered as a mix of a digitally enhanced curriculum (online), practicals and classroom-based lessons at Wiltshire Police premises. The main Wiltshire Police Learning and Development Block is at:

Wiltshire Police Police Headquarters, London Road, Devizes. SN10 2DN

USW is situated in various locations across South Wales, including the town of Pontypridd and the cities of Cardiff and Newport. Your course is run by the Faculty of Life Sciences and Education and as a University student, you have the opportunity to use facilities at all campuses.

Details of the facilities available at each of the campuses can be found on the Campus Facilities page, or by following this link: https://www.southwales.ac.uk/about/location/

In the event you need to locate a specific room at an University campus you can search for a room number using this link: http://findaroom.southwales.ac.uk/:

NB. Hyperlinks to key information are included throughout this document. To open the hyperlinks (usually shown in underlined coloured text) simply hold the Ctrl Key down and click the link with the left mouse button. Disclaimer: The information contained within this handbook is accurate at the time of publication; however, it is subject to change.