How to Become a Police Officer in England and Wales (FutureLearn)

Offered by The University of Law,
How to Become a Police Officer in England and Wales (FutureLearn)

Learn about the routes you can take into policing and the values and attributes developed by successful police officers. Develop your understanding of policing in the UK. Currently, policing is unrepresentative of the society it represents. To correct that, it’s vital that underrepresented and disadvantaged groups can learn about policing and consider their options for entering a career in policing.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

On this three-week course, educators from The University of Law will guide you through the principles and style of UK policing, particularly the role of diversity and inclusion, and the different policing models.
Discover the different routes to becoming a police officer
This course will take you through the numerous practical ways you can become a police officer. Without experience, the new Policing Education Qualification Framework (PEQF) routes into policing can be complicated so this course will give you a clearer roadmap.
You’ll also look at the various types of incidents that police deal with to help you evaluate whether a career in policing is right for you and, if so, which of the PEQF routes into policing is best for you.
Explore policing by consent and the Peelian principles of policing
You’ll investigate the qualities a police officer needs to have, as well as the Code of Ethics, and the evidence-based policing model to get a well-rounded view of what you need for a policing career.
Then, you’ll delve into the rank structure and the different specialist units within policing. This can help you develop your aspirations and discover the areas of policing you’d like to work towards joining.
Learn from the experts at The University of Law
ULaw wants policing to be accessible for people from all backgrounds and demographics to help make it more representative while bringing it into the 21st century.
Licensed by the College of Policing, this course is recognised as part of one of the new PEQF entry routes for the role of police constable.

What topics will you cover?
• The attributes, values and attitude needed to become a police officer
• The rank structure, professional standards, types of incidents police officer may deal with & examples of specialist units within policing (e.g. Criminal Investigations Department)
• Diversity, inclusion, Peelian principles, policing by consent
• Code of Ethics, National Decision Making Model and Evidence Based Policing
• Routes into Policing under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF)
• Policing Vision 2025 and the ULaw Pre-Join Degree (BSc hon Professional Policing )
Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore the different entry routes into policing under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF).
  • Identify which route into policing would suit you best.
  • Explore the different police ranks and careers within specialist policing units.
  • Explore the Peelian principles, policing code of ethics and the national decision making model.
  • Reflect on the importance of diversity and inclusion within policing.
  • Explore the key policing concepts such as policing by consent and evidence based policing.

Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone considering a career in policing or anyone interested in policing, investigation, or related areas.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Demystifying Mindfulness (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Leiden University

Demystifying Mindfulness (FutureLearn)

Discover the science of mindfulness, learn how it works and why, from a political, psychological, and philosophical perspective. Experience mindfulness for yourself, and learn whether it really works. Interest in meditation, mindfulness, and contemplation has grown rapidly in recent years. These practises are increasingly being seen as scientifically and psychologically valid forms of therapy.

Jul 5th 2021
5-12 Weeks
Why Religion Matters: Religious Literacy, Culture and Diversity (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The Open University

Why Religion Matters: Religious Literacy, Culture and Diversity (FutureLearn)

Discover why religion is important for understanding and engaging with global challenges. Consider the ways religion affects personal and political decision-making. Religion not only influences personal behaviours and ethics, but it’s also relevant to international conflicts and domestic policy decisions. On this course, you will gain a broader understanding of why religion matters in society and in different cultures.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Research Ethics and Vulnerability: Ethical Research in Adults with Impaired Decision-Making Capacity (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Malaya

Research Ethics and Vulnerability: Ethical Research in Adults with Impaired Decision-Making Capacity (FutureLearn)

Learn how to conduct ethical research with adults who have impaired decision-making capacity. Effectively protect research participants with impaired decision-making capacity. It is your responsibility to protect research participants. Those who have impaired decision-making capacity are incapable of giving informed consent. They may not be able to protect their own interests and merit special consideration by researchers and research ethics committees.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
An Introduction to Medical Ethics: The Impact of Disability Screening (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Manchester

An Introduction to Medical Ethics: The Impact of Disability Screening (FutureLearn)

Gain a clearer understanding of ethics and the ethical issues surrounding prenatal screening of disabilities. Build your confidence to address ethical questions. Ethics play an important role in healthcare, and need to be considered by health professionals and patients alike. On this course, you will get a practical introduction to ethics, and develop the reasoning skills needed to deal with ethical questions.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Ethical Management and Decision Making (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The University of Law,University of Law Business School

Ethical Management and Decision Making (FutureLearn)

Get to grips with how to manage ethically with this MOOC developed by the University of Law Business School. Learn how to manage within an ethical manner. In today’s working world, the terms ‘corporate responsibility’ and ‘sustainability’ are more important than ever. Corporations and organisations are increasingly about doing what is best for the community, the society and the environment. This three-week course from the University of Law Business School will teach you how to manage people within an effective manner, and also explore how not to manage people within a business.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
Creating Meaningful and Inclusive Museum Practices (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
International Council of Museums

Creating Meaningful and Inclusive Museum Practices (FutureLearn)

Learn how to engage and collaborate with diverse communities to turn museums into spaces of social inclusion and belonging. Encourage wider cultural participation, community inclusion, and co-curation. This course will broaden your perspective on the role of contemporary museums in community engagement and equip you with the skills to develop meaningful and inclusive museum projects.

Nov 29th 2021
4 Weeks
Creating Audio Description: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Royal Holloway, University of London,Vocal Eyes

Creating Audio Description: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (FutureLearn)

Explore how to design and create audio descriptions and audio introductions that fully represent a film, play, or TV programme. Design inclusive audio descriptions for film, theatre, and TV Audio description (AD) is a key means by which the full diversity of a programme, film, or live performance can be conveyed, allowing for greater participation and engagement from audiences.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Military Ethics: An Introduction (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
UNSW Sydney - University of New South Wales

Military Ethics: An Introduction (FutureLearn)

We explore the ethical responsibilities that weigh on military professionals, who are ‘managers of violence’. Military professionals are unusual in having the use of lethal force as a central, defining feature of their role, and unique in the level of force that they are authorized to use. This fact places a considerable ethical weight on military practitioners as well as the civilian decision-makers who authorize military missions.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Research Ethics: Working with People (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Introduction to Research Ethics: Working with People (FutureLearn)

Find out how to conduct ethical research when working with people with this online course for academic researchers. Ensure your research is up to the highest ethical standards. On this course, you will learn the principles of ethical research, and how to manage human subject research in sensitive and appropriate ways. You will consider issues like gaining consent, making sure that personal information is handled safely, and recruiting vulnerable participants.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Inclusive Education: Essential Knowledge for Success (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Queensland University of Technology

Inclusive Education: Essential Knowledge for Success (FutureLearn)

Discover what inclusive education really is, explore its benefits and learn to implement it at system, school and classroom level. Learn how to uphold the rights of all students to be included. All students should feel like they have the same opportunities to participate and achieve in education. Through this course with QUT, you will learn the concepts that underpin inclusive practice.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
How Artificial Intelligence Can Support Healthcare (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Copenhagen,University of Groningen,University of Tartu,University Medical Center Groningen - UMCG,University Hospital Cologne

How Artificial Intelligence Can Support Healthcare (FutureLearn)

Explore how AI can be used to improve patient care and build your understanding of how to implement AI in the health professions. Understand real-life AI healthcare applications and their impact on healthcare. The use of artificial intelligence to improve efficiency is prevalent across almost every industry, none more so than the world of healthcare.

Self Paced
4 Weeks