Introduction to Professional Policing: Examining the Evidence Base

Policing is a dynamic profession with increasing demands and complexities placed upon police officers, staff and volunteers who provide a 24-hour service across a diverse range of communities. Written by experts in policing higher education from across both academic and professional practice, this book equips aspiring or newly appointed police officers, staff and volunteers with the knowledge and understanding to deal with the significant and often complex challenges they face daily.

This second edition of Introduction to Professional Policing explores a number of the core underpinning knowledge requirements identified as themes within the ever-evolving National Policing Curriculum (NPC) and Police Constable Entry Routes (PCER), while also informing those embarking on leadership development. These include:

• Community and neighbourhood policing
• Counter-terrorism
• Digital policing
• Ethics, equality, diversity and inclusion
• Evidence-based policing
• Maintaining professional standards
• Police leadership
• Problem solving and problem-oriented policing
• Victims and protecting the vulnerable
• Volunteers in policing

This edition has been reviewed and significantly updated in line with the dynamic and ongoing demands faced by operational policing and therefore the associated knowledge requirements for policing education and training. The book is refocused on the learning requirements contained within the range of entry routes now available in to policing, as well as the professional development of those serving as police staff and volunteers. This includes new chapters providing insights into community and neighbourhood policing, problem solving and volunteers in policing.

At the end of each chapter the student finds a case study, reflective questions and an extensive reference list, all of which reinforces students’ knowledge and furthers their professional development. Written in a clear and direct style, this book supports aspiring police officers, newly appointed police officers, direct entry detectives, community support officers, special constables and police staff. It will also be of interest to those embarking on a leadership journey within policing and anyone wanting to learn more about the profession of policing. It is essential reading for students taking a professional policing degree or commencing any of the police constable entry routes.

Ian Pepper is a professor in policing at the International Centre for Policing and Security, University of South Wales, and an advisor on higher education within policing nationally. Ian is a former principal lecturer in policing, senior lecturer in crime scene and forensic science, police trainer, crime scene investigator (CSI) and fingerprint officer. He has been a team leader at the National Training Centre for Scientific Support to Crime Investigation and has designed and delivered education and training to crime scene investigators and police officers worldwide. Ian has undertaken additional academic roles including chair of the QAA/College of Policing subject benchmark statement for policing, visiting professor in professional practice at the University of Sunderland and invited visiting scholar at the University of Central Florida, USA. With research interests focused on policing higher education, police leadership and volunteering in policing, Ian has authored and edited a range of journal articles and policing publications.

Ruth McGrath teaches on the BSc Crime and Investigation course at Teesside University, and more recently became course leader of the BSc Professional Policing. Before this Ruth served with Cleveland Police where she experienced a range of operational roles, including uniformed policing, investigation, roads policing and custody officer. As a detective she was engaged in major crime investigations and completed a six-month secondment to a national unit based at New Scotland Yard. During her service she was also a police trainer and an A1 NVQ Assessor. Ruth has taught and managed numerous policing programmes at Teesside University including the Police Foundation Degree. With a special interest in policing higher education, Ruth has authored several journal articles and contributed to a published volume.