The Higher Education Contribution to Police and Probation Training: Essential, Desirable or an Indulgence
| Author | Jane Dominey, Andy Hill |
| Pages | 5-16 |
THE HIGHER EDUCATION
CONTRIBUTION TO POLICE AND
PROBATION TRAINING: ESSENTIAL,
DESIRABLE OR AN INDULGENCE?
Jane Dominey, Principal Lecturer in Community and Criminal Justice and Programme
Leader for the Probation Qualification Framework & Andy Hill, Senior Lecturer in
Policing a nd Criminal J usti ce a nd Programme Lea der for the Foundati on Degree in
Policing, Division of Community and Criminal Justice, De Montfort University
Abstract
This article explores the higher education contribution to the qualifying training of police
officers and probation officers and asks whether university study is an essential, desirable or
indulgent ingredient in the education of people entering these careers. Claims for the
benefits of higher education in vocational training for criminal justice work are examined, as
is the extent to which possible benefits are delivered in practice. The importance of a
graduate workforce, the potential for the experience of higher education to lead to
organisational culture change, practice in the area of diversity and the exercise of professional
discretion are all investigated. The article concludes that, in order to make an essential
contribution to the training of these criminal justice workers, universities must deliver
programmes that offer real academic challenge and opportunity. The article draws on
research and policy as well as the authors’ experience as teachers and trainers in practice
settings and in higher education.
This article explores the higher education contribution to the qualifying training of police
officers and probation officers and asks whether university study is an essential, desirable or
indulgent ingredient in the education of people entering these careers. Claims for the
benefits of higher education in vocational training for criminal justice work are examined as
is the extent to which potential benefits are delivered in practice. The article draws on
research and policy as well as the authors’ experience as teachers and trainers in practice
settings and in higher education.
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The Higher Education Contribution to Police and Probation Training: Essential, Desirable or an Indulgence
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