UWTSD, South Wales & Gwent Police collaboration celebrated at graduation ceremony

Senior officers from South Wales and Gwent Police joined the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) graduation ceremonies in Swansea to congratulate officers receiving a Graduate Diploma and BSc in Professional Policing Practice.

UWTSD was one of the first universities in Wales to collaborate with police forces to deliver the two new programmes under the new Police Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF):

Working in collaboration with South Wales and Gwent Police, the University is delivering these programmes to student officers through the Blue Light Academy, a centre for excellence to deliver a new professional framework for the training of emergency officers and staff.

Training for the South Wales Police and Gwent Police recruits is split between core police officer training by Gwent and South Wales Staff at training locations in Bridgend and Cwmbran, in partnership with the University to develop, assess and accredit the qualifications element of their studies.

Bronwen Williams, Academic Director of the University’s Blue Light Academy said: “We have created a strong partnership where all parties have collaborated to create an academic programme that covers the College of Policing’s curriculum, which meets the needs of both forces, fits the working pattern of a response police officer, whilst maintaining academic credibility. 

“Since the first cohort in March 2019, the University has welcomed four cohorts a year delivering to nearly 1,000 new police officers from the two forces. 

“These new officers are the first to be going through the PEQF (Police Education Qualifications Framework) new recruitment process, with the aim of professionalising the role of the police constable to degree level. 

“They have combined their studies whilst working full time as a response police officer.

“To be able to celebrate this achievement at their graduation ceremonies is to celebrate their hard work, their determination and commitment to the role of police constable and to congratulate them on being trailblazers for this new route.”

The Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) forms part of the PEQF and is a two-year graduate diploma. The PEQF aims to ensure consistent practice in terms of the implementation, assessment, and accreditation of initial police training across the 43 forces in England and Wales.

The Graduate diploma covers the core policing practice that officers will need in order to achieve independent patrol status within their first year of employment and consist of work-based learning modules that are supported by off-the-job learning to achieve full occupational competency at the end of the second year.

The collaboration between UWTSD and the two police forces, in direct response to new guidelines issued by the College of Policing, was created 4 years ago to co-deliver a Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship and a Graduate Diploma in Professional Police Practice. The University is also delivering the new pre-join degree in Professional Policing, designed to raise the standards and professionalise policing.

UWTSD has a collaborative internal team from the Institute of Management and Health, comprising the Public Services Portfolio, Wales Academy of Professional Practice and Applied Research and Apprenticeship Development teams working in partnership with South Wales and Gwent Police forces to deliver the Apprenticeship degree and postgraduate diploma in Professional Police Practice.

PC Jordan Williams, graduating with colleagues from Gwent Police said: "Studying under the UWTSD Professional Policing Practice programme has enabled me to combine practical training with personal study.  As well providing the underpinning knowledge and professional practice, the programme, despite the pandemic, has provided me with a strong network of support from fellow trainees, experienced officers, and lecturers. I am grateful to the partnership between the force and the university for their investment in my career."

South Wales Police Superintendent Justin Evans, Deputy Welsh Lead for PEQF, said: “A huge well done to all those who have gained their degrees and diplomas. It’s a massive achievement and we wish you luck in your future policing careers.

“It really was a fantastic event and a pleasure to see so many of you enjoy your achievements together with family and friends.”

Chief Inspector Laura Bartley said: "What a fantastic achievement for each and every one of these officers. They were some of the first officers in the UK to commence the degree programme and this was undertaken with the significant additional challenge of the Covid 19 pandemic. They should be very proud of their efforts.

“If you’re looking for a career with us, we are currently recruiting for both police officers and police staff. Visit our website for more information.”

Further Information

Ella Staden

Swyddog y Wasg a'r Cyfryngau

Press and Media Officer

Cyfathrebu Corfforaethol a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus

Corporate Communications and PR

E-bost | Email : ella.staden@uwtsd.ac.uk

Ffôn | Phone : 07384467078