Entry routes and leadership on the agenda at College of Policing summit
Improving police constable entry routes and developing leadership across the service were the key topics on the agenda at a College of Policing event attended by colleagues from across the country.
Around 200 officers and staff, as well as representatives from higher education, were at the two-day Leadership and Workforce Summit in Ryton-on-Dunsmore on October 26 and 27.
Leaders from across policing, including College of Policing CEO Andy Marsh, gave inputs on key leadership priorities, driving change and setting standards.
There was a focus on how the College is continuing to work with partners to further improve PC entry routes and maximise their potential, as well as sessions on promotion reform and career progression.
Also in attendance were 22 student officers, who shared their different journeys through the police constable degree apprenticeship (PCDA), degree holder entry programme (DHEP) and degree in professional policing (PPD) entry routes.
Improvements continue to be made to these entry route programmes, drawing on extensive evidence and experience about what makes them most effective. The students spoke about how the routes have prepared them for the role of a PC, as well as giving them skills to benefit their future ambitions within policing.
There was a comprehensive update on the new non-degree entry route, the Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP), which will also be available to forces in the coming months, and the curriculum and supporting documents for this has now been shared with all forces.
Chief Constable Andy Marsh, College of Policing CEO, said: “It was fantastic to see so many colleagues from across policing at the summit and to see the passion we all have to progress leadership and workforce development.
“There is lots of work going on to drive standards and change across policing, including the College developing the National Centre for Police Leadership.
“PC entry routes was also a key focus at the event, and it is essential that policing sets consistently high standards for new officers joining the service, regardless of their route into policing.
“All of the routes into the service now have a clear focus on operational policing including catching criminals and keeping communities safe.
“The current IPLDP will be decommissioned on 31 March 2024 as it is recognised this programme is outdated and not a long-term sustainable model. The new PCEP route has been modernised to equip officers with the skills needed to meet the complex policing challenges we face today, whilst contributing to a positive policing culture.”
The Higher Education Forum Board for Policing was represented at the event by chairs Clive Tattum and Dr Carol Cox.
The forum said: “Higher education is committed to supporting the service on its professionalisation journey and we hope that the new route will support the existing entry routes, providing a range of routes which will equip officers with the skills needed to meet the complex policing challenges of the 21st Century.
“We are incredibly proud of the work from the policing recruits who are and have completed the three pathways, with them providing us and the forces many examples of them feeling better equipped for the role.
“We hope the service utilises all of these entry routes to ensure it attracts the best candidates from all backgrounds.”