Home Affairs CommitteeWritten evidence submitted by Alex Marshall, Chief Executive, College of Policing [LSP 38]
Thank you for your letter of 1 May asking for information on the Certificate in Knowledge of Policing. I have responded to each of the questions you raise below. I have also included some brief background details.
The Certificate in Knowledge of Policing was introduced in April 2012. It was developed from the Curriculum of the Initial Police Learning Programme and accredits underpinning knowledge from the broader Diploma in Policing. The Diploma in Policing is the National Minimum Professional Qualification for a new constable and the Certificate is a means towards achieving the Diploma.
The Certificate was developed by the College of Policing with Skills for Justice, the Sector Skills Council. The qualification was developed in response to initiatives in police forces to offer a similar course but without appropriate external accreditation, which would not have had consistent recognition as learning towards the Diploma.
The Certificate enables individuals applying to the role of police constable to complete part of the Diploma in Policing prior to entry into the service. This allows candidates to take responsibility for their learning.
The College of Policing is working very closely with police forces and with providers to support the introduction of the Certificate. The College recognises that this is a new approach but to date there has been a very positive and engaged response from providers.
1. Who will issue these certifications?
The Certificate is offered by three Awarding Organisations: City and Guilds; OCR; and Skills for Justice Awards. These are commercial organisations that approve local assessment centres to assess and award the Certificate. The learning required to achieve the Certificate is offered by these assessment centres, which are within Further Education, Higher Education and the independent sector.
The College has introduced an ‘Approved Provider Scheme’ to ensure that all providers are formally assessed and approved by the College as suitable providers, capable of the necessary rigour of both teaching and assessment. Providers will, from June 2013, be required to provide data every 6 months on the diversity profile of the recruitment and retention of candidates.
2. Who will require this certification?
There is no national requirement for candidates to achieve the Certificate in Knowledge of Policing. A small number of police forces have introduced this requirement locally including the Metropolitan Police Service who has worked closely with the College. Most forces are likely to continue to operate a mixed entry arrangement at least until there are sufficient candidates holding the Certificate across the county.
3. The requirements to attain this certification
There are currently no specific entry requirements for the course and qualification. Many of the current candidates are PCSOs and Special Constables. However, all providers must make it clear to candidates that the qualification does not in any way guarantee success in recruitment to a police force.
4. The method of assessment for attaining this certification
The Certificate is a modular qualification, made up of 10 units at Level 3 of the Qualifications and Credit Framework. It is assessed via a mix of methods including tests, open book assignments and closed book assignments. The Certificate is offered as full time, part time, evenings only and weekends only. There are currently no distance learning providers but it is expected that we will approve a distance learning provider.
5. How much this certification will cost
The cost of awarding the Certificate currently varies between £750 and £1,000 per candidate.
6. When this certification comes into force, and to whom it will apply
The Certificate in Knowledge of Policing was introduced in April 2012. There is currently no national requirement for candidates to achieve the Certificate.
7. How applicants are expected to pay for this certification
The qualification is approved for funding by the Skills Funding Agency (within the
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills); arrangements for funding for individual candidates meeting the Skills Funding Agency criteria will be managed by providers. We will be monitoring the level of funding provided going forward.
8. Who made the decision to introduce this certification?
In December 2011 the Association of Chief Police Officers Cabinet approved a strategy ‘Professional Entry for Policing’ which set out the benefits of the Certificate in Knowledge of Policing. Part of the rationale for the initiative is to align entry to policing more closely with other professions. The College of Policing is now responsible for this work and is actively supporting and assisting police forces and providers.
I hope the above of is of use. We would be pleased to provide further information as this initiative progresses.
Alex Marshall, Chief Executive, College of Policing
May 2013