City and Islington College (CANDI) has become the first college in London to offer a new Access to Higher Education Diploma in Policing to support recruitment to the Metropolitan Police.
The diploma covers key topics for the modern police service, such as ethics, values, communication skills and evidence-based policing. The course also has a section focusing on the importance of community policing and includes additional units on criminology, law and sociology.
The course will give students the skills and knowledge to apply for a Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship or other higher education policing programmes.
Students who complete the diploma and successfully apply to join the Met though the apprenticeship may be eligible for reimbursement of a percentage of course fees.
Nigel Lewis, Curriculum Leader for Public Services, said: “London is one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the world and policing it is no easy task, but I know from my own experience as a former Met Police officer it is one of the most rewarding careers you can have.
“It takes a huge number of people from all sorts of different backgrounds with a wide range of skills and experience to police London. Many people have the potential to be great police officers but don’t yet have the entry qualifications to apply to be a police constable.
“As a police constable, you’ll have the opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of Londoners every day. You’ll build relationships with local communities, reduce crime, support victims and keep people safe. No day is ever the same but every day you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that what you do has made a real difference to the lives of Londoners.”
Access courses are for people aged 19 or over who want to apply to university or other higher education courses but do not have entry qualifications such as A Levels or BTECs, or those seeking a career chance.
The Access to Policing diploma is a nationally recognised qualification and has been developed by the Met and awarding body OCN London.
There are no specified formal entry requirements but there is an expectation that students will have literacy, communication skills and numeracy at Level 2, equivalent to GCSE, or above.
Superintendent Tamsin Jones, Head of the Met Police’s Centre of Initial Recruit Training, who joined as a direct-entry superintendent just over five years ago, said: “London’s communities need more police officers who are as diverse as them, who understand them and who have a real desire to make everyone safer.
“Many people we speak to have a wealth of life experience and other skillsets that would make them fantastic police officers, but they don’t yet have the educational qualifications needed to apply for a career in policing.
“This course is designed specifically for them. The new diploma in policing was jointly developed by experienced Met Police officers and education experts, to help people gain the qualifications and confidence they need to apply to join the Met.
“I truly believe that policing is one of the most fulfilling careers in the world. Each day is different, each shift is challenging and every moment is an opportunity for you to change someone’s life for the better.”
