Policing and Intelligence Analysis - MSc
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Our MSc Policing and Intelligence is designed to provide a detailed platform for critical analysis and evaluation of strategic level policing and the use of intelligence within investigations.
The course will be delivered by subject matter experts and experienced practitioners (including retired police officers) with a wealth of subject expertise, to build upon existing skills and develop new ones. This course has been developed through consultation with a range of police force areas, to give students the opportunity to examine strategic and operational policing, whilst also ensuring opportunities for enhancing reflective practice in order to better examine current work procedures amongst our student cohort.
Professional Placement option
For our MSc Policing and Intelligence Analysis degree, you will have the opportunity to take the Professional Placement version of the course, which is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course.
This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability and transferable skills. The placement experience will allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study, with support from our Careers+ team as well as advice and guidance from your School.
Please note that placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course.
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This course is
open
toInternational
students.What's covered in this course?
The course will develop your critical thinking skills surrounding the subjects of policing, policy and practice through complementary modules encompassing the theory and principles of operational policing, intelligence gathering, use of data, Inclusions and equality issues and much more.
To develop these skills, you will be involved in practical activities, events and will be exposed to a range of opportunities to reflect current working practices. Wider discussions will also be had on the changing nature of policing, criminal justice and public sector agencies as well as current risks, threats and harm which are impacting on communities at the operational level.
Optional modules for the course will include focus on Critical Incident Command or Advanced Safeguarding and Public Protection, allowing you to examine key contemporary issues within policing. Choice and flexibility with optional modules will ensure that learners will be able to pick those subject areas which best suit career aspirations.
Our MSc in Policing and Intelligence analysis will utilise a range of exciting and innovative forms of assessment which match the working practices within policing. You will also be supported in understanding effective strategic leadership and management within organisations, examining what works and the use of evidenced based best practice so as to utilise resources effectively. The course has been designed to work around current officers and police staff, as well as criminal justice practitioners.
The course is taught through the innovative and flexible block learning method of delivery. In this model, students will attend four, three hour workshops per module, per semester, requiring attendance of 4 days on campus during the course of a semester.
The remaining content will be available via our virtual ELearning environment. This flexibility will ensure that students can use the MSc to support career and educational progression within policing.
The course will provide support and guidance on recognising talent within organisations and how to support and develop staff to achieve their full potential within their chosen workplace.
The course prides itself on helping to educate and guide students so they feel capable and equipped to face a variety of incidents and issues. This course will combine all of these elements together to give students an opportunity to complete an investigative project around a chosen contemporary policing issue. This will provide learners with the tools to enhance existing critical thinking skills, identifying appropriate methodologies to ensure maximum impact and positive outcomes.
The material will ask students to analyse the moral, legal and ethical arguments within policing, examining legacy and its role in shaping community views on law enforcement. With a wide range of diverse communities, the course will ensure that students understand the changing nature of community dynamics and its importance in shaping policing practice, policy and procedure.
The course will develop enhance your professionalism and real world experience, ensuring that when students graduate, they are equipped to make an impact in law enforcement. Our course teaching team will also provide additional guidance sessions, online webinars and conference calls to support students with academic and research skills so as to ensure students are fully prepared to carry out the assessments throughout the course.
The course will also discuss the international dimension to law enforcement and how criminal activities are not just domestic in their construction. Module content will explore this in greater detail and through the use of guest lecturers from around the world, the professional relationships and shared intelligence between various policing agencies will be discussed.
Why Choose Us?
Critically evaluate strategic leadership and management within contemporary policing.
Evaluation of core and contemporary issues around ethics and diversity in policing.
Synthesis and apply the key concepts of intelligence analysis within policing.
Analyse the moral, legal, ethical, practical and theoretical arguments in policing.
Demonstrate critical, reflective competence in research skills and methods through practical activities.
Critically evaluate and apply concepts of evidence based policing within a contemporary setting.
Studying with us during the Covid-19 pandemic
The University has put in place
measures in response to Covid-19
to allow us to safely deliver our courses. Should the impact of the pandemic continue in future years, any additional or alternative arrangements put in place by the University will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of thestudent contract
.Program Outline
Year One
Year One
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 140 credits):
Strategic Leadership and Management 20 credits
Strategic leadership refers to a manager’s potential to express a strategic vision for the organisation, or a part of the organisation, and to motivate and persuade others to acquire that vision . Strategic leadership can also be defined as utilising strategy in the management of employees. It is the potential to influence organisational members and to execute change.
The aim of this module is to identify the core aspects of strategic leadership and how/why visions and values can be developed to enhance working principles and practices. You will examine how strategic leaders create organisational structures, allocate resources and express vision and how managers can work in and create safe environments.
You will explore the main objectives of strategic leadership, examining the balance between staff empowerment and improving productivity. You will be able to identify how strategic leaders encourage the employees to follow their own ideas and generate safe spaces for this to occur, making greater use of reward and incentive systems for encouraging productive. You will be able to recognise how functional strategic leadership focusses on inventiveness, perception, and planning to assist an individual in realising his objectives and goals.
You will participate in learning and teaching on this module via a combination of in-person workshops and ELearning activities. You will attend four, three hour workshops in Semester one on Birmingham City university campus. This will allow you to receive the core aspects of subject material relating to strategic leaderships within policing. In between in-person workshops, you will complete ELearning activities through using VLE. Students will be provided with considerable support for assignments and tasks throughout the 12 weeks of study.
Ethics and Diversity in Policing 20 credits
The aim of this module is to evaluate the concepts, practices and procedures surrounding equality, diversity and inclusion and the ways in which the police engage with diverse communities. The module will evaluate established definitions of equality, diversity and inclusion and how forces integrate these into operational strategy and policy. With historical practice continuing to influence contemporary policing, the content will examine whether Robert Peel’s interpretation of a service which reflected the communities it policed, has continued to focus force policy.
The module will evaluate the historical context of equality and ethical practice and the long and often contentious journey made towards reforming policing operational practice. It will critically examine the widening participation of community groups in police service delivery and the measures used by forces to understand cultural diversity when carrying out their roles and duties. The module requires students to critique how police culture & operational practice has or could influence and reinforce unconscious bias when interacting with the public and the role this plays in influencing community perceptions of the police.
You will participate in learning and teaching on this module via a combination of in-person workshops and ELearning activities. You will attend four, three hour workshops in Semester one on Birmingham City university campus. This will allow you to receive the core aspects of subject material relating to ethics and diversity within policing. In between in-person workshops, you will complete ELearning activities through using VLE.
Fundamentals of Intelligence Analysis 20 credits
The aim of this examine the role of intelligence analysis in combating insecurity both domestically and internationally with particular reference to policing in England and Wales. The module will provide you with an understanding of the development and changing use of intelligence since the end of the Second World War, examining how data and intelligence can be analysed to enhance policing.
You will focus on the manner in which the intelligence is gathered and interpreted with particular discussion as to how the changing security threats operates within an environment increasingly focused on public accountability and disclosure. In the module, you will also examine intelligence theory and how this has been practically applied within civilian, military and policing contexts. You will also examine how changes in technology and the increased focus on social media is seeing a shift in how data is gathered and interpreted within policing. The module will also ask you to develop critical understanding of the legislation which governs police overt and covert intelligence gathering and utilisation and the balancing of these with the civil liberties of those living within the state.
You will participate in learning and teaching on this module via a combination of in-person workshops and ELearning activities. You will attend four, three hour workshops in Semester one on Birmingham City university campus. This will allow you to receive the core aspects of subject material relating to intelligence analysis within policing. In between in-person workshops, you will complete ELearning activities through using VLE.
Applied Intelligence Analysis 20 credits
The aim of this module is to evaluate the use of intelligence analysis with organisations and how it can be used to target resources. The content will explore the collection and application of ‘big data’ and analytics within a range of different sectors. You will discuss the legal responsibilities of organisations when gathering data and the challenges and opportunities that intelligence can bring to wider policing context.
Further to this, you will examine the various methodologies of intelligence analysis, including structured analytical techniques and hypothesis generation, to develop a critical understanding of their relative strengths and weaknesses. You will also evaluate the use of predictive analysis and forecasting, both of which are key elements of intelligence products.
You will participate in learning and teaching on this module via a combination of in-person workshops and ELearning activities. You will attend four, three hour workshops in Semester two on Birmingham City university campus. This will allow you to receive the core aspects of subject material relating to applied intelligence analysis within policing. In between in-person workshops, you will complete ELearning activities through using VLE. You will be provided with considerable support for assignments and tasks throughout the 12 weeks of study.
Research Methods and Practice 20 credits
The aim of the module is to enable you to develop an understanding of the research process and the nature and variety of research methods together with the need for an evidence base to guide decision making processes. The design of the module allows for face-to-face and blended learning. Its characteristic features are to encourage you to see qualitative and quantitative methods as equally valuable and often complementary and to involve you, wherever possible, in using and applying the methods.
The module will equip you with an ability to identify and utilise appropriate strategies and techniques for the purpose of individual investigations and research in professional development and practice. Toward this end, you will undertake workshop sessions, where they are introduced to research examples in order to critically consider how research is undertaken in an academic and professional contexts.
You will develop research skills exploring data management, analysis, interpretation and presentation and preparation; the application of statistical techniques; coding, categorising and pattern seeking in qualitative data; research report writing, publishing and dissemination. The module content will help you to select and apply suitable research methods for dissertation projects.
You will participate in learning and teaching on this module via a combination of in-person workshops and ELearning activities. You will attend four, three hour workshops in Semester two on Birmingham City university campus. This will allow you to receive the core aspects of subject material relating to research methods and practicewithin policing. In between in-person workshops, you will complete ELearning activities through using VLE. You will be provided with considerable support for assignments and tasks throughout the 12 weeks of study.
Policing Action Project 40 credits
The Police Action Project (PAP) is the culmination of the careful and deliberate development of research teaching, learning and practice on the programme. The PAP represents a truly independent piece of research conducted under the supervision of the dissertation tutor. The PAP allows you to conduct your own original research (either primary or secondary) and allows for the demonstration of the following skills: communication in clear written English, the ability to analyse and interpret complex data sets or secondary literature, the ability to analyse and interpret information and arguments, the ability to construct critical arguments, original and independent analysis and judgement, in-depth research skills, time management and planning, the ability to structure and organise an argument.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules:
Multi-Professional Practice 20 credits
Multi-Professional Practice refers to a manager’s potential to work across and lead statutory and collaborative multi-agency and partnership arrangements with organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors. The aim of this module is to develop your strategic, tactical and operational skills in understanding and evaluating policies, structures and practices that govern and influence the way in which multi-professionals deliver improved outcomes for communities. You will also examine the need to influence, motivate and persuade others in understanding mutual business benefits and developing/ delivering improved community safety outcomes in the face of civil emergencies and contingency planning.
The module content will identify the core aspects of multi-professional practice and how/why effective collaborative working practices between diverse organisations can be developed to the benefit of community safety outcomes and outputs and the way appropriate authorities respond to civil emergencies. You will identify how strategic leaders can create effective relationships with partner agencies, create structures, share resources and assets and combine training opportunities to ensure joint work effectiveness and accountability in dealing with a range of multi-disciplinary and emergency demands. You will examine case studies around best practice and how leaders inspire others in reducing risk and maximising safety when working under extreme conditions in protecting the public and their workforce. In order for you to realise their own personal objectives and goals.
You will participate in learning and teaching on this module via a combination of in-person workshops and ELearning activities. You will attend four, three hour workshops in Semester two on Birmingham City university campus. This will allow you to receive the core aspects of subject material relating to multi-professional practice within policing. In between in-person workshops, you will complete ELearning activities through using VLE. You will be provided with considerable support for assignments and tasks throughout the 12 weeks of study.
Evidenced Based Practice 20 credits
The aim of this module is to examine the role of evidence based practice in service delivery, with particular reference to policing. The content will evaluate approaches used in Evidence-Based practice, with reference to specific case studies. This is to ensure that you are able to recognise its impact and effectiveness within policing context.
Content will include consideration of police decision-making, and how effective working can be facilitated through the use of evidence. The different types of evidence that practitioners might draw upon will be evaluated throughout the module, in order to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each. Particular consideration will be given to the need for evaluations of methods, procedures and practices, in order to optimise performance and maximise outcome(s).
You will participate in learning and teaching on this module via a combination of in-person workshops and ELearning activities. You will attend four, three hour workshops in Semester two on Birmingham City university campus. This will allow you to receive the core aspects of subject material relating to evidenced based practice within policing. In between in-person workshops, you will complete ELearning activities through using VLE. You will be provided with considerable support for assignments and tasks throughout the 12 weeks of study.
Critical Incident Command 20 credits
The module aims to develop an understanding of command and control within a range of different organisations, evaluating its implementation within a number of sectors. The content will examine definitions, procedures, relevant legislation which governs within command structures. You will critically examine the importance of developing resilience within organisational structures as well as lines of formal and informal communication in order to create memorandums of understanding amongst groups and organisations under the command of a team or individual.
The module will critically examine the function of command and control structures and how organisations identify core goals and objectives which are achievable within the resources available to the team. You will evaluate the importance of communication and ensuring that lines of communication are clear within both in planned and spontaneous incidents.
You will participate in learning and teaching on this module via a combination of in-person workshops and ELearning activities. You will attend four, three hour workshops in Semester three on Birmingham City university campus. This will allow you to receive the core aspects of subject material relating to command and control within policing. In between in-person workshops, you will complete ELearning activities through using VLE. You will be provided with considerable support for assignments and tasks throughout the 12 weeks of study.
Advanced Safeguarding and Public Protection 20 credits
The aim of this module is to examine the methods and policies which protect, empower and support those who are vulnerable within England and Wales. The content will define safeguarding and examine how multi-agency partnership approaches and policy, attempts to reduce the risk factors which can lead to displacement and exploitation. You will evaluate the difficulties of providing protection and the increasing issues faced by forces in the backdrop of austerity and a cost saving approaches.
You will examine key pieces of legislation including the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and what agencies should do to manage and protect those with severe learning, mental and physical disabilities within England and Wales. Concepts such as vulnerability, neglect, abuse, forced marriage and modern slavery will be examined in critical detail with specific reference to mixed methods and approaches developed by agencies to tackle these issues.
You will participate in learning and teaching on this module via a combination of in-person workshops and ELearning activities. You will attend four, three hour workshops in Semester three on Birmingham City university campus. This will allow you to receive the core aspects of subject material relating to ethics and diversity within policing. In between in-person workshops, you will complete ELearning activities through using VLE. You will be provided with considerable support for assignments and tasks throughout the 12 weeks of study.
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
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