Program Overview

Diploma in Policing

The Diploma in Policing is a program designed specifically for members of the Malta Police Force holding an appointment of Probationary Police Inspectors. The course covers four main areas of study: criminology, police investigation, policing, and law.

Course Overview

The program is designed to equip police inspectors with the knowledge and skills required of them. It discusses criminological theories and explains them using relevant, real-life situations, bringing to surface current controversies such as the death penalty, race and crime, victims' rights, the rights of offenders, domestic violence, and the nurture versus nature debate. Forensics and investigative skills are a core element of this course, which also includes current key issues of policing, namely: police culture, cybercrime, domestic violence, restorative justice, race/hate crime, homophobia/hate crime, the media, and law.

Eligibility

Applicants must be members of the Malta Police Force holding an appointment of Probationary Police Inspectors and be nominated by the Commissioner of Police. International applicants may also be admitted under specific regulations, and their eligibility will be decided by the Faculty Admissions Committee following an interview.

Program Structure

The program is part-time and takes four semesters to complete, totaling 60 ECTS credits.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this diploma, students will be able to:

1. Define crime and present the main theories of crime and criminal behavior.
2. Professionally compile police (inspector) reports.
3. Preserve scenes of crime/evidence.
4. Conduct investigations.
5. Prepare court cases.

Fees

No fees apply for Non-EU applicants, as this program is sponsored by the Malta Police Force.

Study Programme

The program is divided into two years, with compulsory units in each semester. The units cover a range of topics, including:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies
• Sociological, Biological, and Psychological Theories of Crime
• Key Issues in Policing
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Introduction to Civil Law and Procedure
• Introduction to Law (Prolegomena)
• Constitutional Law and Administrative Law
• Police Leadership and Management
• Psychology and Investigation
• Police Cooperation in Europe
• Crime Prevention and Community Safety
• Introduction to Criminalistics
• Criminal Justice, Ethics, and Human Rights
• Criminal Investigation

Governance

This program of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019, and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the Diploma in Policing under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.