Community-based training launched for senior PSNI detectives

Northern Ireland's most senior detectives are to take part in a unique educational initiative, which sees the PSNI link up with Queen's University.

The Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the Institute of Lifelong Learning will offer Senior Investigating Officers a professional Postgraduate Certificate in Law, Policing, the Investigation of Serious Crime (Work-based Learning).

The fully accredited certificate will be a tailor-made programme taught jointly by the School of Law and the Work-Based Learning Unit of the Institute of Lifelong Learning.

Speaking at the launch of the new initiative in Queen's, Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton said that it "was an important day for policing".

"This is a new and exciting approach to training and we are delighted to join with Queen's University in providing this course," Mr Leighton said. "Policing with the community sits at the very heart of all that we do and training and education are the drivers which help us do this.

"Every single senior detective in the Police Service will take this course and the first intake of fifteen students is comprised of the most senior detectives in Northern Ireland who will be taken out of the policing environment and placed into a situation where they will learn from university staff and members of the community who have specialist skills and experiences."

Elda Nikolou-Walker, Senior Teaching Fellow Head of Work-Based Learning at Queen's said the University was very proud to be involved in the development of policing in Northern Ireland.

"Like all of the work-based learning programmes these postgraduate courses offer a combination of academic learning and work-based skills," she explained. "These will ensure that all participants receive enough theory and practical based training to enhance their working abilities. Specifically the course will further enhance the investigative skills of the participants and their appreciation of the related community context."

(MB/SP)