From Police Training to Police Education: Further professionalisation through the introduction of graduate-level qualifications at constable rank

Nesbit, John (2026) From Police Training to Police Education: Further professionalisation through the introduction of graduate-level qualifications at constable rank. Masters thesis, Buckinghamshire New University awarded by University of Staffordshire.

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Abstract

Abstract The context of this research was framed by a series of serious incidents of malpractice and criminal activity by a small number of serving police officers, resulting in negative publicity and generating the trigger points for politicians. The resultant publicity, demonstrations, and marked loss of public confidence in policing added to the pressure to reform policing in England and Wales. This centred around the initial recruitment and training for police officer recruits and witnessed the planned introduction of graduate level entry qualifications for the first time in England and Wales. However, that change was planned between 2015 and 2019 before finally being introduced in 2020, against some concerns and challenge from within policing. This thesis examines the process of introducing new entry routes into policing at constable rank employing a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data was collected by using a survey of students following one of the three graduate entry routes, and qualitative data was solicited through the conduct of semi-structured interviews with experts directly involved in the design or implementation of the new entry route process. Five main themes were identified through the research, firstly, the management of change in policing, which lacked any coherent plan or process and resulted in confusion. It also led to the reintroduction of a non-graduate entry route that undermined educational reform, potentially creating a two-tier police service and weakening the College of Policing’s position as the professional body for policing in England and Wales. A second theme was the communication of change in policing, which was ineffective, enabling negative speculation as to the value of graduate education in policing to remain unchallenged. The third theme was the need for further professionalisation of policing. Although considered as essential in developing graduate level skills for policing in the 21st century by some individuals, others raised concerns over distinguishing between academic qualification and further professionalisation. The fourth theme related to the impact of policing cultures on organisational change, manifested as resistance to change by stakeholders. The fifth theme was students’ perceptions of graduate entry programmes and considered influencing factors and the need for further research. The results of the research reflected the complexity of managing strategic change within policing, and the issue of simultaneousness. The research also indicates a need for comprehensive and inclusive change management processes, including the need for police forces to use established change management models and processes effectively communicating the intended outcomes from the change at every stage of the process, including the implementation stage. There needs to be an acceptance that graduate level skills are necessary for policing in the 21st century, as these are transferable to investigative work by police officers, providing a holistic educational approach which equally combines practical and academic elements of the curriculum. The future challenges faced by police forces in England and Wales require both training and education for police officer recruits and a supportive organisational culture. Strategic change in policing takes more than four or five years to implement, and requires investment in, and commitment to, longer-term strategies rather than short-term thinking for meaningful change to manifest. Without such change, the police service and the public will be worse for it.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Keywords:	Police professionalisation, Degree level qualifications in policing, Change management, policing in England and Wales
Depositing User:	Research and Knowledge Exchange Office Admin 1
Date Deposited:	07 May 2026 12:12
Last Modified:	07 May 2026 12:23
URI:	https://bnu.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/20981

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