In December, Leeds Trinity University hosted its inaugural Policing Conference, showcasing the incredible work of our student officers on the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, which is delivered in partnership with West Yorkshire Police. 

Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, opened the event by offering his perspective on the value of education and nurturing officers, employees and students to become the best version of themselves. He also shared how his own experiences of policing and evidence-based practice helped shape him and his career. 

The importance of evidence-based teaching and learning is crucial in creating change within policing organisations, and several of our current and former apprentices presented the research projects they completed as part of their Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship. Each student presented their findings to an audience of academics, policing leaders and professionals, external partners, and fellow students demonstrating a vast amount of experience and knowledge. The feedback students received, praised the uniqueness of the research areas covered, one example being the link between football matches and an increase in domestic abuse reports, as well as the effort they invested. 

Students were asked questions about their academic and policing journey, and many of them noted the positive influence that higher education and Leeds Trinity had in developing an advanced understanding of policing concepts. Some, who were initially hesitant of the degree entry route, even indicated an interest in pursuing further qualifications. In my opinion, this speaks volumes for some key aims of the programme such as, allowing students and apprentices the freedom to research areas that are of particular interest to them and supporting those who previously may not have seen higher education as an option or possibility. 

Other speakers included Professor Peter Lindstrom, Head of Department of Criminology and Police Work at Linnaeus University, who discussed the work his department is doing alongside the Swedish Police highlighting the positive impact of higher education and police working in collaboration; and Dr Kirsty Bennett, Senior Lecturer in Policing, and Dr Michael Mathura, Lecturer in Criminology and Policing, at Leeds Trinity presenting on their respective areas of research - missing persons and autoethnography (research based on lived experience). 

We also highlighted Leeds Trinity University’s new PACE Compliant Podcast, spearheaded by Rob Glassborow, Lecturer in Policing. The podcast provides commentary on criminal justice matters in the UK and is designed to be open and accessible to students, teachers, police professionals and members of the public. 

The conference concluded with a positive outlook on the future, one where policing and higher education continue to work together to create and deliver evidence-based policing strategies to support the everchanging landscape of the world.  

Jacob Thandi, who organised the conference, is a Senior University Teacher in Policing at Leeds Trinity University.