Tag: UWE Bristol

Community at Christmas

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

Our final UWE Bristol Policing blog for 2025 is proudly written by PC 999 Elf, who enjoyed the experience so much last year, he was desperate to repeat it this year. PC Elf would like to help our readers find their inner Christmas spirit at what can be a challenging time of year for many people, including police officers, staff and all those who care for them, as well as the people in the communities they serve.

Hello everyone! It’s great to be back out in public again after 11 months confined to a back-office role (i.e. the office drawer!). I’m really keen to get back out in the community and see what’s been going on this past year.

Right, before getting back on active duty, I had to undergo my annual fitness test. Being a part of the Elf Constabulary has its quirks, I have to say. Not only do I have to pass the bleep test, but I also have to wrap an awkward-shaped present in less than 30 seconds. And my annual PDR includes being measured on whether my ‘elf on the shelf’ initiatives are improving children’s behaviour in the runup to Christmas, as well as a presentation about how to take an evidence-based approach to which mince pie is the best, which is very messy 😊. But it’s all in day’s work for me! Just have to make sure I don’t sample too many of those mince pies so that I can still finish the bleep test!

Speaking of bleep tests, police recruitment and education in the Avon and Somerset area has really stepped up a gear in 2025. While recruitment is slightly down nationally, round these parts 10 cohorts on various police constable entry routes have joined Avon and Somerset. Of course they receive their police education at UWE, and this really shows how important collaboration and community are to achieving success. Working together produces something special. The collaboration has been so successful that a new 10-year-contract between UWE and Avon & Somerset Police was signed this year, helping to ensure that the area continues to produce such a high-quality policing workforce. Policing students at UWE really go above and beyond. One policing student even participated in Project Zulu, helping to deliver lessons about safeguarding in schools to pupils in South Africa. With this kind of drive, those policing students are going to need all the chocolate and mince pies they can lay their hands on this Christmas!

Community, whether home or abroad, is a key Christmas theme and something which policing has embraced. 2025 saw the launch of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee in England and Wales. UWE is supporting this with the development of a special Neighbourhood route for degree holder police recruits. But it starts closer to home, with all of us and our local communities, both at home and at work. Policing @ UWE is incredibly proud that the policing team was recently Highly Commended by UWE’s Vice Chancellor for the commitment they’ve displayed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Recognising everyone’s value and contribution is essential to social cohesion and healthy teams, including in the police. On the Elf squad, we have long known this – Christmas is a time when all mythical creatures must work together to get things done and ensure Santa is able to get his presents delivered across the world. Here I am with some of my fellow Christmas colleagues, the Gonks, who are responsible for protecting your homes (and letting Santa in if you don’t have a chimney).

We’ve all got our role to play to make sure Christmas runs smoothly and our communities remain as safe and happy as possible during this period. Spare a thought for the delivery drivers out there. Apparently Royal Mail delivered 188 million parcels over the Christmas period last year! That’s still not a patch on Santa, though, who delivers more than 500 million parcels in one night! (Siegel, 2021). This is why he needs those mince pies and cookies – it takes a lot of magical energy to keep that pace going. Anyway, coming back to teamwork, he couldn’t do it if it wasn’t for his army of elves and other magical creatures with their special skills, all working together in the background. It’s what you humans call multi-agency working.

Sadly, Christmas isn’t always full of cheer for everyone. This year Bristol reported the highest number of homeless people in the South West. The Charity Shelter report 4390 people in the city will be experiencing Christmas on the streets (Shepard, 2025). For others, the cost-of-living crisis is overwhelming, but help is on its way. Operation Community Hamper CIO has been putting together wonderful food hampers with help from UWE and some amazing volunteers, including one of our own, Senior Lecturer Dom McVeigh and his wonderful family.

Everyone can contribute something to make Christmas better. A small act of kindness can have as much of an impact on an individual as a big, bold corporate gesture.  A hot drink or sausage roll for someone who is homeless can mean so much.

It is always a busy time for the emergency services, Avon and Somerset Police launched their annual Christmas drink and drug driving campaign earlier this month, making 62 arrests in the first week (Avon and Somerset, 2025). That’s on top of all the crimes they are investigating as normal, making for a busy workload. Some of the incidents my human colleagues deal with can be traumatic and we ask you to spare a thought for these unsung heroes just doing their daily jobs. Please, don’t drink/drug drive!

Here on the Elf squad, we’re trying to do our bit too. We might be famous for our sense of mischief and fun, but we’re also hard workers (we have to be to get all those presents ready for Santa). Me and some of my colleagues have been applying for different roles to help out, from squad van driver to motorcycle team and even the mounted (reindeer) division…

Well, things to do, elves to see…but from us to you, our serving police officers (and elves) and all Blue light services, we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and safe New Year.

PC 999 Elf …

(Ably assisted and authored by Associate Directors Sarah Williams and Anne Eason).

Avon and Somerset Police (2025) News of fatal collisions is not a Christmas message we want to deliver | Avon and Somerset Police

Motor Transport (2025) Christmas parcel deliveries boost Royal Mail revenue ahead of £3.6bn sale to Czech billionaire | Motor Transport

Shepard, G. (2025) Bristol records highest homeless rate in South West, Bristol Live Bristol records highest homeless rate in South West | Bristol Live

Siegel, E. (2021) This is How Santa Claus Can Deliver Presents to the Entire World in One Night. Forbes [online] 10 December. Available online at: This Is How Santa Claus Can Deliver Presents To The Entire World In One Night

Editorial Team

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer) and Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer).

UWE Policing Book Club: Third Edition.

Author claudiamccready | Posted on

With the festive season fast approaching, and those last-minute gift requests flying around, we thought why not publish a further edition of the UWE Policing Book Club…  

Spoiler alert: this one is for the non-fiction fans!

Join Mike, Brian, Paul and Ian as they share a few of their top reads from this year. Whether you are planning to switch off over Christmas or are working in the vital services that keep everything running, we hope you find a moment to enjoy a great book.

Mike Griffiths recommends ‘Black Box Thinking’, by Matthew Syed.

Black box thinking is a concept popularised by Matthew Syed, which involves learning from mistakes and failures to improve future performance. I came upon this book some time ago and I was interested in the cross over between completely different aspects of commerce and industry, such as hospitals and the world of aviation. My interest stemmed from the fact that my father worked in the aircraft industry in the 1950s, a time of great innovation but at the same time, plenty of disasters, such as the D.H. Comet mark 4.

As I read it, I saw a direct relevance to modern day policing where mistakes can have serious consequences, including loss of public trust and safety issues. Black box thinking, would encourage police officers to analyse errors systematically, much like aviation industry investigators who analyse flight data after an incident. By examining what went wrong and why, police can identify patterns and underlying issues that need addressing. This process helps to prevent similar mistakes in the future, thereby improving overall effectiveness and reliability. Black box thinking aligns well with evidence-based policing, which uses data and research to inform practices and policies.

Outline of an airplane taking off.

I think that if we introduced a more detailed examination of policing practices, as Matthew Syed suggests, we could greatly improve policing.

“When people don’t interrogate errors, they sometimes don’t even know they have made one (even if they suspect they may have).” – Matthew Syed

Brian Clifford recommends ‘The Forgotten Slave Trade’, by Simon Webb.

This book explores the slave trade starting with slavery in the ancient world and widens the reader’s knowledge of this subject across the world. A century before Britain became involved in the transatlantic slave trade it was involved in the wider slave trade. Some of what the reader will discover may challenge current thinking and understanding of this subject.

Most people are aware that Bristol was a major centre for the transatlantic slave trade in the eighteenth century but hardly anyone knows that 1000 years earlier it had been an important staging post in the slave trade of English slaves to Africa.

This book highlights how slavery cuts across all cultures, races and religions. This book will change the way you view the slave trade and show that many commonly held beliefs about this controversial subject are almost wholly inaccurate and mistaken.  

This book does not seek to lessen the impact of this terrible trade. Instead, it highlights how widespread the practice has been and that virtually all parts of the world have both practiced and been affected by slavery.

I have sometimes struggled to find time to read but in recent years I have always enjoyed the learning and entertainment reading provides. More recently I have used the hour drive home from campus to listen to audiobooks. I find this a good way to unwind and reset after a busy day and make use of what may be considered unproductive time. While I enjoy a good thriller the opportunity to learn something new is always welcome. This book has done that.

Paul Williamson recommends ‘How to Strangle a Jelly’, by Les King.

How to Strangle a Jelly is a compelling and often humorous exploration of communication through the lens of a remarkable 50-year career spanning policing, probation and university lecturing. Les brings to life a wide range of experiences, from operational briefings and courtroom encounters to university lectures and wedding speeches, showing how the right words, delivered the right way, can inform, persuade, console, and even protect lives.

I had the privilege of working with Les earlier in my policing career, and I learned a great deal from his natural, people-centred style of communication. He had a remarkable ability to put people at ease, whether they were victims, colleagues, complainants or suspects. That same authenticity and calm confidence runs right through this book.

Now, as a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader in Policing and Criminology, I see even more clearly the value of what Les models so well, communication that is grounded, purposeful, and human. One of my favourite moments in the book involves a lesson he learned on a sergeants’ course about the power of effective briefings—a reminder of how much thought and preparation goes into good leadership communication.

Key Takeaways

  • Communication is not just a technical skill—it’s an evolving, reflective practice.
  • People respond best to communicators who are authentic, emotionally intelligent, and adaptable.
  • Les’s blend of storytelling and practical models makes this book a great read for anyone working in policing, education, or public service.
  • It is often the everyday interactions, not just the high-pressure moments, that define your effectiveness as a communicator.

How to Strangle a Jelly is thoughtful, funny, sometimes sombre and profoundly practical. Whether you are a new policing recruit or decades in, there is something in this book for everyone who wants to connect more meaningfully with others.

Bonus chapters – Ian Lowe recommends…

If you like ‘Black Box Thinking’ by Matthew Syed, Ian Lowe also recommends ‘Outliers’ by Malcolm Gladwell and ‘Peak’ by Robert Pool & Anders Erricson.

I can’t help it; Sorry. I have to push the boundaries, bend the rules. Which might be why I like the above books.

I read them all reasonably close to each other. Each one in its own right is worthy of reading (see Anne Eason’s recommendation for Black Box Thinking). However, if you take the time to read all three, you gain a greater level of perspective on the subject matter.

For example: All three books discuss the now infamous, it takes 10000 hours of practice at anything to become an expert. Well Peak invented this rule, although it is actually. It takes 10000 hours of deliberate practice. Which is a very specific type of practice. Outliers simplified it and made it famous and that is how most of us have heard of it. Blackbox thinking applies it further and in new ways.

I suppose what I am saying is read. Our thoughts and ideas are made from the content that we consume, so make that content the best quality that we can.

Editorial Team

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Senior Lecturer) & Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer).

If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.ac.uk

Please feel free to leave a comment below which will be shared with the contributors.

Final Focus inside UWE Bristol’s Professional Policing Degree & Special Constabulary

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

In the final instalment of this blog series, we meet Trinni Dagger, a UWE Bristol Professional Policing Degree (PPD) student who has combined her studies with volunteering as a Special Constable with Avon and Somerset Police. From her first open evening at UWE to completing over 650 hours on response shifts, Trinni shares how the PPD has helped her build confidence, understand police powers in practice, and confirm that policing is the career for her.

Discovering the Professional Policing Degree

To join the police, you need a degree and when I attended a UWE open evening, this course was shown to me. Even when I was younger, I have always said that I wanted to be a police officer, so I was very keen to join. I wanted to do CID originally when I joined the degree because I thought I was too small be an officer but after specialling, I have come to the conclusion that I do in-fact want to be an officer.

This PPD course has helped with my understanding of offences and powers. It has also helped with my decision making on shift.

Gaining Experience through the Special Constabulary

I was made aware about the Special Constabulary by our Programme Leader Christian during the first year of university. This allowed us time to prepare to apply during the second year. I wanted to gain experience on shift (try before you buy) to make sure that this is what I really want to do. I also wanted to be able to put what I learnt at university into action.

In terms of the online National Sift, I found that this process is a little confusing in the way that it can fail you on your decisions of you as a person. I find that it’s a harsh way to stop people from applying due to not giving the answers they want when technically there shouldn’t be a right or wrong answer. My top tip is to take your time when answering and ensure that you definitely read the questions correctly. 

The application process is straight forward as in they communicate the next steps and dates for things really well. The recruitment process is a LARGE commitment, from the interview, the training and after when you are on shift. I am very proud to be a Special and it is one of the best experiences. For the interview, they allow you 10 mins before to plan your answers to the questions (they also allow extra time/ coloured paper if you have any additional needs). The fitness test is more mind over matter, and you only have to run to 5.4 on the beep test. Try not to stress about it too much, you can redo it if needs be (same with the interview). The health screening was also simple, the drugs test is a small part of your hair cut, and your mouth swabbed. The hearing and sight test were over within minutes.

Training, Teamwork and Learning on the Job

The initial training provided by Avon and Somerset Police (ASP) is limited to only 6 weekends, so be prepared to feel as though you are not ready when you start but speak with your tutor and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you are willing to get stuck in, then your team will have no complaints. The training I believe is now changing to 10 weekends. The training was great fun, and you make some very good connections with other people.

I trained along a wide range of people, some who had full time jobs and wanted to do something else alongside. Others had been officers before and wanted to come back without the shift pattens. Some didn’t have A levels so were using this as a way to be involved in policing and hopefully join full time after. Some worked in police departments and wanted to see another side of policing. Most people were doing it as a try before you buy. Some workplaces have signed up to allow paid time off to people who are specials, allowing them more opportunities to go on shift.  There were no differences in motivation or background between me and other recruits, and everyone seemed just as motivated to be there. People were always willing to help one another when they got stuck. You grow some lovely bonds with people.

Applying Classroom Knowledge to Real Situations

The Professional Policing Degree has helped me with understanding our powers and offences. It gives you a foundation, but there is still so much to learn when you become an officer. The training provided by ASP for special’s is more practical, it teaches you ways to defend yourself, how to write reports, some of the offences and what powers officers have. Alongside uni you learn a lot, and I feel as though you really start learning on the job.  Most areas you learn quick on the job, after doing it for some time you realise jobs are very similar in the sense of how you deal with it (questions asked/ actions taken) and it just changes with the situation. I found that I knew the caution very well when I started but I also felt initially overwhelmed. It’s not until you get to doing an actual job that you really start learning (I am a visual learner though).

Looking Ahead

When I graduate, I hope to join back to Patchway Team 4 Response, as I have grown a very good bond with my team (I have around 650 hours since the start of the year, I average around 4-6 shifts a set, a set is 6 shifts – so I’m in a lot). I have really enjoyed response despite how stressful the job is (the paperwork is also a lot). I’m hoping to get my independent patrol status before I join as I will then join on a higher pay bracket (I’m currently finishing tier 2, on tier 3, after tier 3 you get your independence). I can apply to join full-time in January as they go off predicted grades, but you have to graduate the same year.

For now, I wish to stay in response as I am very much enjoying it. I then think I want to join firearms. I don’t have much of an interest in traffic and CID is something I will investigate when I’m older. I enjoy going out on the initial jobs and I hope to keep developing as an officer and gain as many skills as I can. I really hope to get response and taser trained.

Advice for Future Applicants

If you are wanting to join the police or are not sure if you should this is defiantly something to consider. It’s an amazing opportunity and allows you to understand policing and put what you have learnt to good use. It also looks good on your CV and will allow your connections to be able to see what route you really wish to follow. If specialling seems too much, then I definitely recommend signing up for a ride along. This will allow you to see policing before you even apply to be a special. I do not regret my decision at all; it’s defiantly a big commitment but it has been worth it. I have seen myself grow as a person and I am very proud of some of the jobs I have done.

This role has also shown me how much the police actually deal with. Response officers not only go to the 999 calls, but they also carry case files that they need to progress with witness statements, interviews and more. It’s defiantly a hard going job with not only the job being demanding but the workload to. The number of officers does not meet the demand, so if police take longer to get to jobs than first thought its due to the this and officers being swept off their feet. It’s definitely a rewarding job and the bond you build with your team is very strong. There’s a lot more to policing then just officers in uniform driving around.

We would like to thank Trinni, Cece and Harvey for their honest and inspiring look at student life on the PPD at UWE Bristol during this series.

Anyone interested in applying for the PPD can find out more information here

If you are also interested in joining the Special Constabulary, you can find out more information here

Editorial Team

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer) and Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer).

If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.ac.uk

Supporting the Wellbeing of Investigators week of action 2025

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

A consistent finding in policing research is that investigators report some of the lowest levels of wellbeing, highest levels of emotional fatigue, and elevated risks of vicarious trauma compared with other policing roles (Police Federation, 2020).

This week’s Wellbeing of Investigators Week of Action provides both a moment for reflection and an opportunity to examine the organisational, cultural and emotional pressures experienced by investigators across policing. Coordinated by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) Recruitment, Retention and Wellbeing of Investigators Portfolio, the week has brought together leaders, investigators and academics to explore challenges that have long been acknowledged, yet persistently under-addressed.

Supported by the updated Investigator Wellbeing Toolkit, the work of the Investigator Wellbeing Group is vital to build on decades of awareness and ensure that improvements are made at the pace needed.

Understanding the Demands and the Costs

As a career investigator, I have experienced the full spectrum of investigative pressures from volume and priority crime up to PIP3 Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and PIP4 Strategic Investigator. Much of my career centred on major and complex investigations, including leading homicide and national high-profile investigations into child sexual exploitation and organised crime. These were testing environments but also hugely rewarding.

These roles shaped me professionally, but they also came with significant personal impact. Like many investigators, I missed family birthdays, school events and milestones. Long deployments away from home were not uncommon. Such sacrifices that come with ‘the job’, are rarely acknowledged, yet they intensify emotional burdens that investigators accumulate over time.

Academic research consistently shows the cumulative effect of such strain. Investigators experience secondary traumatic stress, particularly when investigating rape, child sexual exploitation and abuse (Foley et al., 2024). Emotional labour and chronic exposure to interviewing victims and viewing distressing material, all reduce psychological energy and increase vulnerability to burnout. These pressures are compounded by a policing culture that historically rewards endurance and “getting on with it” (Loftus and Holdaway, 2013), even when doing so jeopardises wellbeing, impairs judgement and decision-making (Cook and Tattersall, 2014).

The Work That Never Switches Off

My personal experience was that one of the most persistent challenges is the inability to mentally switch-off. Even after leaving work, investigative threads replay in the mind as you go over key evidence and unanswered questions searching for that vital break-through. On long-running harder to solve cases, I would routinely keep a notepad by my bed, as I would wake up with flashes of inspiration that needed to be captured before I could nod back off to sleep.

While dedication is essential, research by McLean, Meakins and White (2022) shows that cognitive overload and fatigue impair decision-making, reduce investigative accuracy and increase risk-taking. Research also cautions on the structure of investigative work, long unsociable hours, high-risk and often under-resourced teams, (James et al., 2025) which can leave investigators feeling like rest is a luxury rather than a necessity.

Wellbeing literature emphasises the critical role of recovery in sustaining performance in high-risk roles (Hope, 2016). Each investigator must find what works for themselves, but such practices are only fully effective when embedded within supportive organisational cultures. For me, watching my children’s sporting achievements, running and (who would have thought) gardening became rare moments of mental relief, providing space to decompress and recalibrate.

Victims, Moral Injury and Emotional Weight

Investigators carry a profound responsibility towards victims and their families. In many cases, they are the voice and the person they rely on to reveal the truth and achieve justice. The emotional weight of supporting victims and families whilst remaining professional and objective can be considerable, especially on long-running hard to solve cases. Blumberg et al. (2020, p.1) argue that investigators can then also experience psychological distress resulting from “the cost of caring” by feeling unable to reduce the suffering experienced by others. Investigators carry their stories with them long after the investigation concludes and this is a major reason that wellbeing support is so vital.

Organisational pressures

Organisational demands such as tight time frames, high case volumes and pressure to ‘wrap up’ all influence investigative decision-making ((McLean, Meakins and White, 2022). This can push investigators into a more cursory investigative mindset where they are prevented from upholding their own professional values (Blumberg et al., 2020). This is central to why investigator wellbeing requires more than simply individual resilience.

Team Culture and Leadership

No SIO can shoulder the responsibility of an investigation alone. Evidence shows that effective leadership and psychological safety (meaning the confidence to raise concerns, admit uncertainty and seek support), significantly enhance wellbeing and team performance (Phythian et al., 2023). In practice, however, as James, Cox and Carr (2025, p.1) have found, investigative teams still operate within a culture in which “high workloads, stress, and skills shortages” impact on their capacity and capability. 

The work of the National SIO Wellbeing Group also reflects a growing recognition that the unique pressures faced by senior investigators require dedicated support. The group acts as a peer forum for confidential discussion, challenge and shared learning, with similarities to the NCA’s National SIO Adviser mentorship role. While a positive step, the groups very existence also highlights the continued gaps in organisational design, investment and support.

Preparing the Next Generation of Investigators

At UWE Bristol, the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police plays a crucial role in preparing future detectives for both the operational and human challenges of investigative work.

The programme combines academic learning with professional practice, introducing student officers to concepts such as reflective practice, emotional resilience, trauma exposure, and the psychology of decision-making. It also focuses heavily on trauma-informed approaches, inclusive investigatory practice and acting in a procedurally just way – both in their engagement with members of the local community, as well as interactions with their peers.  

Taught by a team of academics from a range of professional backgrounds, it encourages critical engagement with the realities of policing, the pressures that contribute to poor wellbeing as well as tools for self-management and ownership.

Moving forwards

The “Wellbeing of Investigators Week of Action” represents significant progress under the leadership of ACC Martin Brunning, who I first met as an SIO colleague on a cross-border serial killer investigation. I have no doubt that having walked the path, Martin will do his upmost to deliver sustainable change and embed wellbeing as a core component of investigative practice. Many of the challenges for investigators wellbeing are structural rather than individual, and I wish him and the working group all the very best.

Reflecting on my own investigative career, I am proud of the investigators and teams I worked alongside and the justice we collectively achieved. For me though, it was not until I walked out of the office for the last time, and stopped investigating, that I came to realise how much I had internalised and normalised the stresses of the job.

My message to those still investigating is “keep persevering “as it is a fantastic career but remember that resilience is not about running on empty. It is about knowing when to stop, recharge and go again!

References

Blumberg, D. M., Papazoglou, K., and Schlosser, M. D. (2020). Organizational Solutions to the Moral Risks of Policing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [online]. 17(20. [Accessed 10 November 2025]. 

Cook and Tattersall (2014). Blackstone’s Senior Investigating Officers’ Handbook. 3rd Ed. Oxford University Press. 

Hope, L. (2016). Evaluating the effects of stress and fatigue on police officer response and recall: A challenge for research, training, practice and policy. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 5(3), pp. 239–245.

James, A., Cox, C., and Carr, R. (2025). Caseloads, culture, and capacity: rethinking investigative policing [online]. Policing & Society, pp. 1–22 [Accessed 12 November 2025].

James, A., Rogers, C., Turner, J. and Silverstone, D. (2025). Helping the police with their inquiries: improving investigator resilience and capacity in England and Wales [online]. Available from: https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/18899/1/Helping%20the%20police%20with%20their%20enquiries.pdf [Accessed 12 November 2025].

Loftus, B. and Holdaway, S. (2013) Police culture in a changing world. Criminology & criminal justice [online]. 13 (1) p.119–120. [Accessed 10 November 2025].

McLean, F., Meakins, A. and White, E. (2022). College of Policing. Conducting effective investigations: Rapid evidence assessment [online]. Available from:  https://assets.college.police.uk/s3fs-public/2022-07/Conducting-effective-investigations-rapid-evidence-assessment.pdf [Accessed 11 November 2025].

National Police Chiefs Council. 2025. Wellbeing of investigators toolkit. Available from: [Accessed 6 November 2025].

Police Federation (2020). Detectives in Crisis: Findings from the Police Federation Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey 2020. Available from: https://www.polfed.org/media/16610/detectives-in-crisis.pdf [Accessed 11 November 2025].

Phythian, R., Birdsall, N., Kirby, S., Cooper, E., Posner, Z., & Boulton, L. (2023). Organisational and individual perspectives of police wellbeing in England and Wales. Police Journal (Chichester), 96(1), pp. 128–152.

Editorial Team

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer) and Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer).

If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.ac.uk

Inside the Professional Policing Degree & Special Constabulary

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

In this second blog of our series spotlighting the experiences of students on UWE Bristol’s Professional Policing Degree (PPD), we share the journey of Cece Delaney-Melville. From discovering an interest in policing during her A-levels to balancing her studies with volunteering as a Special Constable with Avon and Somerset Police, Cece offers a personal insight into the challenges, rewards, and opportunities of taking this path. Over to Cece…

Introduction to Policing

In A-levels I studied criminology, psychology, and law, this is what sparked my interest within policing.

I did not always know that I wanted to pursue a career in policing. My father was a firefighter, which first inspired my interest in a role that involved helping others, although I knew that path was not the right one for me. My interest in policing developed further once I began my studies, as I gained a deeper understanding of the various aspects of the role and the many ways in which officers support the community. Additionally, the variety and unpredictability of each day in policing have only strengthened my passion for pursuing this career.  It has widened my knowledge to the different thing policing is involved in and the many roles there are within policing.

Discovering the Special Constabulary

I was not aware of this opportunity at the start. Our Programme Leader Christian informed me within the first week of the PPD and highlighted the benefits of joining as a Special Constable. After learning more about it, I was immediately keen to apply.

What motivated me was the valuable experience I would gain and how this would complement my degree. Becoming a Special Constable allows me to apply the knowledge from my studies to real-life situations, as well as bring practical insights from policing back into my academic work. It also provides me with invaluable first-hand experience of the role, giving me a clear understanding of what to expect when I join the police full time.

Application and Recruitment Process

In relation to the UK National Sift process, I found this stage straightforward, it was easy to do, and you just answer the questions as you believe.

The online application was straightforward. However, the interview was slightly stressful, but this is normal like any other interview you go to you would be nervous. You are given a range of questions and topics you will discuss within the interview prior to the day. The best thing you can do is answer the questions as you would in the interviews and memorise your answers. On the day of the interview, you will be given 10-15 minutes to write down any notes you have on flashcards to jog your memory. For the health screening you will be asked to attend the HQ where they will take your fingerprints a hair sample to test for drugs and you will be weighed, measured and asked basic health questions. Additionally, you will do a hearing and an eye test. The ladies who did my health screening for me where lovely and helpful so do not worry! And finally, the bleep test! I was nervous about this due to the fact it was a pass or fail assessment however it is only 3.7, which is basically a light jog!

Training Experience

My training cohort had 16 people, and these weekends were really fun and informative. The training stretched across 7 weekends. The first was an introduction weekend where you received your uniform and laptop making it feel all a bit more real.  Then the rest of the weekends were grouped into learning the National Decision Model (NDM) and values of the force, legislation, first aid, policing roads, and PPST which is where you get to use your batons and learn take downs and other tactics. This is a really fun weekend, and I recommended you book to stay at the HQ! Then finally your graduation weekend!

The people I trained with were from many walks of life. I was one of the youngest and the only university student. However, other people had full time jobs such as a neuroscientist, comms operators, BT workers, paramedics and lots more.

There were different motivators for everyone. Some did it as they always wanted to be an officer but their career took them elsewhere so this was something they could do alongside working, however a lot of people used the specials as a stepping stone to join the police full time.

Support from the PPD Degree

The PPD has helped me a lot with being a special. The biggest thing is helping me understand the people I meet out on duty, the theories you will learn in this degree are extremely relevant.

The training provided by the force is short and sweet and you may feel like you’re not really ready to go out and start policing (I know I did) but that’s where the degree will help you. The in-depth discussions and teaching that is provided at university will help you feel more confident.

First Shifts and Challenges

I did not feel prepared on my first shift, and this is completely normal! You are doing something you’ve never done before. However, I feel as though I am quite a sociable person so felt like I would be prepared to speak with members of the public although I do not think anything will prepare you for your first rude or quite aggressive encounters you can have with the members of the public and how you deal with those in a professional manner. You must remember that sometimes you will deal with people who are having the worst day of their lives, and you must show a level of respect and empathy towards them even if they have not been pleasant to you.

Future Career Aspirations

I plan to do some travelling once I leave university and then join Hampshire Constabulary as its closer to home for me and therefore also me to save some money for the future. However, in the future I would like to transfer back to Avon and Somerset.

I am open to specialise in a particular area although not sure what yet. However, I am really enjoying being a response officer at the moment. In the police you also have the opportunity to do attachments with specific areas within the force. This is good as you can almost try before you buy. I am hoping to become a full-time officer.

Advice for Future Specials

My advice would be to do it!

You are only required to do 16 hours a month which isn’t a lot and trust me you will want to do more than this anyway! They are extremely flexible for students who go home for university, as long as you make up the minimum hours within the year it doesn’t matter. It can be quite a daunting experience and quite long winded through the application stages but as soon as you start you will love it. Additionally, there is such a big support system, and if you are struggling or need help with anything there a people there to help you! I smashed my phone on the first day of training and I had a new one the next week so don’t worry about anything.

The regulars welcome Special’s with open arms as they need every set of hands they can get so don’t be worried about that. And don’t worry if you make a mistake because YOU WILL and that’s okay, everyone is understanding and will help you every step of the way.

I have honestly gained a huge respect for the police and what they do, it can be an incredibly stressful and risky job at times but is extremely rewarding. They do so much and are there to help everyone.

We look forward to further insights from Trinni Dagger in the final blog of this series.

Anyone interested in applying for the PPD can find out more information here

If you are also interested in joining the Special Constabulary, you can find out more information here

Editorial Team

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer) and Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer).

If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.ac.uk

A New Blog Series from UWE Bristol: Inside the Professional Policing Degree & Special Constabulary

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

Reflecting the diversity of the Policing Programmes on offer at UWE Bristol, in this new blog series we will hear from three professional policing students who have recently entered the final year of their degree programme. They reflect on their experiences studying on the Professional Policing Degree (PPD) and share their journeys through the successful application process to become Special Constables with Avon and Somerset Police (ASP).

They discuss what inspired them to join the PPD and take on the role of Special Constables, offering insights into each stage of the application process, from the online National Sift questionnaire to the medical assessments, fitness tests, vetting procedures, and the initial training delivered by ASP.

The students were also invited to compare their university education with the practical training provided by the force, exploring the relationship between academic theory and real-world policing practice. Finally, they share their individual reflections, and career aspirations for the future.

This blog series offers a personal and informative look into the student experience on the PPD and highlights the graduate outcomes that can emerge from the programme.

In this first of the series we hear from Harvey Rogers

Ever since I was young, I have always had an interest in the police and believe that there is no job better in the world. As soon as I found out there was a Professional Policing Degree Programme (PPD), there was no looking back. All throughout my childhood I have always wanted to join the firearms unit in the police and choosing the PPD programme was the first step to achieving that dream. The academic side of the course has been brilliant with helping my understanding of the police and when I am out responding to 999 calls as a Special Constable.

When I started my first year on the PPD course I didn’t even know the Special Constabulary existed! As soon as I found out I could do it alongside my academic learning at UWE I thought it would be a no brainer. I was being told stories about other people’s experiences with the Specials by others on the PPD course and thought it sounded amazing. When applying, one of the first stages to complete is the UK National Sift Process, which involves a Situational Judgement Test (SJT) and Behaviour Style Questions (BSQ), and is designed to assess whether applicants possess the core values and competencies required for policing. This stage was quite straightforward as the aim is to be as trueful to yourself as possible and to see whether you would be a great fit for the police.

After we completed this stage, we had a familiarisation event at Bridgwater Police Centre about the role we have applied for and what we can expect to happen next in the application process. We then had an interview with two police officers a few weeks after which were based on the core values of the police and examples of when we used the National Decision Model (NDM) and our real-life experiences. In my interview I mentioned that I was studying on the PPD programme, and they were really pleased to see young people having an interest in joining the police and agreed that doing it alongside my studies was a great idea. I then heard that I had passed my interview which then led me on to my health screening appointment, which is where I had my fingerprints taken, hair samples for drug testing and a few questions from the nurse at Occupational Health about my health and wellbeing. I then got invited to complete the bleep test which at the time was 5.2 but has now been decreased to 3.7. This was to test officer’s fitness levels which is a key part of the role when joining the police. After I had completed this, my application process had finished, and I was now ready to undertake my training.

The training was split up into 6 weekends (Saturday and Sunday every fortnight) which has now been increased up to 10 weekends. During our time at training school, we learnt key legislation in the classroom, Personal Protective Safety training (PPST) which is where we learn how to apply handcuffs, ASP and PAVA (pepper spray) correctly. We also had weekends where we were learning how to use all of our other kit such as airwave (radio), body worn camera and the key systems on our force laptop and phones and plenty of scenarios where we had to use our powers correctly which we had learnt over the 6 modules. A lot of this comes second nature to students on the PPD course which is brilliant as it also refreshed my memory with a lot of other key legislation.

Training school was great fun with a few evenings out to the pub as well as also practicing techniques we had learnt on our PPST weekends. Personally, my group was an amazing group and felt like a with very like-minded people who also had interests in joining the police alongside their full-time jobs. It was a great mix of students and young adults who were doing it alongside their university courses and their full-time jobs. Everyone had the same motivation to go out there and help protect the public and to improve the relationship between the public and the police with normal working people to help bridge the gap between.

The PPD programme has definitely given me a strong foundation for my role as a Special Constable especially if you want to get a feel for real life policing before applying to become a full-time police officer. The quality and depth of the university education and the in-force training by Avon and Somerset Police were both amazing, including many links to the College of Policing. I felt well prepared when talking around areas of stop and search and the powers involved as well as the custody process when taking a prisoner after they have been arrested. There are many areas where you learn quickly on the job which also can be the best times to learn as these were able to stick in my head.

Now I am going into my final year of the PPD I am looking at applying to become a full-time police officer in Avon and Somerset and have many areas of interest where I would like to specialise in such as Armed Response Unit or any of the Special Ops teams. Over the next few years, I would like to get to grounds with the job role and get as much experience as I can out on the front line before I look to specialise or go for a promotion as a sergeant.

My advice for other PPD students would be to sign up to become a Special Constable I feel like it was such a good decision to actually see whether I would actually like the job before I go full-time and feel it’s such a good way to try before you buy type of thing. It is also great for remembering legislation for uni assignments and being able to put real life scenarios down on paper. The experience of becoming a Special Constable has only made my desire to join the police even higher!

Our thanks to Harvey and we look forward to blogging further insights from Cece Delaney-Melville in the next of this series.

Anyone interested in applying for the PPD at UWE Bristol can find out more information here

If you are also interested in joining the Special Constabulary, you can find out more information here

Editorial Team

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer) and Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer).

If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.ac.uk

The Fraying Thin Blue Line

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

Police officers are routinely exposed to trauma and pressure, but as this latest UWE Policing blog by Dr Paul Gavin and Dr Cody Porter makes clear, it is the organisational stressors that are doing the deepest harm. We are grateful for their new research insights that highlight a workforce struggling with burnout, secondary trauma and continued stigma around seeking help. Their findings make for uncomfortable reading, and emphasise that wellbeing cannot be a tick box exercise and must be led with genuine focus from the top. Over to Paul and Cody…

The Fraying Thin Blue Line: The Mental Health Struggles of Police Officers in the UK and Ireland

Police officers encounter a wide range of occupational stressors on a daily basis, and this is having a damaging effect on their mental health. In recent years, an increasing number of police officers have been signed off work due to declining mental health.  Research by Dr Paul Gavin and Dr Cody Porter at UWE Bristol has examined the mental health of police officers throughout the UK and in Ireland.  This blog piece shares some of their findings. The message is clear: police officers on both sides of the Irish Sea are struggling with their mental health, and while the causes are familiar, the solutions require cultural and structural change within policing.

To put it bluntly, being a police officer is a stressful job. It means that you are at risk of encountering violence, trauma, and high-pressure situations on an almost daily basis.  These are what we refer to as operational stressors – they relate to the day-to-day nature of policing, and they can have a serious impact on the mental health of police officers. In fact, it is estimated that a police officer will encounter between 400 to 600 traumatic incidents during an average career, compared with the three to four traumatic events typically thought to be experienced by the public. However, many police officers view these operational stressors as part of the job, and therefore, they can often cope with and manage the stress that comes with them. Organisational stressors are another matter. These are often related to the administrative nature of police work and include excessive workload, poor pay and conditions, a culture of bullying and sexism, a poor working environment and a lack of a work / life balance. These organisational stressors are often much more damaging to the mental health of police officers than the operational stressors they experience.

Findings from this research

54 police officers from the UK (but the vast majority were from England and Wales) and 98 police officers from the Republic of Ireland took part in the survey took part in an online survey to investigate police perceptions of mental health.

Findings from the UK

Participants revealed that police officers were struggling under the weight and pressures of their job. Exposure to violence and trauma were listed throughout the responses, with many participants writing that they were suffering from some form of PTSD. They described being ‘devoid of emotion’ and being ‘desensitized to most things that most people would find shocking’.    Secondary trauma was described as having an impact on mental health, with one participant writing that they had to ‘relive other victims’ pain and hearing accounts given by victims of the most horrific crimes in great detail every day’.

Participants were also impacted by a lack of support and appreciation from senior managers, a poor work/life balance, an ever-increasing workload and a culture of bullying. One participant wrote that being a police officer was a job where ‘you are just expected to get on with it and are expected to know everything even if it’s not something you have dealt with before’. Several referred to feeling burned out, with one writing ‘I am running completely on empty’. Those who stood up to bullying and harassment in the workplace were subsequently isolated and unsupported by their managers.

Although support is available to police officers through Employee Assistance Programmes, many viewed these as nothing more than a ‘box-ticking exercise’. There is also a substantial stigma associated with seeking help for one’s mental health, One participant wrote that ‘there is a level of stigma attached to asking for help within the police which may stop people getting the help they need’. For those who do seek help, this may negatively impact their relationships with colleagues and on their career. On this issue one participant wrote that‘Showing any signs of weakness has an effect on how your team view you. They may not want to be crewed with you if you’re honest about the way you feel as they don’t see you as competent’.

Findings from the Republic of Ireland

Members of An Garda Siochana (the Irish police force) reported a similar experience in terms of exposure to violence and traumatic events, with participants describing the psychological impact of such exposure as both ‘significant’ and ‘huge’.. There was also a very human cost to such traumatic exposure, and this was deeply felt by participants with one writing that ‘I can still hear the screams of that mother. I see her face in my dreams’. 

Participants, regardless of their age, gender, rank, or length of service, claimed that bullying was rife within the organisation and that management provided very little support in such cases. There was also a perceived lack of managerial support when it came to excessive workload. Participants explained how these issues resulted in their feeling stressed, that work was becoming overwhelming and that they were now drowning in paperwork. Overall, this has had a negative impact on police morale, with one writing that ‘Morale is as low as it can get. Staff are leaving in their droves. They don’t feel valued. They are overworked. There are not enough officers. Everyone is exhausted’.

Irish police officers reported barriers to seeking support, including stigma within the organisation and the potentially negative impact that it could have on their career. For instance, one participant wrote that mental health was ‘a taboo subject due to the nature of the job, a sense of ‘that’s what you signed up for so get on with it’ due to years of this being the norm’, Another wrote that the career impact of seeking support for ones mental health ranged ‘being held back in your career’ to your career coming to ‘a dead end’.

What needs to change?

The findings of this research shows that police officers are working under immense pressure and that this is having a negative impact on their mental health. Operational stressors are an unavoidable part of the policing role, and exposure to violence and trauma in policing are parts of the job that will not change. Organisational stressors, such as poor managerial support, excessive workloads, and toxic workplace cultures, are what are proving most damaging. The impacts of these stressors are clear and are damaging to policing: low morale, burnout, and a workforce reluctant to seek help for fear of stigma or career repercussions.

If policing is to remain effective and sustainable, this culture must change. Support must be more than a box-ticking exercise. It needs to be embedded in everyday practice, led from the top, and genuinely focused on officer wellbeing. That means having open conversations about mental health, robust protections against workplace bullying, and systems that encourage – not punish – help-seeking. The work is challenging and will require both cultural and structural change within policing. Without such change, the cost will continue to be borne not only by the officers themselves, but also by the communities they serve.

Editorial Team

The team are grateful to Dr Gavin and Dr Porter for bringing these voices to the fore, and for prompting further debate that the profession urgently needs to have.

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer) and Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer).

If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.ac.uk

UWE Policing Book Club: Second Edition.

Author claudiamccready | Posted on

With the traditional academic term over and the summer holidays upon most of us, now feels like a fitting time to share some further recommendations from the UWE Bristol Policing Team. From a good old-fashioned ‘whodunnit’ to a psychological classic, or a perhaps a non-fiction based on science and nature – there is something for everyone.

Join Eve, Ian, and Stephen in their recommendations below and enjoy!

Eve Smietanko recommends ‘The Fury’, by Alex Michaelides.

If you’re like me and struggle to read crime fiction for the frustrating inaccuracies but miss the thrill of a whodunnit, then this is the book for you. Set on a small Greek island, several friends meet, and one, unsurprisingly is murdered. A kind of modern Agatha Chrisie with a twist begins to unfold.  Learning more about each of the characters and the relationships between them, you see that they are far messier and more complicated than appears on the surface. The story is told through the perspective of one of the characters, but as he explains at the beginning – can you trust the storyteller? Through the classic twists and turns of crime fiction you guess and second guess who the culprit is. Most satisfyingly for me, due to the remote and somewhat idyllic setting, there are no police in sight! This is a murder that has to be solved by the people involved who are stuck on an island knowing one of them guilty.

For anyone who has been out of the habit of reading for a while or finds it difficult to get stuck in, this is a great book to start with. It is easy to read and has cliffhangers and short chapters that leaving you thinking ‘oh I’ll just read one more’. This is also a great one for those of us who partake in ‘reading masochism’ – not the devouring of smutty novels I hasten to add, but the insistence of reading difficult, high-brow tomes for an ego boost rather than enjoyment! There’s a lesson for everyone in the novel whether it be a reminder that reading really can be for pleasure or whether it’s to reconsider notions of perspective, trust and truth.

Ian Lowe recommends ‘Nexus’, by Yuval Noah Harai.

Earlier this year I finished reading Nexus by YNH. This is the third book I have read by the author, and to suggest each one has changed my perspective on the way I look at the world would be an understatement. I would strongly recommend all four of his books, especially Sapiens.   

Nexus is a look at information systems and how humans have shared and created information throughout history. Starting with the spoken word, stories. Then the first giant breakthrough, written words / text and the creation of documents, which at the start meant clay tablets, then papyrus paper. Through books, which to start with meant religious texts (although there is a lot more to it than this). And the second world changing breakthrough. The printing press, which took production of texts like the bible from single figures per year to tens of thousands. Think how many people you can influence now you have the means to create that number if identical texts?

Once humans reached this level of information producing technology the emphasis changes to information and data control. ‘He who has control of the information controls the world’. If you don’t believe me, well read the book. But also look at mainstream media, social media, the rise in fake news. Pretty much all media in the USA is owned by two companies for example. The use of information and its manipulation to control, persuade or change people’s opinions. 

The book ends with a look at Artificial Intelligence (AI), the good, the bad, and the downright scary. How AI is the next revolution in information and data sharing and control. What AI can currently do, and trust me it is more than you realize, and where it is possibly going.

I leave you with a quote from Jerry Seinfeld that I think YNH would appreciate:

‘We’re smart enough to invent AI, dumb enough to need it and so stupid we can’t figure out if we did the right thing’.

Stephen Brown recommends ‘Crime and Punishment’, by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

As an avid reader, who devours both fiction and non-fiction I would recommend, Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” to those in the criminological field.  This is a profound psychological novel set in 1860s St. Petersburg. The story centres around, Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, who is an impoverished former legal student who suffers from a mental health crisis, or maybe it was always there.  He has a theory that humanitarian ends justify evil and indeed tests this hypothesis by committing a heinous crime. 

The book does paint a picture of mental health, abject poverty, misfortune and provides a conundrum of trust and scepticism.  Perhaps, the biggest take away is the profound dive into someone’s mind that clearly focusses on ‘malice aforethought’ and the ‘guilty mind’ (Mens Rea).  This is manifested by his unpredictable behaviour which is clearly determined by his conscience and subsequent paranoia that are interspersed with moments of clarity, although these a few and far between. 

In summation the book compounds how Raskolnikov struggles with his conscience and the psychological torment of his actions.  Consequently, during a moment of clarity, he confesses his guilt and accepts his punishment.  The novel delves deeply into themes of morality, guilt, and redemption and this is why I would recommend it.  Reader beware as it is not an easy read. 

Editorial Team

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Senior Lecturer) & Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer).

If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.ac.uk

Please feel free to leave a comment below which will be shared with the contributors.

A Lifetime in Communication – From Policing to the Page

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

In this week’s UWE Bristol Policing Blog, we are delighted to feature a special Q&A with Les King, retired police officer, probation officer, university lecturer, and now two-time author. Les’s latest book, How to Strangle a Jelly, brings together a lifetime of experience and insight into the professional and human skill of communication.

Having had the privilege of working with Les earlier in my policing career, I saw first-hand how his natural style of communication could put people at ease, even in the most challenging situations.

In this blog, Les shares the story behind the book’s unusual title, reflects on the role of communication in modern policing and education, and offers practical wisdom for those both new to the job and decades in.

Les, congratulations on the release of How to Strangle a Jelly! For those unfamiliar with the title, could you tell us where the inspiration for the book, and where its unique name came from?

During a police promotion board for sergeant, one of the tests was to see if you could stand and talk for 3 minutes completely off the cuff on a subject they chose. My subject was ‘How to Strangle a Jelly,’ hence inspiration for the title of the book. I passed the test but not the promotion board!

You’ve had a remarkable 50-year career across policing, probation and University lecturing. Looking back, what first drew you to a career in public service, and how did communication play a role in that journey?

I was brought up in the country and spent a lot of time in the local pub. I learnt from a young age how to talk to people and the art of repartee. I developed a natural confidence in dealing with adults and knew I could use these talents in the police as well as earn a steady wage.

In How to Strangle a Jelly, you reflect on everything from courtroom drama to delivering wedding speeches. Were there any stories or moments you found particularly difficult, or especially rewarding to write about?

I enjoyed recounting everything in the book. However, one difficult bit was the example of talking to a group of parents who had all suffered the bereavement of losing a baby, who spoke about their poor experience of how the police dealt with it insensitively. It brought back my own experience of dealing with a cot death on a New Year’s Day. A tragic experience I shall never forget.

One of the standout themes of the book is the emotional range of communication—how it can console, persuade, entertain, and protect. Have your views on the importance of communication changed over the years, or have they simply deepened?

My opinion over the years has deepened as to the importance of communications, both written but especially verbal. In my opinion, the best cops and best detectives are first and foremost the best communicators in talking to people, putting them at their ease, obtaining information and then translating it into evidence.

I particularly enjoyed your reflections on briefing and leadership, especially the lesson from your sergeants’ course. How do you think briefing and command communication have changed in modern policing?

I say in the book, ‘You don’t have to be a leader to be a good communicator, but to be a good leader, you must be a good communicator.’

That has always been true. However, the world of 24/7 online and dynamic digital recording and communications has now made communicating even more challenging for everyone than relying purely upon the old methods of personal face to face briefings.

You also share tools and models in the book, especially in the chapters on investigative interviewing and professional standards. What prompted you to include those more structured techniques alongside your personal stories?

I am a pragmatist by nature and thrive on a bit ad-libbing and ad hoc wit and repartee. However, more complex problems require more sophisticated methods to resolve, and I believe implicitly in tried and tested theoretical models, especially when it comes to formal interviewing, counselling or de-briefing, because they work, so use them like a crutch!

You end the book with a moment of reflection on what makes a great communicator. If you had to distil that into one piece of advice for someone starting out on one of our policing programmes today, what would it be?

Use empathy and treat everyone with respect, even those who do not show respect to you.

You have now written two books. What motivated you to start writing, and how has your approach evolved between the first and this latest publication?

I started writing my first book Cornflakes with Whisky (my autobiography of policing) after taking a degree and just wanted freedom to write without referencing! I write as I speak, from the heart and both books are written in this style so no differences really.

Having taught at university level, you clearly care deeply about how we engage learners. What’s your take on the current state of communication in teaching—especially in professional policing education?

Policing is a practical, hands-on job but requires great skills, knowledge and technical ability. As such it will always require a teaching approach that reflects both strong academic research and learning combined with the ability to translate this into policing practice from those who have “walked the talk” and done the job. I believe this model exists in most policing programmes. Long may it last!

Finally, if you could revisit one moment in your career, not to change it, but to experience it again, what would it be and why?

The camaraderie, the craic and the humour in policing – I miss it dreadfully; hence, I need to write about it!

Cornflakes with Whisky and How to Strangle a Jelly by Les King. Available from Amazon  

Editorial Comment

Les’s point about the challenges of digital communication was picked up on by one of the editorial team. They had read about the recent launch of the Skills 4 Living initiative in Greater Manchester, designed to help Gen Z students develop soft skills like empathy and effective communication. Backed by UNESCO partner Higher Health, Mayor Andy Burnham, and local universities, the programme supports young people to enhance workplace interactions and tackle mental health challenges such as anxiety and social isolation. While Gen Z are confident online, experts note many still find face-to-face communication difficult. You can read more here

Editorial Team

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer) and Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer).

If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.ac.uk

PCDA Students go International: PC’s Kennedy Marlow and Fay Workman Reflect on International Project Week in Germany

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

Each year, a unique opportunity brings together police students and lecturers from across Europe for a week of international collaboration and learning. This year, UWE Bristol Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) students Kennedy Marlow and Fay Workman from Avon and Somerset Police joined 34 fellow attendees from nine European countries at the renowned Rheinland-Pfalz Police Academy in Germany for the International Project Week (IPW), held from 19 -23 May 2025.

Hosted in the scenic southwestern region of Germany, the IPW is more than just an academic exchange, it’s an immersive, hands-on experience that allows officers to compare how policing is practiced across borders. Students are split into six diverse, multinational teams, each led by a final-year German police student. These groups spend the week diving deep into police powers and procedures such as vehicle and identity checks, searches, use of force, culminating in team presentations at the end of the week.

In this blog, Kennedy and Fay share their experiences of the week which offers a fascinating insight into how international collaboration can shape our understanding of good policing, both at home and abroad.

What were your first impressions when you arrived in Germany and met the local officers?

Kennedy: We properly met the other student officers on day one, when we were split into groups. Fay and I split, giving us the best opportunity to mingles and not stick together! My group included four German officers and four others from across Europe. The Germans were incredibly warm and welcoming, and our group gelled faster than you can say “Bratwurst.” Their humour was sharp, their English flawless, and thankfully, their sarcastic Brexit jokes translated perfectly.

Fay: When I first arrived, I was immediately shocked at the grounds of the academy as it was an old air force base, it was such a beautiful place. I was nervous to meet all the other officers from European countries who I was sharing a flat with for the week. After a few hours, we attended a welcome lecture, and I could immediately see how welcoming the German officers were as well as the officers from all the other countries.

Can you describe a typical day during the exchange? What kinds of activities did you take part in?

Fay: So, every day was different. Some days we were doing a few hours of classroom discussion and scenario-based work. This was super interesting as it gave us a chance to compare powers and policies between countries and how we apply them to each scenario.

Other days consisted of visiting their local police station and seeing a training demonstration from the dog handlers, eyeing up their German fleet, having a look at their custody cells and getting to meet their helicopter squadron. We would regularly play sport in the evenings with all the German students and other exchange students, followed by a few beers in their bistro bar, playing drinking games all together.

Kennedy: The morning started early at around 06:30, having to share a shower with four other girls was really survival of the fastest. Breakfast ran until 07:30 and by 08:00 we were in our groups, speaking through scenarios and how each country would use their policy and powers, quickly learning Bulgaria really play by their own rules.

Lunch was like going back to primary school, two options, Veggie and meat. All provided and paid for by the German Academy, even fed steak one lunch!

This day was then followed by an afternoon of trying and testing the German PPE and hand-to-hand combat, showcasing each counties techniques in dealing with restraint and arrests of non-compliant subjects.  It was like a Eurovision of tactical takedowns—minus the glitter, plus a few bruises. I’ve certainly got a few new tricks for the streets of North Bristol.  

Then every evening we came together in the bar on campus and spoke about work, life and everything in between, all powered with the very respectfully priced alcohol served by the loveliest barman.

Are there any policing methods or approaches in Germany that stood out to you?

Kennedy: One of the most eye-opening moments was our visit to the custody centre in Koblenz.

We were shown a few cells, which were incredible basic, a hole in the floor for a toilet, a slab for a bed, no blankets, no cameras in the cells and only one option for food, cheese on bread served with water, made by the inmates at a nearby prison. Later that evening, we chatted with the other students about custody procedures, and when we mentioned the idea of a “constant” (an officer monitoring detainees), the German officers looked genuinely puzzled. It was one of those moments where you realise just how different our systems really are.

Another standout feature was a massive holding cell designed for up to 30 detainees—used after large-scale public order incidents, like football matches. What really surprised us was that the detainees would be left in there together, unsupervised. No officers. Just 30 people, one room, and a lot of tension. It sounded less like a custody suite and more like the start of a very intense reality show.

In complete stark to their very traditional thinking for detainees, the flip side was finding out that the German Academy use VR to simulate situations before going out into the ‘real world’. Clearly very forward thinking in their use of technology. Albeit when I had a go, I felt very motion sick and nearly fell flat on my face.

Fay: The way they deal with mental health stood out the most, they completely took a back seat, there was no such thing as a “constant” at hospital or custody as their health service would take the lead there.  They also would force drink drivers to give blood if they refused blood and this would include being strapped to a bed and taken by force. They also must speak to a prosecutor’s office before entering a property to get permission and are forbidden to do so between 10pm and 6am unless to save life or limb….no 5am arrest attempts.

How did the experience challenge or change your perspective on policing?

Kennedy: One recurring theme throughout the exchange was the reaction I got when explaining what it’s like to be a police officer in the UK. I lost count of how many times I was told I must be mad to sign up for a role where I’m often solo-crewed, unarmed, and without a Taser (for now…). It was a real eye-opener to see how differently policing is structured and perceived across Europe.

That said, the experience gave me a renewed appreciation for British policing. It’s easy to feel worn down in the job and focus on the negatives, but after so many conversations with officers from other countries,

I came back feeling encouraged. We have a lot to be proud of—particularly in areas like legislation, communications, and conflict management.

What was the most memorable moment during your time with the German Police?

Fay: I think for me, it was the day we went for a hike through the most beautiful forests and went to a local BBQ barn restaurant, followed by a party on the final evening to say our goodbyes. It was so sad to say goodbye as I felt we had made genuine friendships with people from all over Europe.

Kennedy: It’s hard to pick just one moment—there were so many positive and genuinely fun experiences throughout the exchange. But what I look back on most fondly are the evenings we spent together as a group. The weather was warm, the company was brilliant, and the atmosphere was relaxed. Most evenings started with a game (or several) of volleyball—something that quickly became a highlight of the trip. Although I was diabolical, the German officers were fiercely competitive but also incredibly welcoming, turns out, my enthusiasm counts for something, even if my hand-eye coordination doesn’t.

Did you notice any significant differences in how the police engage with the public in Germany compared to Avon & Somerset Police?

Kennedy: This one’s a bit tricky to answer, as we didn’t do a traditional “ride along” or observe frontline interactions with the public. However, one thing that really stood out was during the hand-to-hand combat training. Some of the takedown techniques demonstrated by the German students were… let’s just say, bold. I couldn’t imagine using some of them back home—not because they weren’t effective, but because of the potential for injury, especially to the head/neck. In British policing we’re very conscious of the scrutiny around use of force, and rightly so. If someone ends up injured, we’re held accountable, and every action must be justified.

When I explained this to the German officers, they seemed genuinely puzzled. Their response was words to the effect of, “they shouldn’t commit crimes then”. It was a stark reminder of how cultural attitudes and policies shape our policing styles. Where we might tread carefully, they take a more direct approach. Neither is necessarily right or wrong—it just highlighted how differently we’re trained to think.

Fay: There were huge differences. Most of the powers and policies and policing tactics were different. Rules differed, especially with powers of entry in the night-time and how they deal with vulnerable people. The biggest difference though was the availability of PPE equipment and a no single crewing policy for patrol. The UK were the only country unarmed which completely shocked every other country. I felt that the other countries would resort to their firearm in circumstances that UK officers wouldn’t even be drawing their incapacitant spray due to fear of persecution from the public. However, they couldn’t quite believe that we attend jobs, pull over cars and arrest people with no taser or firearm.

How has this experience influenced your development as a student officer?

Fay: Being able to gather an insight into policing from over 10 different countries was completely invaluable and a once in a career opportunity. It helped me realise that although every country does things differently, our way isn’t always the best way, and that there is always something to learn from others. My confidence in my policing grew, having to demonstrate our PPST training, conduct presentations on our powers and policies and live with officers.

Kennedy: It pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible—new country, new people, new ways of thinking. It gave me the chance to reflect on how I approach situations, especially when comparing how other countries manage conflict, communication, and even training. It’s definitely made me a more well-rounded officer and probably a slightly (very, very slightly) better volleyball player too.

The Chief Constable Sarah Crew has thanked both of you for your advocacy of the force. How did it feel to represent UWE and Avon & Somerset Police policing on an international platform?

Kennedy: Honestly, it was a bit surreal—but in the best way. There’s something quite special about sitting in a room full of officers from across Europe and realising you’re one of two officers representing not just A&S and UWE, but the United Kingdom. It was a proud moment.

I was acutely aware of how un-articulate I can be at times and when everyone’s looking at you to be the shining example of the Queen’s English, the pressure is definitely on. Hopefully, when I presented our group work to the lecture theatre, my West Country accent didn’t come through too thick…

Fay: It felt great to have this opportunity, as I know it was a once in a career event. As soon as I was chosen to go, I was very excited and apprehensive on what an international project week would entail. We both did a presentation in front of everyone in the lecture hall on British policing and the differences, which was cool to be able to explain to them how we work.

Would you recommend this experience to other PCDA students, and if so, why?

Fay: Yes of course. Like I said, it’s a once in a career opportunity and gives you insight into policing all over Europe. Its invaluable.

Kennedy: Absolutely—without hesitation. It was one of the best trips I’ve had the privilege of going on. It’s a unique opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, learn from others, and gain a fresh perspective on policing. You’ll come back with new skills, new friends, and a renewed sense of pride in the responsibility and risk we carry as British police officers.

Fay and I had the honour of presenting their Chief with an Avon and Somerset Police plaque as a gesture of gratitude and goodwill. We expressed how thankful we were to be their guests and acknowledged the incredible amount of effort and organisation that went into making the week such a success.

The Editorial Team would like to say a massive thank you and well done to Kennedy & Fay. You are both a credit to your force and we wish you well back out on the streets.

If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.ac.uk

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer); Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer) & Micah Hassell (Senior Lecturer).

Editorial Note: GDPR consent obtained for use of all images posted within this blog.

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