Tag: UWE Bristol

Celebrating Volunteers’ Week: Spotlight on a UWE Lecturer and Special Constable

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

As we mark Volunteers’ Week, a time to recognise the incredible contributions of volunteers across the UK, we’re proud to shine our spotlight on Jack James, a UWE Policing Senior Lecturer, PhD researcher, and long-serving Special Constable. In this Q&A, Jack shares his journey into policing, what volunteering as a Special Constable means to him, and how this unique dual role helps both his academic and operational work. His story is a powerful reminder of the dedication, resilience, and impact of those who give their valuable time to serve their local communities.

You can find out more about Volunteers’ Week here

Volunteers’ Week celebrates the contribution of millions of people across the UK. What does it mean to you personally to volunteer as a Special Constable?

For me, it is a fantastic way of giving something back to the community. It is a volunteering role like no other, in terms of responsibility and risk, however it is something I have loved doing for the last almost 10 years, and it has enabled me to help make a real difference at times.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey into policing — what motivated you to become a Special Constable?

I became a Special Constable to do something that I felt would help make a difference, as well as with the intention of potentially joining the police full time; almost a decade and 7000 operational policing hours later, I am still volunteering and thoroughly enjoy doing so!

What does a typical shift look like for you as a Special Constable?

I love this question, as I think the answer is that there isn’t a ‘typical shift’ per-se. Reflecting on just a couple of my experiences, one shift I have been responding to 999 calls on the dog unit, dealing with anything from theft to disorder and violence; the next I have been on response and involved in a lifesaving intervention with a person in crisis; the next I have been in the middle of hundreds of violent protesters and counter protesters with just a handful of officers (to name just a few examples!). Special Constables often go to the exact same jobs as their regular counterparts.

How do you balance your role as a lecturer with volunteering as a Special Constable? Do the two roles inform each other?

Being a Special Constable is quite unique in terms of work-life balance, as not only do you have a full-time career, but you also have the responsibility of being a warranted police officer. It takes time to strike that balance; however, I find that forces are generally supporting and encouraging of the fact that family, friends and your career come before your voluntary role. I feel that my career and role as a Special Constable complement each other well. I can bring operational learning and practice into the classroom, which I feel is received well by students. I like the phrase ‘pracademic’, as I feel it sums up where I sit quite nicely.

You’re currently doing PhD research into the retention of Special Constables. What sparked your interest in this area, and what are you hoping to uncover?

When I started to explore volunteering in policing as a research area a couple of years ago, I was shocked to discover just how much of a significant and sustained decline in Special Constables there had been, and continues to be, since it’s height in 2012. The loss of ~14,000 officers (Home Office, 2025) seemed to me like something that needed to be explored and understood, and with such a significant decline, it would not be an unreasonable position to suggest that the Special Constabulary is facing an existential crisis. That, combined with my own lived experiences over the last decade or so as a Special Constable, really motivated me to propose to research this issue at doctoral level, as I feel it is important to do so. My hope is to create an evidence base on why people join, their experiences as a Special Constable, and their reasons for leaving, to hopefully contribute to the future sustainability of the Special Constabulary in England and Wales. 

From your research so far, are there any early insights you can share about why people stay or leave the Special Constabulary?

I often hear the anecdote that “most specials I know join up as regulars”, as a means of explaining the decline in numbers or lack of retention. Interestingly, that conversion rate however has sat at around 40% for around two decades (Britton, 2018). Furthermore, the median length of service for a Special Constable is just 2.2 years, so the majority do not become ‘long serving’ or ‘career Specials’ (Britton, 2024). Research also indicates that the uplift programme has had little impact on Special Constable recruitment, so the knowledge gap is essentially ‘where do the rest go, and why?’. There has not been any qualitative research specifically on Special Constabulary leavers since 1994, which indicated that what leavers were telling forces during exit interviews – often a change in personal circumstances – often did not match what leavers were then telling researchers – feelings of dissatisfaction with the role, a lack of training and investment, police culture towards Special Constables (Mirrlees-Black and Byron, 1994). Policing has changed a lot since, then, however it will be interesting to see if those themes from interviews in the 90’s have also changed. There is some great research on ‘long serving’ Special Constables by Dr Iain Britton that I would recommend to anyone interested in that area specifically.

What do you think policing organisations and higher education institutions can do to better support Special Constables?

I think one of the main issues to address now is the continuing decline in numbers nationally. I feel that policing and academia working together to understand this phenomenon and implement evidence-based change is the best way to better support Special Constables at present.

How do PCDA students respond to hearing about your frontline experience as a volunteer police officer?

I generally feel that student officers respond well, and hope that my operational experiences as a Special Constable are relatable to them. I find that my roles complement each other well, and that it is often beneficial to bring some of that operational experience into the classroom to help contextualise learning. I also feel that sometimes student officers are surprised by some of the incidents I have attended and been exposed to. I think this highlights the important role Special Constables play operationally. Gone are the days of the stereotypical image of a Special Constable policing the village fete; we now carry most of the same kit (I am a Taser officer, for example), receive a lot of the same operational training, can specialise, and attend pretty much everything a regular officer would. There are some fundamental differences between the roles, however anecdotally, I feel that gap has narrowed.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining the Special Constabulary — especially professionals with other commitments?

I cannot recommend the role enough. I have loved the last 9+ years of volunteering as a Special Constable. There absolutely is a balance to strike, and vital to remember that family, friends, and your career come first. However, like any other officer, we carry that warrant card with us on and off duty. It truly is a volunteering role like no other, with a tremendous amount of responsibility, and of course an element of risk, however the reward of helping people and keeping communities safe is just fantastic. 

Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future of volunteering in policing?

My hope is that with action at local and national level within policing, as well as close collaboration between policing and academia to better understand Special Constabulary retention and the sustained decline in strength since 2012, that we will see numbers stabilise and maintained within England and Wales. The Special Constabulary has a rich and unique history and makes a significant contribution to policing, and it deserves to thrive.

Our thanks to Jack for contributing to the UWE Policing blog and to all the volunteers out there. If this has inspired you to look at volunteering as a Special Constable you can find out more information about the role and how to apply through this College of Policing link

References

Britton, I. (2018) Analysis of Special Constabulary Statistics. Institute for Public Safety Crime and Justice (online). Available from: https://pure.northampton.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/8419410/Britton_Iain_2018_Analysis_of_Special_Constabulary_National_Statistics_Briefing_Paper_3.pdf

Britton, I. (2024) Where have all the Special Constables gone, and what can we do about it? The Police Foundation (online). Available from: https://www.police-foundation.org.uk/2024/01/where-have-all-the-special-constables-gone-and-what-can-we-do-about-it-long-read/

Home Office (2025) Police workforce, England and Wales (online). Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-30-september-2024/police-workforce-england-and-wales-30-september-2024

Mirrlees-Black, C. and Byron, C. (1994) Special Considerations: Issues for the Management and Organisation of the Volunteer Police (online). London: Home Office. 

Editorial Team

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).

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

Staff in the Spotlight – A conversation with Sean Paley.

Author claudiamccready | Posted on

Sir Robert Peel famously said, “the police are the public and the public are the police.” Much to that sentiment, we recognise the key roles that our staff and students undertake in making our programmes successful.

This week’s UWE Bristol Policing blog focuses on a key member of our teaching staff, Sean Paley. Sean kindly shares his vast background in operational policing, his transition into academia and how he uses such knowledge to help develop the next generation of officers on the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship. He may even share a funny story, recipe or recommendation too…

Who are you and what is your role at UWE?

I am Sean Paley, currently a lecturer on the PCDA programme teaching across a range of policing powers and subjects. I have 5 years’ experience teaching on the PCDA programmes, joining UWE in November 2024.

Can you tell us a bit about the experience you bring to your role?

In addition to teaching on the PCDA programme, I have been supervising students in year 3 projects, which I enjoy very much. I have one publication which is related to policing in the 21st century and is aimed at the PCDA student audience. I have 32 years’ experience in Policing, mainly in CID across a range of areas, and in addition undertaking SIO duties for 22 of those years as the on-call SIO to serious and major crime.

What do you enjoy most about working on the policing programmes?

The best thing about working in this role is giving police officers the opportunity to enjoy and achieve great things, and to see them arrive fresh and ready to learn and see them at the end of the study when they have grown and developed enormously. I get a sense of achievement knowing I have added some contribution to this and their journey ahead.

What do you consider to be your areas of specialism and research interests?

I am interested in Police Powers, The Police and Criminal Evidence Act and covert methods of Policing, including Covert Human Intelligence Sources, or informant management as it’s known. I accepted an invite to write a chapter on Crime in the 21st Century, this looks at the emergence of digital advances, computer crime, cyber crime and the threat from county lines and the challenges of the current working environment, including terrorism.

Do you have a funny or favourite ‘on the job’ experience?

Seeing a Police officer dressed as Father Christmas plunging through a front window of a house using subterfuge on a drugs warrant!

What is one book or film which profoundly changed your perspective on policing and related issues?

I would recommend Roger Graef’s ‘Talking Blues: Police in Their Own Words’, which is a hard hitting but accurate collection of interviews detailing the Police culture in the 1980’s and is useful to juxtapose with the current era to assess ‘progress’ in the obvious topics affecting policing and legitimacy.

An image of the front cover of 'Talking Blues' hardback.

“A collection of interviews with over 500 police officers of every rank from all over Britain and Northern Ireland. The 1980s have changed policing, often out of recognition, and “Talking Blues” records these changes as they are perceived by the police (Graef, 1989).”

Finally, if you had to eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?

Beef Stroganoff, I must admit I do not cook this, it is something I would choose if on a menu. If I do cook, it is a curry, usually using a Patak’s paste! Menu on the jar.

Additional resources

Graef, R. (1989) Talking Blues: Police in Their Own Words. London: Collins Harvill.

Paley, S. (2022) Crime in the Twenty-First Century. In: Blockley, T., Sheldon, B. and Williams, P., ed. (2022) Understanding Policing and Professional Practice. St Albans: Critical Publishing, pp. 163 – 178.

Editorial Team

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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).

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

A Day in the Life of Chief Inspector Dan Forster.

Author claudiamccready | Posted on

Anne Eason, our Associate Director of Policing, recently reached out to Chief Inspector Dan Forster from Avon & Somerset Police’s Strategic Planning team, to tell her about his day as a Chief Inspector. In his reply Dan delves into his motivations for joining the police, highlights the diverse experiences of his career, and discusses his current role. He also explores the advantages of higher education for police officers.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to become a police officer?

I remember the police visiting my school when I was about 11 or 12. The Mounted & Dog Section came along, and it all seemed very exciting. A couple of years later, I was out one Saturday afternoon in Bristol when I saw two officers engaged in a foot chase with a suspect through the busy shopping centre. I don’t know whether they ever caught the person, but it made an impression on me.

Icon of a computer screen and phone.

I joined Wiltshire police in 1998. It was a time before social media and mobile phones. There was only one desktop computer in the station which was not networked as the internet was still in its infancy. I never saw anybody use it. My two-year probationary period was undertaken in the market town of Chippenham and was a life-changing experience. I was very naïve, having no idea of just how busy the police are in dealing with crime and responding to community issues around the clock. I also had no appreciation for the levels of deprivation that exist within our communities, along with the undercurrent of neglect and harm that is invisible to most in society.

We typically paraded a sergeant and six constables as a response team from the station at Wood Lane. During my probation, I dealt with all manner of incidents including shoplifting, disorder, sudden death, serious road traffic collisions and domestic violence. A memorable moment came when on solo foot patrol at 5am in the morning. I noticed a door ajar at the local school and chose to investigate. I remember wandering around the corridors thinking that the caretaker must have forgotten to lock up, when I came face to face with a burglar. I’m not sure who was more surprised, me or him. There was a surreal moment as we just stood there looking at each other. I eventually made the move and put him in handcuffs before marching him outside to be collected by a patrol car.

Image of Dan Forster as a Police Constable.

 At the conclusion of my probation, I transferred to Trinity Road in Bristol. Some may think that city policing is more challenging than rural policing, but I found this not to be the case. City policing was a faster pace, but the variety of work in rural policing, often single-crewed, made for a challenging operational environment.

“Over the past 25 years or so I have been fortunate to work in Response, Neighbourhoods, Training and Specialist Operations (firearms and public order). Policing has offered me a varied and rewarding career that I don’t think would be possible to experience in many occupations.”

How does your day start?

The day starts by trying to get the kids out of bed and to eat their breakfast. This is often the biggest challenge of the day!

What does a typical day involve?

I am currently working in Strategic Planning, undertaking a review of our operating model for policing. As Chief Inspector my days are still varied, but not as much as when I was an operational PC.

I spend much of my day in meetings and workshops, leading a team of business analysts, project managers and data scientists to design new ways of working.

I still have one foot in operational policing as a Silver (tactical) Commander for public order operations. This includes the planning and delivery of policing operations for sporting events, music festivals, protest and public disorder.

What aspects of your job do you find the most rewarding?

Grey icon of a crowd of male and females.

I really enjoy the operational side of the job. In was fortunate to study Crowd Safety Management at Bucks New University, graduating with first class honours. I am fascinated by crowd psychology and dynamics, and its relevance to policing. My dissertation was titled ‘Policing the Psychological Crowd’ and was highly relevant to understanding how we apply the ‘Elaborated Social Identity Model’ to protest and reduce the likelihood of police becoming the target of protest activity.

Policing has also provided the opportunity to undertake a master’s at the University of Cambridge. This as another life changing experience that completely changed how I think about policing. The main driver was evidence-based practice and finding out ‘what works’. I really enjoyed learning about innovative practice such as enhanced video response, which we are now introducing into policing to improve public service.

What would success in your role look like for you?

The starting point for me is public service. Everything we do should be aimed at serving the public. I’ve had many successes (and failures!) along the way, but it remains a privilege to get justice for people as part of the healing process when they have been victims of crime.

What do you see as the main benefits of a university education for police officers and what do you think the educational priorities are?

Critical thinking. It always amazes me how people believe what they are being told without question. I have certainly been guilty of this. Academia taught me to ask for the source when people are making claims to support an argument. It’s often the case that hearsay is being presented as fact. Further, academic writing skills have been of real benefit when writing objective reports and presenting business opportunities. Third person passive all the way.

And lastly, what do you do for fun?

I keep bees. It’s a great hobby and I have more honey in the cupboard than I know what to do with.

Editorial Team

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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).

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

The Initial Response and Investigation of Sudden and Unexpected Deaths: The Importance of Vulnerability in Decision-Making

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

Introduction: The Case of Una Crown

In January 2013, 86-year-old Una Crown was found dead in her home. Despite obvious signs of foul play, police ruled her death non-suspicious, failing to secure the scene. A post-mortem later revealed she had been stabbed and set alight to destroy evidence (BBC, 2015a). HM Coroner noted, “Foul play or suspicious circumstances were too readily dismissed” (BBC, 2015b).

This case highlights the dangers of misjudging sudden deaths, errors that can allow killers to evade justice for years. Thankfully, Una’s killer was finally convicted in 2025, but for 12 years, her murder remained unsolved.

Research confirms systemic failures in initial response, increasing the risk of missed homicides (Forensic Science Regulator, 2015). This blog examines why sudden deaths are sometimes misclassified and how vulnerability can influence police decision-making.

Understanding Sudden Death Pathways

Sudden and unexpected deaths follow three primary pathways:

  1. Expected Deaths resulting from known terminal illness, allowing a doctor to issue a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (MCCD). This system was exploited by Dr Harold Shipman, who murdered 215 patients over 24 years. The Shipman Inquiry (Secretary of State for the Home Department, 2003) led to the NHS Medical Examiner system to increase oversight.
  2. Unexpected Deaths where a doctor cannot certify a cause of death, and the case goes to HM Coroner. If no foul play is suspected by police, a non-forensic hospital pathologist determines the cause of death.
  3. Suspicious Deaths, where credible suspicion exists, police take primacy, and a Home Office Registered Forensic Pathologist (HORFP) conducts a full forensic post-mortem.

The first attending officer’s pathway assessment is critical and a misjudgement at this stage can let a killer walk free.

Statistics and the Risk of Missed Homicides

In 2024 there were 570 recorded homicide offences in England and Wales (ONS, 2025). Police detection rates consistently sit around 85% (Cook & Tattersall, 2014). But does this reflect the true homicide rate, or are some being missed?

The first critical step in homicide investigations is identifying a crime. Without this, there is no suspect and no prosecution. Yet this responsibility often falls to police response officers, not experienced and highly trained Senior Investigating Officers (SIOs). The Major Crime Investigation Manual (NPCC, 2021) provides guidance, but it is written for SIOs, not first responders, who instead rely on more limited training and Practice Advice (Home Office, 2024).

The statistics paint a concerning picture. Of the 581,000 deaths in England and Wales in 2023, 194,999 were reported to HM Coroners, with 36,855 inquests opened—representing 19% of reported deaths (MoJ, 2024). While most inquests reach a clear conclusion, around 1105 in 2023 (3%) resulted in open-type verdicts. These are used when the cause of death cannot be definitively determined (MoJ, 2024). Ambiguous deaths that end up in these open verdicts are the most vulnerable to misinterpretation when compared to “self-solvers” (Innes, 2003, p.197) where the evidence clearly indicates a crime and the person(s) responsible.

History warns us of this risk of misinterpretation. Johnson (1969) exposed systemic failings, finding 5% of presumed natural deaths were unnatural, including 27 undiscovered homicides. His research showed cognitive bias, poor scene assessments, and overlooked injuries, particularly among elderly and infant deaths.

So, are we deceiving ourselves with the homicide detection rate and are murderers still slipping through the net?

The Critical Nature of Initial Response

The first moments at a sudden death scene are pivotal. The initial attending officer’s decision to classify a death as suspicious or not determines the course of the investigation. A single misjudgement can let a homicide go undetected.

Interestingly, Stelfox (2006) identified three reasons why homicides are misclassified:

  1. Failure to collect evidence effectively.
  2. Failure to interpret information correctly.
  3. Failure of supervisors to challenge flawed assumptions.

Systemic Failures in Initial Death Classifications

Over five decades after Johnson’s (1969) research, the Forensic Science Regulator (2015) examined 32 sudden deaths initially deemed non-suspicious and exposed the same investigative failures:

  • 10 cases transpired to be homicides.
  • 5 additional cases remained suspected murders.
  • Initial police decision-making contributed to 60% of potential missed homicides. Apparent and obvious indicators of suspicion were overlooked and in 5 cases, no body inspection occurred, despite visible injuries being discovered later.

Ultimately, the system worked and these cases were investigated. However, flaws in the initial police response were again exposed, leading the researchers to conclude that there was an ongoing risk of homicides being missed.

Revisiting the “Fatal Call” Concept for 2025

A wrong decision at a sudden death scene can mean justice lost, a concept Jones (2016) termed the “fatal call.”

While forensic advancements like advanced imaging techniques and AI-driven analysis offer new tools, they also introduce the risk that reliance on technology without professional curiosity can reinforce cognitive biases rather than eliminate them.

At the same time, in a drive for efficiency, some forces have shifted initial sudden death classification to paramedics in certain circumstances, significantly altering the process. New protocols reduce police involvement, giving ambulance crews greater decision-making power. While the shift to paramedic-led classification aims to ease demand on police, it raises a concern that it may inadvertently increase the risk of missed suspicious deaths. Paramedics are not trained investigators, and signs of foul play may go unnoticed.

This operational shift represents a change in the investigative landscape that warrants research to assess its impact and ensure that efficiency is not coming at the cost of deaths being misclassified.

This danger of misclassification is real. In 2015, John ‘Goldfinger’ Palmer, who was famously implicated in laundering gold stolen in the Brinks Mat robbery, was found dead in his garden. Paramedics and police classified it as non-suspicious and resulting from recent surgery (Cawley, 2017). Several days later, a standard post-mortem revealed he had been shot six times (BBC Gangster, 2023). The error cost investigators critical time and evidence. Despite a £100,000 reward, his murder remains unsolved.

How many more fatal calls will go unchallenged?

The Role of Vulnerability in Decision-Making

Jones (2016) also found that in all 15 suspicious cases examined by the Forensic Science Regulator (2015), victims were vulnerable due to age, drugs and alcohol use or situational factors such as domestic abuse. Instead of prompting greater scrutiny, these factors often led investigators to prematurely close cases.

This reflects case closure bias, which involves the tendency to close investigations too early, misinterpreting evidence and overlooking alternative explanations. Contributing factors include resource and workload pressures, a desire for quick resolutions, and discomfort with ambiguity.

The Stephen Port Grindr Killer case illustrates the consequences of such bias. Port used Chemsex drugs to sexually assault and murder four young gay men, yet there were failures to link the deaths despite clear similarities. Initial investigations wrongly classified them as non-suspicious drugs overdoses or suicide. A HMICFRS (2022) review criticised the lack of investigative curiosity, reliance on assumptions, unconscious bias, and inexperience, all of which allowed a serial killer to remain undetected for over a year.

If vulnerability leads to flawed decision-making, it must be reframed. Instead of ruling out suspicion, it should be the trigger for investigative scrutiny.

Conclusion: Towards an Open-Mind Approach

Homicide statistics only tell part of the story, they do not account for murders never identified as such. Once a death is classified as non-suspicious, forensic scrutiny is limited, increasing the risk of missed homicides.

Cognitive bias and vulnerability have been shown to influence police decision-making, leading to premature case closures, particularly in deaths involving the elderly, children, drugs, and alcohol.

Investigating sudden deaths requires both professional curiosity and a systematic, evidence-led approach. The goal is not to treat every case as suspicious until proven otherwise, but to eliminate bias that prematurely rules it out.

At UWE Bristol, our training aims to support new officers to be professionally curious, be aware of cognitive and cultural bias and take an evidence-based approach using practical initial response simulations. These reinforce methodical decision-making and the pursuit of all reasonable lines of enquiry. In doing so, we strive to equip new officers with the critical skills and investigative mindset necessary for frontline officers who make the first and most consequential judgment at a scene.

References

Editorial Team

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).

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

How Children’s Voices on Racism Are Shaping Police Training

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

In this week’s Policing blog, Dr Verity Jones and Dr Anne Eason report on their ground-breaking UWE Bristol project based on children’s lived experiences of racism in the UK set to transform police training.

On 3rd February 2025, people gathered at May Park School, Bristol to watch an exciting new animation which is hoped to inform anti-racist practice in the Police.

University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) researchers have worked with 100s of primary-aged children to explore the everyday experiences of racism they navigate and how these impact on their and their family’s mental health and wellbeing. This UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded research revealed a broken relationship between young children and the police.

The 9–11-year-old children, who were from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, consistently spoke of how they felt let down by the police, that the police made them feel unsafe and scared to leave home.

The learnings from this unique project, in collaboration with Avon and Somerset Police and the UWE policing lead, has now been transformed into a resource that will be used as part of UWE’s Professional Policing courses to help tackle racism. The aim of the animation is to encourage police officers to listen to the voice of the child and consider their views in their interactions with the Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups.  It is also being used in Race Matters training across the Avon and Somerset constabulary.

Partnering with Avon and Somerset Police has allowed the UWE team to develop much-needed tools based on real insight into children’s experience of everyday racism in the UK. The animation presents four real examples of children’s experiences from the area, voiced by pupils from May Park School.

We hope that other police forces and emergency services around the country also adopt these resources into their training, allowing us to collectively work to increase the bond of trust between services and communities. 

Watch the animation here UWE Bristol RESPECT Project: Race Matters Police Training animation, made with children’s help

About the RESPECT Project

In 2021 the RESPECT project began working with primary school age children across Bristol and the UK to amplify the lived experiences of racism young children navigate every day – the first project of its kind in UK. The initial research by the interdisciplinary team from UWE Bristol involved engaging with over 200 children from Bristol schools and culminating in co-writing the children’s book ‘If Racism Vanished for a Day’ with 17 of the initial participants. Since then, the team has extended work across primary and secondary settings, with NHS Social Services, Barnardo’s children’s charity and Chartered College of Teaching recognising and supporting this important work. Lesson plans and resources are all freely available from the team. Please contact Verty6.Jones@uwe.ac.uk

Dr Verity Jones is an Associate Professor of Education Dr Verity Jones – UWE Bristol

Dr Anne Eason is an Associate Director of Policing Dr Anne Eason – UWE Bristol

Editorial Team

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).

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

A Day in the Life of a National Crime Agency (NCA) Major Crime Support Manager

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to help crack a major investigation or achieve that critical breakthrough? This week, as part of our A Day in the Life series, we turn the spotlight on the National Crime Agency (NCA), an organisation that as well as leading the UK’s fight against serious organised crime, provides specialist expertise and vital support to frontline policing.

Today, we delve into the fascinating role of David Liddle, a manager in the NCA’s Major Crime Investigation Support unit. With his team, David plays a key part in supporting victims of devastating crimes and helping bring offenders to justice. Having had the privilege of working with David as a National Senior Investigating Officer Advisor, I’ve witnessed first-hand the exceptional dedication, expertise, and impact of his team.

Let’s hear directly from David as he takes us through a day in his life…

Can you tell us a little about your role at the NCA?

I’m a manager in Major Crime Investigative Support, which assists police forces when they have cases requiring specialist input.

My team is the first point of contact for police officers. We handle large numbers of requests seeking advice on investigations into murders, rapes, abductions, missing people and more.

It’s our role to provide support, drawing on our own experience as investigators and connecting forces with a large network of forensic experts.

These experts work outside the NCA but we can call upon them to provide expert opinion on a broad range of sometimes niche topics – everything from fires to psychiatry and wildlife to forensic linguistics, which involves analysing written language through text and WhatsApp messaging from digital devices.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to become a Crime Team Manager at the NCA?

I joined Cambridgeshire Constabulary in 1992, after serving in the Royal Air force.

While I am not university educated, I was fortunate to have a very supportive family, including a father who mentored me through the early years of my police career.

My varied and successful career in policing culminated in me joining the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit in 2011, where I managed teams investigating murders and serious sexual assaults.

In 2013, when the NCA was formed, I spotted a vacancy in its Major Crime Investigation Support unit, which I saw as an excellent opportunity to grow my investigative knowledge and share experiences with colleagues across law enforcement. 

I got the job and haven’t looked back since.

How does your day start? (do you have a favourite breakfast?)

I’m an early riser – my alarm goes off at 5:15am. I head off to the gym because I enjoy the buzz of intensive exercise; it sets me up for the day.

My wife attends the gym with me, although she is far more disciplined than I! It allows us to spend some time together before we head off to work.

In support of a healthy lifestyle, I also follow the 16/8 intermittent fasting diet, so I don’t normally eat until midday. Poached eggs are my staple start to the day.  

What does a typical day involve?

Much of my day involves managing staff to ensure we get the job done, while also ensuring their welfare is taken care of. My team often have to provide time-critical advice on some very challenging and emotionally difficult cases.  

One of my favourite parts of the day is when I use my own experience and that of the experts I know to help police officers.

What aspects of your job do you find most rewarding?

I’ve always enjoyed the problem-solving aspect of policing. In my current role I get to help detectives with their challenges, to enhance their evidential opportunities and ultimately help them bring some of the most serious offenders to justice.  

I believe victims should be at the forefront of everything law enforcement does and I help achieve this by sharing the learning and best practice with officers across the country. The positive feedback I receive for this is extremely rewarding.

I also enjoy hearing about the successes from the team of interview specialists I manage, whose work entails interviewing vulnerable victims and witnesses in a way that is sensitive to their individual needs and experiences, but ensures they get the evidence required to help secure justice for them.

What would success in your role look like for you?

Success to me is driving up the standards of criminal investigations across the UK by supporting colleagues in police forces and ensuring I stay on top of my own professional development every year.

Success is also about helping my team members grow both in experience and confidence by providing inspiration, direction and encouragement.

What do you see as the main benefits of a university education for police officers and what do you think the educational priorities are?

Balancing a career and education can be challenging, but university education offers police officers an excellent foundation on which to build their careers. It can support deeper critical thinking and enhance decision making.  

And lastly, what do you do for fun?

It’s not all work for me! I enjoy playing golf with friends, although maintaining a single-figure handicap is becoming increasing difficult as I get older.

I also enjoy spending time with my growing family, supporting my children and grandchildren where I can. I’m immensely proud of their achievements and I get great satisfaction from hearing about their successes.

I’m also a mentor for young people seeking a career in policing. To date I have supported 11 young people in their endeavours to become police officers and I enjoy hearing about their successes as the years go by. You don’t have to be a police officer to become a National Crime Agency officer.  Find out more about the wide range of roles at the National Crime Agency at www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/careers

Editorial Team

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).

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

A festive message from 999 PC Elf (on the shelf)

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

Our final UWE Bristol Policing blog for 2024 authored by 999 PC Elf, seeks to bring a touch of Christmas spirit to policing during this challenging time of year.

Hello everyone, so nice to be out and about again after 11 months being stuck in the office drawer. I say stuck but, in all honesty, I need the sleep after a December, is such a busy period for us Elves on the force. First on the agenda (and before the uniform goes on), a quick mince pie and if I’m lucky, a Starbucks coffee and I’m ready to go. Next, it’s catching up with the events of the last 11 months which let me tell you, is no mean feat. UWE and Avon and Somerset Police have been really busy. Another four Apprenticeship cohorts, a new DHEP neighbourhood route and the launch of the Applied Criminal Justice Top-Up (they’re a motley crew!) its busy, busy, busy. Oh and of course a change of government both here and across the pond…I think I need another mince pie!

The night time economy appears to be going well. I was patrolling last Friday night in the city centre and there were plenty of young people enjoying the nightlife (some a little too much it seems) but lots of taxis taking them home. BBC news has also reported that Bristol has won the Best Night Time Initiative Award for its Women’s Safety Charter Campaign. The seven-point code and providing the bystander intervention training to 500-night safety champions proving successful. This is great news, certainly makes us PC Elves feel better knowing that women, girls and female elves are safer.

Next to get teamsing to my counterparts across the area. These meetings tend to drag on a bit but good to share information and let’s face it, we’re pretty darn good at sharing information – how else would we know which officer wants what for Christmas and make sure that all the presents are secure until Christmas eve? Got to watch that lot – “oi, no peeking!”. Also need to make plans for wrapping, delivery and helping Santa get in and out of the station without being caught!

Last, but by no means least is preparing for the New Year festivities. Custody can be a nightmare this time of year so a quick visit to Bridewell, make sure the cells are in ship shape condition, ready for any invited guests over the course of the month, and especially for those New Years Eve celebrations. A briefing session, check the tyre pressures, lights and sirens are working and we’ll be ready. Hopefully it will be a quiet one. There’s been lots of ‘drink driving’ signage out and we know that everyone just wants to have a good time. Trouble is, those elves can get a bit rowdy, especially as they know they have eleven months to sleep it off!

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.

999PC Elf …

999 PC Elf would like to acknowledge Associate Director’s of Policing Dr Anne Eason & Sarah Williams, for their fantastic support in creating this blog.

Editorial Team

The Editorial Team would like extend our thanks and gratitude to all of our guest contributors during 2024.

We wish you all a safe and happy Christmas.

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).

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

A Day in the life of an IDVA

Author Claire Bowers | Posted on

We are fast approaching Christmas, an occasion generally regarded as one of the most wonderful times of the year. However for many, especially women, it is sadly the most dangerous time of the year, with a significant increase in risk of abuse and violence. The Christmas period typically sees a rise in police responses to domestic abuse incidents and a report by the NSPCC predicts that 15,000 children could be exposed to domestic violence over the two-week Christmas period.

According to the Office of National Statistics (2024), the police recorded approximately 1.4 million domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes in the year ending March 2024. The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimates that unfortunately 2.3 million people (4.8%) aged 16 years and over (1.6 million women and 712,000 men) have experienced domestic abuse this year. These are sobering figures indeed. The police play a crucial role in taking ‘positive action‘ to protect victims, investigate and prevent domestic abuse, however this issue requires a multi-agency approach.

The period from Monday 25th November to Tuesday, 10th December, represented the annual 16 Days of Activism against domestic abuse. To mark the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, Next Link held candlelit vigils to highlight the number of women and children affected by Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence.

Candle lit vigil to mark the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. Photograph provided by Next Link.

 This week’s blog is written by Liz fromNext Link. Liz is an IDVA, which stands for Independent Domestic Violence Advisor. Next Linkis commissioned to provide IDVA services by South Gloucestershire, Bristol and North Somerset Councils, in partnership with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Every 10 minutes, partners and family members killed a woman intentionally in 2023 (United Nations, 2024)

Like all crisis response teams, Liz and her colleagues are an essential support resource, keeping people safe and empowered during the Christmas season and throughout the rest of the year.

IDVAs are a primary point of contact for victims of domestic abuse. They prioritise victim safety by providing crucial advocacy, emotional and practical assistance to reduce the risk posed by perpetrators of domestic abuse.   

Next Link Candle-lit vigil 2024. Photograph provided by Next Link.

This blog will help you to understand more about the important work that IDVAs do. Over to you Liz… 

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to become an IDVA? 

I have worked within support and trauma for 20 plus years! Yes, I am an oldie! Firstly, I worked within case management for under 25’s who had suffered a traumatic brain injury, often from a crime or negligence.  I worked with the whole family, co-ordinated a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and ensured a long-term plan was in place for them to rebuild their lives. 

I then started my family and when they went to school, I began working in trauma youth work and alternative education. 

“All of the children and young people were in care or secure units or pupil referral units (PRU). They were either care leavers, out of education, had severe mental health issues, or similar.”

I was often working within a large team of professionals from schools, police, youth offending teams, criminal justice service, children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) etc. I worked with children to build resilience and coping strategies, working through trauma and supporting them to reach their full potential. Domestic abuse was often a factor in their lives. 

“I had a break from this field for seven years as I became a survivor of domestic violence and stalking.”

After taking time to heal and work through my experience, I decided that I wanted to become an IDVA. I would not have been able to do all this without the support of my IDVA.

 “I wanted to turn something horrific into something empowering and support others.”

How does your day start?

I would like to say, meditating to the sun and having a green tea! But, in reality, it is a strong coffee and walking the hounds! Well, they are more the size of guinea pigs, but they still need walking! Then I am getting the tribe fed, out of the door and delivered to schools etc. before heading to work! 

What does a typical day involve?

There really is not a typical day for an IDVA…

“Much like the police, your day can be planned but you need to be responsive to victims and survivors needs. Risk can change quickly, so the priority is those at high risk of harm.” 

My day can be spent: 

  • Attending court. Often family court, but we have many cases at Magistrates and Crown Court. 
  • Support/advocacy at child protection meetings.  
  • Attending housing meetings for advocacy e.g. for emergency accommodation 
  • Appeals and support letters to access housing and other services. 
  • Support to give written or video statements to the police. 
  • Liaising with professionals in the criminal justice system e.g. Lighthouse and OIC’s to provide updates to the victim, ensure their voice is heard and assist in any way we can with the investigation. 
  • Safety planning, home-security referrals, co-ordinating with schools and services regarding safety. 

I work with the under 25’s who are living with domestic abuse, so I do some 1:1 work with them on safety planning, understanding their experiences, planning what they want to happen next and working with schools and social services.

I am also training to be an ISAC for South Gloucestershire. Many of the stalking cases will therefore come to me or other trained ISACs, and colleagues will also seek advice from us.

ISAC stands for Independent stalking advocacy caseworker and is a trained specialist who provides advice and support to anyone who has been the victim of Domestic Stalking 

As you can see it is very varied work, all with the common goal of helping victims to seek help and find safety by providing practical, emotional and legal support. We try to help victims to navigate the complex and often overwhelming criminal justice and family court systems they find themselves involved in.

How does your role link with policing?

“We work very closely with Lighthouse and Avon & Somerset Police.”

Often the referrals will come directly from the police where we will contact the OIC (Officer in charge) for a case update and ascertain what support the victim needs to support them with their investigation. We will work with the victim and police to facilitate as much as we can. This can range from requesting a ‘treat as urgent’ (TAU) marker on victim’s addresses, support at court and video interviews (Achieving Best Evidence) to support the victim during their process and liaising with police on any victim engagement and/or safety concerns.

“We advocate for the victim’s voice throughout the process and are a bridge between the police and the victim if needed, to achieve the best possible outcome.” 

As I am trained and understand the independence of my role, the police and CPS roles, I also can assist with ensuring the case is robust as possible for presenting to the CPS for a charging decision by supporting the victim to recognise the importance of evidence gathering/preservation and co-operating where they choose to do this. 

I was recently an IDVA on Operation Balearic which aimed to improve police investigations and provide support to victims immediately after a report had been made, whilst the suspect was in custody. Speaking to victims at this stage gave me a real understanding of Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and the police’s role in the initial interaction with the victim. This enabled me to be able to more explain fully to the victim why certain questions are asked and what was currently happening. 

Sometimes we will challenge decisions if this is in the victim’s best interests. For example, I have suggested a case is looked at as a stalking charge, rather than as a breach of bail etc. and will encourage it to be reviewed by putting forward my rationale and evidence. 

“For victims, making informed choices and having control over the process makes a big difference in their recovery, as they have already been subject to controlling behaviours and had their choices taken away from them.”

What aspects of your job do you find most rewarding?

“The most rewarding part of being an IDVA is when a very traumatised victim allows you to support them through an awful, disturbing and confusing time. This is a real privilege.”

Seeing their confidence build and get their lives back on track. Being present at the moment when they realise there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  

What would success in your role look like for you?

Survivors re-building secure futures and thriving. Not being a victim from domestic abuse again.

What do you see as the main benefits of a university education for police officers and what do you think the educational priorities are? 

A university education should teach a rounded and holistic approach to policing, with the opportunity to gain knowledge of the different areas.

“Empathy and compassion fatigue are a very real issue in this work. Educational priorities should include learning to look after yourself and having good boundaries. These are key to a lasting career.”  

And lastly, what do you do for fun? 

I am creative and often will be found in the garage upcycling some new find from the charity shop or Vinted! 

If you would like to learn more about Next Link and the important work that they do, you can visit their website or refer to their latest Impact Report and Guide to Services.

If you’re looking for more information on how to seek help for domestic abuse, the following links may be useful:

Editorial Team

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).

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

Staff Spotlight on Dr Anne Eason

Author Claire Bowers | Posted on

This week’s blog for the ‘staff in the spotlight series’ needs little introduction to many. Dr Anne Eason is our much loved and respected Associate Director of Policing at UWE, with extensive academic and operational experience within criminal justice, ranging from probation and assessment and management of high risk of harm offenders, to research in police decision making in domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. Anne represents the true essence of a ‘pracademic’ and has just published her second book with co-author Dr Rob Starr, entitled ‘The University Beat: Critical Reflections on the Delivery of Police Education In England and Wales.’ This book explores how the new degree routes draw together the evidence-based approaches of policing practices into a framework for educational study that meet policing needs, celebrating and drawing on the conceptual knowledge gained by UWE. And, for those of you that were wondering, her first book was ‘The Police Officers Guide to Academic Research.’ 

Anne embodies the perfect balance of practical expertise and academic insight, and since 2019 has been the cornerstone that has united and led so many, in partnership with UWE and Avon and Somerset Police, through the journey of professional policing degrees. We really enjoyed learning more about our Associate Director and we are sure that you will too. Over to you Anne… 

Could you tell us a little bit more about your role at UWE and the programmes you are involved with?

I am one of two Associate Directors of Policing and I am responsible for the strategic development of the PCDA and DHEP programmes (and more recently the PCEP) delivered in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police. I joint manage the policing team who teach, are part of the tripartite team and our administrator (who is the backbone of the EPA!) and develop new projects, programmes and research opportunities. Impressive huh? 

What previous experience do you bring to the role? 

My criminal justice background initially started when working within the drugs and alcohol arena. I used to run the needle exchanges and encountered many different people. Some from the sex industry, some from everyday jobs and homes, some who had been convicted of crimes. The latter really interested me and I soon started doing some voluntary work with the Probation Service. A few years later I did my training and worked with those who had committed a range of offences, but mainly violence and sexual violence.

As a Senior Probation Officer I was able to take a more strategic role public protection and multi-agency working, particularly MAPPA and really enjoyed empowering others to make change. In 2011 I took my first academic role teaching on a Police Foundation degree and an Offender Management degree and have been in academia since. 

What do you enjoy about working on the policing programmes? 

Let’s face it, crime and criminality is much more sophisticated, the intersectionality of victims is diverse, and the criminal justice sector has to respond to these intelligently and empathically. The policing role demands a better understanding of the issues that underpin crime and victimhood as well as a greater knowledge about crime itself; digital, cyber, domestic abuse, honour-based violence…the list goes on.

The best thing about working in this role is giving police officers the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge about crime, victims and criminality in the depth that allows them to make informed decisions about complex problems.

Our programmes offer the evidence-base and practical skills needed to tackle these challenges. Being able to accredit all this into a programme of study is a well-deserved award that they can take with them on their professional journey, but more importantly, can use from the outset. 

What do you consider to be your areas of specialism and research interest? 

Risk and risk management, trauma informed practices and police education. I like to think of myself as a pracademic, someone who can operationalise theory into practice, and see that as all part of my magic power. 

What is your funniest or favourite ‘on the job’ experience? 

I don’t think I should talk about my funniest experience as this is a family Blog! However, one of my favourite experiences is graduation, seeing the look on some of our graduates’ faces realising what they have achieved.

It is a great privilege to be invited to their in-house ceremony and I always feel quite humbled saying a few words in celebration. 

What’s one book or movie that has profoundly changed your perspective on policing and related issues? 

Hot Fuzz! I didn’t realise police officers could jump over hedges so well! Haha

Rob Reiner in his book, The Politics of the Police, helped me understand some of the cultural nuances of policing, and how and why the ‘police family’ has to exist (to a certain extent anyway). I also really like Matthew Syed’s Black Box Thinking which is on our students reading list too. 

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be? 

Cheese, definitely cheese. Cheese on toast, macaroni cheese, steak with stilton – just any cheese really…accompanied by a glass of Malbec of course! 

Editorial Team

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).

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

A Day in the life of an Apprenticeship Coordinator

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to ensure the seamless training and development of future policing professionals? In this week’s blog, we will hear about a day in the life of Steve Concannon, a dedicated Apprenticeship Coordinator at the University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol. Steve’s role is pivotal in bridging the gap between academic learning and practical experience, ensuring that our apprentices are not only well-educated but also well-prepared for the realities of modern policing.

Whether you are a current policing apprentice, prospective applicant, or simply curious about the inner workings of our policing programme, this behind-the-scenes look will give you a newfound appreciation for the tireless efforts of those who support our Police Constable Degree apprentices every step of the way.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to become an Apprenticeship Coordinator?

Prior to finding a bit of direction in life, I spent around 9 years working for a well-known global financial organisation. Departing in 2007, the financial crash occurred in 2008. Coincidence? Yes, absolutely.

Following that, I coached football in the USA for a couple of years. Living in New Jersey, I also got to work in fantastic places such as New York and Memphis. It was such a positive, life-changing experience that it gave me the confidence and aspiration to develop myself (about time). I came back to study a BSc Sports Coaching Degree in Wales. New Jersey to Newport! ‘What’s up?’ to ‘What’s occurring?’ 

It was as a student that I realised Higher Education (HE) was where I wanted to work. I found it to be a supportive environment and became very aware of how a diverse range of services, departments and most importantly people, worked to forge a student-centred approach. My aim came to fruition by working in ‘Widening Participation’ speaking to under-represented groups about the different HE routes available. It was great to open students’ eyes to ‘less traditional’ routes in addition to well-known pathways.

UWE feels like a natural fit for me, and as an Apprenticeship Coordinator at UWE, I’ve been able to apply methods utilised in coaching and widening participation with the apprentices themselves.

How does your day start? (do you have a favourite breakfast?)

My day starts with a covert operation of creeping downstairs without waking the kids to have at least one coffee in peace! I have porridge for breakfast but mix in banana and honey to avoid the taste and consistency of wallpaper paste.

What does a typical day involve?

After a coffee or two, the morning consists of getting our two boys ready for school and out of the door on time. Close in age but with differing personalities, a little management is required, and that is putting it diplomatically!

I get out on a run a few times a week. Obviously, it’s good for physical health and fitness but it’s a nice bit of headspace too. I don’t put any pressure on myself though. I enjoy running rather than being obsessed by it. Life is a balance! And then it’s onto work.

A significant part of my job is conducting tripartite reviews with the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) officers and their Professional Development Unit (PDU) assessors from Avon and Somerset Constabulary (ASC). Whilst some students will navigate the PCDA in a smooth fashion, others may experience difficulties in the form of academic struggles, operational challenges, engagement issues or wellbeing problems.

Within a day of tripartite reviews, we’ll demonstrate a spectrum of behaviours. Empathetic, encouraging, understanding, motivating, persistent, diplomatic. And let’s not forget a little humour to break down barriers. Adaptable would be one word for us, but let’s call it supportive shape shifting! I mean, it sounds cool.

It’s important to state however that we are one part of a brilliant team, supported by a productive relationship with the UWE Policing academic staff. Being programme linked, we have a thorough understanding of the academic content, deep insight into apprentices’ development and an acute awareness of individual student needs. Also, by collaborating closely with ASC PDU Assessors, we ensure that each student has the best wraparound support. It is the very essence of a ‘joined up’ approach and I feel that the Tripartite team are the glue that helps keep it all together.

What aspects of your job do you find most rewarding?

Undoubtedly, the people. My Tripartite and wider UWE colleagues are supportive, creative, dedicated, diversely talented and never out of reach. Needless to say, all round good eggs.

Likewise, our Avon and Somerset colleagues and apprentices are an absolute pleasure to talk to. Whilst we’re sharing the love, let’s not forget the people that can make all the difference to the working day, but we might only see for 30 seconds on campus as we grab a coffee or ask directions (I still do). Smiling is infectious. Spike Milligan’s words, not mine.

What would success in your role look like for you?

As a student-centred role, we strive to provide everyone with the support required. It’s equally important however that apprentices are also equipped to deal with the demands of the role. Therefore, success is working productively with Avon & Somerset Constabulary to ensure individuals are supported according to their needs, yet autonomous in their learning.

What do you see as the main benefits of a university education for police officers and what do you think the educational priorities are?

It’s clear that the role of a modern-day Police Constable is multi-faceted and this is reflected in the breadth of academic learning gained by PCDA students. Combined with wide ranging competencies, knowledge, skills and behaviours, an apprentice can apply their understanding and become a critical thinking, well-rounded police officer.

We ask students to think critically, and I believe that the same priority applies to higher education institutions. We see policing programmes reflected on and evolve accordingly. It is so important that universities adapt to a fast-changing digital world, and that the courses remain relevant and useful. A further priority is embedding Professional Standards throughout an apprentices’ learning, particularly with the level of scrutiny being faced by police forces. This applies not only in the form of academic content but from the expectations of all on the PCDA programme, including us on the Tripartite team.

And lastly, what do you do for fun?

The simple pleasure of being around friends is a happy place. No stress, and a licence for us all to talk complete and utter nonsense while together!

I love my music and if I can find the time to squeeze in a little piano or guitar then I’m a happy lad! Thankfully for the neighbours, the drums are gathering dust in the garage.

I enjoy cooking and could happily live on a Mediterranean diet. Throw in some music whilst the hobs are on and suddenly a 90s Brit pop swagger is present in the kitchen too! But only when no-one is looking…

Editorial Team

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).

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

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