Benefits and challenges of academic police education

The chapter reports on findings from a larger study into the role of higher education in the police professionalisation. Specifically, it discusses the likely benefits and challenges of academic police education, drawing from twenty-four semi-structured interviews with fourteen police trainers and training coordinators in England and the existing literature. The potential benefits of academisation identified include broader knowledgebase, standardisation, opportunities for self-development and externally recognised qualifications, which put policing on a more equal footing with other professions and improve officers’ self-confidence. However, the demands on individual officers and the organisation restrict the time and money invested on education, affecting the acceptance and support such schemes receive. Other challenges include the plurality of university programmes, concern over management, previous lack of an overreaching professional body and the potentially adverse effects of academic requirements on equality and diversity.