Unit Outline

PEM307 Evidence-led Policing Practice introduces students to the array of strategies used to identify gaps and critical issues in policing practices, and to evaluate alternative policy/practice solutions. In addition to learning the policy/practice development cycle, students will be exposed to various data in order to enhance their capacity to evaluate the strength of the evidence available, to formulate alternative strategies to address an identified issue in policing practice, and to communicate the strategic imperative for policy and practice change. The authentic assessment tasks for this unit will prepare students for proposing change to their organisational unit, and to document the costs and consequences generated by not addressing the identified problem. In addition to two position papers, students will be required to make a compelling case for change via a short presentation to their peers, who will assess the strength of students’ arguments.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Identify gaps in evidence of policing practices in preparation for devising new approaches to contemporary policing problems.
2	Identify public concerns with current policing practice.
3	Collate and assess evidence of best practices to assist in creating new approaches to contemporary policing problems.
4	Evaluate the appropriate use of police powers and police procedures.
5	Assess and communicate the strategic imperative for change.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Collecting student feedback to enhance learning and teaching is strongly encouraged. Alterations to the unit are made as a result of such feedback. Please do feel free to contact me at any point during the semester if you would like to discuss anything. I would love to hear from you, especially to improve the contents and/or delivery of this Unit.

Alternatively, you may also provide feedback at the end of the semester, as per the usual University student feedback processes.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Presentation	Week 3	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Briefing paper	Week 7	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Issues Scoping Paper	Week 13	45 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Presentation

Task Description:

Presentation (5mins) (individual; summative; peer-assessed)

In this presentation, you will describe and explain what interests you in Evidence-based Policing (EBP) and how you think it can be used in practice and / or policy.
As part of this task, you will also be asked to comment on one of your classmate’s presentation/written piece. Submission of this work is online, via MyLO.

Task Length:

5 minutes

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Present a compelling case for policy/practice change	LO2, LO3, LO5
2	Synthesise key research and policy evidence for policy/practice change	LO1, LO3, LO4
3	Critically consider the costs and benefits of (no) change, and the impact on current practices	LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 2: Briefing paper

Task Description:

Briefing Paper (individual; summative)

From this point onwards, you will submit work that builds on each other.
In this piece, you will introduce a topic of your choice, and present a briefing paper as to an initiative, current issue or current problem, that can needs some kind of change (either an amelioration, or an alternative).
You are allowed to work on a topic that is relevant to your area of work, or which would benefit your organisation.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Provide an overview of the policy context of a contemporary policing problem	LO1, LO3
2	Compare/contrast policy options available to address a contemporary policing problem	LO2, LO3
3	Propose alternative policy responses to address a contemporary policing problem	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Issues Scoping Paper

Task Description:

Position Paper / Scoping Paper (individual; summative)

Further to the piece submit as part of assessment task 2, assessment task 3 focuses on a proposed response or a summary of evidence as per the current state of EBP that is relevant to your topic of choice.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

45 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Provide an overview of the critical issues in addressing a contemporary policing problem	LO1, LO3
2	Synthesise the research and policy evidence needed to address a contemporary policing program	LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Propose an authentic, realistic response to a contemporary police problem	LO3, LO5

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

All required reading has been placed into MyLO.

These materials will be useful to your developing knowledge and understanding of the content in this unit, but you are not required to purchase anything, unless you absolutely want to. When seeking sources of evidence to support your assignment work, you will find these a useful starting point. These materials are available for a limited loan period from the University Library collection