Unit Outline

This unit examines the roles that police and other public safety organisations play in society as a major agency of government responsible for the critical functions of order maintenance and law enforcement. Its purpose is to develop knowledge and skills in three broad areas of study: the historical evolution of policing and general public safety; the relationship between police and other public safety organisations, with a particular emphasis on the effects of Australia’s political structure on front line policing and public safety; issues concerning integrity and professionalism. This introductory level unit lays the foundation to begin integrating relevant concepts and principles with practice in policing and public safety, and to assist in the development of ethical, professional frameworks of public safety practice (including policing).

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	Explain the management structures through which police and public safety are governed.
2	Explain how and why managerialism has been adopted in contemporary policing organisations.
3	Describe how the structures of Australia’s political system affect police and public safety organisations.
4	Demonstrate how structures of Australia’s political system are linked together through accountability, equity and integrity.
5	Explain how accountability, equity and integrity mechanisms impact on police legitimacy and police management structures within broad public safety frameworks.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

There has been no amendments as a result of student feedback.

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:	Invigilated Examination	See the MyLO site for the due date	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Online Test	Week 6	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Critical Analysis	Week 10	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 4:	Final Exam	Week 12	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Invigilated Examination

Task Description:

This exam will test your knowledge of policies, procedures and legislation that have been covered across the unit and their application with regards to public safety.

Task Length:

1 hour

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply knowledge of policies, procedures and legislation that relate to public safety.	LO1, LO2, LO5
2	Apply knowledge of integrity, equity and accountability principles as they apply to public safety actors.	LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 2: Online Test

Task Description:

This test will be conducted mid-semester on a particular topic area from the unit. There are five tests for you to complete for each module.

Task Length:

5 progressive tests per module

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate and apply knowledge of policies, procedures and legislation.	LO1, LO2, LO5
2	Apply knowledge of integrity, equity and accountability in decision-making.	LO4, LO5
3	Demonstrate understanding of the role of the constable, and the broader role of police in society.	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Critical Analysis

Task Description:

You’ll be required to write a critical analysis on a choice of topics. Your analysis must include supporting references to literature provided in the unit. Choose ONE (1) of the following:

Option 1 (Managerialism):
Critically evaluate the use of performance management (metrics, quotas, etc.) for police officers and other public safety actors. Does the use of performance management improve performance and accountability? If so, why? If not, why not? Support your analysis with reference to Unit contents and independent research.

Option 2 (Professionalisation):
Critically evaluate the relationship between UTAS and Tasmania Police. Is the integration of university study with policing beneficial to the professionalisation and integrity of public safety? If so, why? If not, why not? Support your analysis with reference to Unit documents (available on MyLO) and independent research.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically analyse how police organisations and other public safety organisations are impacted by managerialism or professionalisation initiatives.	LO1, LO2
2	Use case studies, literature and internal unit documents to support analysis.	LO4
3	Identify connections between managerialism or professionalisation and front-line public safety.	LO3, LO4
4	Identify and analyse how managerialism or professionalisation affect integrity and ethics in policing.	LO5

Assessment Task 4: Final Exam

Task Description:

This exam will test your knowledge of policies, procedures and legislation that have been covered across the unit.

Task Length:

1 hour

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge of policies, procedures and legislation.	LO1, LO2, LO5
2	Apply knowledge of the role of police and other public safety actors in society.	LO3, LO4

How your final result is determined

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

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.