Policing qualification experts SFJ Awards has launched a new Level 3 Award in Understanding Neighbourhood Policing.
The new qualification replaces the Level 3 Award in Understanding Neighbourhood Management, which had been in place for over five years. The original qualification required updating to ensure it remained valid and fit for purpose.
SFJ Awards and the working group, which was made up of individuals from multiple police forces, worked collaboratively to align the new qualification to the College of Policing’s Neighbourhood Policing principles. The new qualification covers the core principles such as engaging communities, solving problems and targeting activity.
The main objective of the new qualification is to provide the underpinning knowledge for those working, or intending to work, in roles that require formal and informal engagement with community partners in neighbourhood policing. It is suitable for individuals working or preparing to work in the police service (including Police Staff, Police Officers, and Police Community Support Officers), social services, neighbourhood watch, or community safety.
The new Labour government has committed to recruiting 13,000 additional neighbourhood officers and PCSOs. Through developing new qualifications like this one and consistently reviewing our current offer in policing, we hope to support the government’s pledge by providing clear routes into the profession and ways for current staff to develop their skills. This new qualification will help to ensure new neighbourhood policing officers have the skills and knowledge to effectively engage with communities and increase public safety.
As with many SFJ Awards qualifications, the new qualification is part of a suite that provides progression to learners. The SFJ Awards Level 5 Award in Neighbourhood and Community Planning, which is the next level up, will also be reviewed soon. Please get in touch with us if you’d like to participate in the review working group.
Find out more about the new Level 3 Award in Understanding Neighbourhood Policing →
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