Level 5 Diploma in Professional Policing Practice FAQs

To access comprehensive details about the Level 5 Diploma, its structure, units, and assessment criteria, you can refer to the qualification handbook which offers an in-depth overview of the qualification’s content and requirements.

We’ve streamlined the 15 key areas of the College of Policing curriculum into 10 integrated units by combining overlapping content and weaving core themes throughout. This holistic approach reduces duplication, ensures comprehensive coverage, and aligns fully with national standards for Independent Patrol Status (IPS) and Full Operational Competence (FOC).

The Level 5 Diploma employs a holistic assessment approach, combining various methods to evaluate both theoretical understanding and practical skills, aligned with policing requirements. Assessment methods could include:

• Portfolio of Evidence: Records professional discussions, Q&A sessions, and work-based products.
• Practical Demonstration/Assignment: Assesses task performance in real-world scenarios.
• Observation: Evaluates on-the-job competency.
• Professional Discussion: Allows learners to articulate their knowledge and reflect on practice.
• Written and Practical Examinations: Test both theoretical knowledge and practical skills

Although the Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP) itself is not an accredited course, offering a qualification alongside PCEP provides formal recognition of skills, enhances career prospects, and validates the learner’s competence. It ensures structured, comprehensive training aligned with national standards, boosts employability, and supports progression within the force.

The Level 5 Diploma is a streamlined, vocational qualification focusing on the practical skills and competencies needed for policing. It does not require academic study to degree level, in comparison with the PCDA entry route, but still covers the core knowledge and skills outlined in the national policing curriculum. The Diploma offers a more direct, practice-based pathway into policing, emphasising hands-on experience and operational competence.

Start by discussing your interest with your manager or training team to understand the process specific to your force. They will support you in accessing the qualification and guide you through the necessary steps.

• Speak with Your Line Manager or Training Lead: Express your interest in pursuing the qualification. They can provide guidance on whether your force offers the diploma and how it aligns with your current training.
• Check with Your Force’s Learning and Development Team: Contact the Learning and Development department for specific information on how the qualification is administered and whether your force is accredited with SFJ Awards.
• Confirm Eligibility and RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning): If you’ve already completed parts of the PCEP, your previous learning may count towards the qualification through RPL. Your training lead can assist with this process, supported by External Quality Assurers (EQAs) who ensure fair recognition of your skills.

Yes, learners who are already on the Police Constable Entry Programme can still be registered for the SFJ Awards Level 5 Diploma in Professional Policing Practice. Contact your force’s Learning and Development team to initiate the registration process. They can assist and provide guidance on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to ensure that any training already completed on the PCEP counts towards the qualification.

We’ve introduced a policy for the Level 5 Diploma that allows up to 100% of the qualification criteria to be met through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This means learners can bring forward existing evidence of their skills and knowledge without needing to repeat content they’ve already mastered. To assist you, we’ve developed a comprehensive mapping document that makes it easy to align existing evidence with our qualification requirements. While we provide this resource, we’re also happy to accept your internal documentation as long as it clearly demonstrates alignment with our criteria.

SFJ Awards requires assessors to be occupationally competent, meaning they must have relevant experience and expertise in the specific subject areas they are assessing. This ensures that assessors possess a deep understanding of the industry standards and practices, allowing them to effectively evaluate learner performance and provide meaningful feedback. Whilst a formal qualification is not mandatory, it is considered best practice. You can find a full breakdown of our assessor and IQA requirements within our qualification handbook under section 6.

Any centres that are already approved by SFJ Awards can send their completed Level 5 Diploma in Policing Practice Approval Form and along with their College of Policing QSA report to businessdevelopment@sfjawards.com.

Any organisation looking to gain approval for the qualification that is not already an approved centre would be required to email businessdevelopment@sfjawards.com and go through the centre approval process before applying for delivery of the qualification as it is only available to SFJ Awards approved centres. Fast Track options are available, but this is on a case-by-case basis.