A study of the use of Problem-Based Learning in police education to consider whether the knowledge, skills, behaviours and ethical decision-making of

A study of the use of Problem-Based Learning in police education to consider whether the knowledge, skills, behaviours and ethical decision-making of police recruits is improved.

I plan to study the use of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) within police education by creating a range of innovative learning resources which will be delivered to UK police recruits to assess PBL as an effective method of linking academic learning with improved skills and behaviour.

Successive reports criticised police officers for racist, misogynistic and homophobic behaviour alongside unethical and unjustifiable decision making (Scarman, 1981; McPherson, 1999; Casey, 2023), demonstrating clear methodological failures in police education. Neyroud (2011) initiated police professionalisation through mandated university qualifications yet despite hideous examples of officer misconduct (eg Wayne Couzens, David Carrick), some Chief Constables perceive higher education as too-academic for policing.

With indications that traditional police education delivers low standards and persistent misconduct, police education which raises standards and performance is required; I propose that PBL which has its roots in 'experiential learning' (Dewey, 1938) as a method of linking theory with ethical behaviour, practice and skills is particularly relevant to policing.

PBL is embedded within education for comparable professions such as nursing whilst relatively few studies have researched PBL within police education, with limited UK research conducted. A series of PBL scenarios will be created aligned with policing topics such as crime investigation, searches and counter-terrorism; and utilising innovative technology including immersive films and virtual reality, will be delivered to UK student police officers.

Quantitative and Qualitative data collected will demonstrate the performance of ethical, practical and academic policing skills which will inform subsequent recommendations on the use of PBL within police education.