Bachelor of Policing Practices

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Policing Practices is to equip learners with the competencies required to function at a junior to middle level management within the Law Enforcement environment. The work environment is in a constant state of flux, and learners will be equipped with skills to ensure quality service delivery to both internal and external clients in the constantly changing environment in which they work. Through the achievement of this qualification, managers within the policing and law enforcement environment will be able to ensure improved service, professionalism, and quality of service delivery, thereby contributing to the creation of public trust and providing a safe and secure community environment, which will also enhance economic growth.

This qualification is ideal for learners who would like to follow a career in Policing Practices and focuses on general management issues and enhancing service delivery in the Law Enforcement environment. The outcomes of this qualification may be achieved in any relevant context and specifically include the South African Police Service, the Military Police Service, the Traffic Police Service, the Namibian Police Service, and the Metro Police Service. With the skills and competencies obtained through this qualification, learners will be able to manage processes to enhance professionalism of the Law Enforcement sub-field, as well as undertake tasks with a high level of integrity and business ethics as either Police Officials or Traffic and Metropolitan Law Enforcement Officials.

The Exit Level Outcomes of this qualification are aligned to the purpose of the qualification. Achievement of these learning outcomes will provide graduates with the skills and competencies to access the Law Enforcement environment at a middle to senior management level, provided they meet the entry requirements of the industry. Graduates who are already employed in the industry will have the skills and competencies to advance their careers.

Upon successful completion of this programme, learners will be able to

• Strategically manage and lead human, financial, physical, and information resources through effective organisational relations and practices to achieve strategic goals.
• Apply managerial functions within a police specific environment daily for consistency and efficiency.
• Manage the legal framework by ensuring police adherence to the prescripts of the law to function strategically and effectively within a range of situations.
• Manage crime prevention by utilising specialised management skills to function strategically and effectively with a range of situations.
• Manage community service centres by utilising specialised managerial skills to function strategically and effectively within a range of situations.
• Manage crime detection and intelligence by utilising specialised management skills to function strategically and effectively within a range of situations.
• Manage the rendering of quality service-oriented policing to the community and foreigners to strengthen the image and partnership with the communities and foreigners.
• Understand the principles of research and project management.
• Manage the provisioning of training and assessments within a policing environment with emphasis on creating competent officials.
• Manage internal quality management systems to enable the organisation to reflect on whether organisational needs have been met.
• Manage international relations and cooperation for policing with the focus on building partnerships, relations, and development to support foreign police agencies.

At the end of this qualification, learners will have the skills, knowledge, and attributes to

• Manage human, financial, physical, and information resources.
• Apply the functions of management daily within the workplace.
• Manage crime prevention.
• Manage community service centres.
• Manage crime detection and intelligence.
• Offer superior levels of quality service within the industry.
• Undertake research.
• Manage projects.
• Build and develop relationships with stakeholders in the environment.
• Conduct themselves ethically and professionally within the communities that they serve.
• Understand community safety and security needs and use their skills and competencies to achieve these requirements.

The HEQSF (2013) states that the bachelor's degree provides a well-grounded, broad education that equips graduates with the knowledge base, theory, and methodology of disciplines and fields of study to enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic or professional context. The bachelor's degree emphasises general principles and theory as preparation for entry into general employment or for a postgraduate qualification.

Rationale

The National Development Plan (2030) indicates that safety is a human right, and when communities do not feel safe, the country's economic development and the people's well-being are adversely affected. Achieving the vision of a safe South Africa requires a well-functioning criminal justice system in which the police, the judiciary, and the correctional services work together to ensure that suspects are caught, prosecuted, convicted, if guilty, securely incarcerated, and rehabilitated. The South African Police Service aims to develop professionalism and discipline among its members. Professional police will uphold the integrity of the police service. These officials will be knowledgeable about the law and their roles, carry out their functions competently, and understand their responsibility to serve communities.

The South African Police Service indicated that they needed their employees to have formal qualifications if they wanted to be deemed eligible for promotion in the industry. The Bachelor of Policing Practices was developed in conjunction with the South African Police Service to specifically address the national, regional, and local priorities of the South African Police Service.

Further to this, the programme allows for graduates to progress to the Bachelor of Policing Practices: Honours and ultimately the Master's in Policing Practices and the Doctor of Policing.

This qualification reflects the workplace-based needs of the Law Enforcement sector that relate to managerial competencies in the field. The sector will benefit from this qualification by developing entry-level to middle-management skills to enhance the functioning of the law enforcement agencies through graduates who can provide service excellence and efficient human resources. This qualification will improve performance excellence and will enhance relationships between both internal and external clients of the Law Enforcement environment. The qualification will develop a competent and professional cadre of managers to ensure the effective delivery of relevant and appropriate policing services. Further to this, 99% of the learners on this programme are already employed in the Law Enforcement environment and require a formal qualification to apply for promotion in the industry. Those who are unemployed but wish to gain access to the industry will use this qualification, provided they meet the entry requirements of the industry.

Graduates of this programme will contribute to providing a safe and secure environment for all the people of South Africa by functioning as either Police Officials or Traffic and Metropolitan Law Enforcement Officials.

The development of this programme was completed in collaboration with the South African Police Services. The South African Police Services wanted a qualification to be developed that met industry needs and provided employees with a formal qualification necessary for career advancement.

This qualification is intended for learners from both South Africa and Namibia who would like to follow a career in Policing Practices and focuses on management issues and enhancing service delivery in the Law Enforcement environment. The outcomes of this qualification may be achieved in any relevant context and specifically include the South African Police Service, Military Police Service, Traffic Police Service, Metro Police Service, and the Namibian Police Force.

This qualification is for learners who are pursuing management careers within the Law Enforcement environment. It provides learners with opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the broader constituencies of the Safety in Society community and will provide them with a vehicle through which to develop as competent managers who stay abreast of the changing and dynamic environment of policing.

Graduates of this qualification will typically operate in the areas of crime prevention, crime detection, community service centres, and support within the Law Enforcement environment. Through the availability of this qualification, managers within the policing environment will be able to provide top-class service, improve professionalism, and enhance the quality of service delivery, thereby contributing to the creation of public trust and achieving the vision of the sector.

Learners who apply the competencies achieved in this qualification are normally employed in junior to middle management positions as either Police Officials or Traffic and Metropolitan Law Enforcement Officials. Graduates of this programme will also be able to plan, organise, lead, manage, and control human, financial, physical, and information resources in the Law Enforcement environment to achieve the objectives of the organisation. The skills, knowledge, and understanding demonstrated within this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation and contribute to the upliftment and economic growth within the Law Enforcement environment.

Graduates of this qualification will be professional officials who have the graduate attributes envisioned in the National Development Plan (2030). They will have the ability to apply for access to a police service that conforms to minimum standards for recruitment, selection, appointment, and promotion.

The qualification can provide graduates with access to the Bachelor of Policing Practices: Honours at NQF Level 8, 120 credits. Graduates of this programme will also be able to vertically articulate into the Master of Policing.

The qualification will provide learners with the competencies required to function at a junior to middle management level within the Law Enforcement environment. This environment is constantly in a state of flux, and learners will be equipped with the skills to ensure quality service delivery to both internal and external clients in the constantly changing environment in which they work. Graduates of this programme will carry out the duties of either Police Officials or Traffic and Metropolitan Law Enforcement Officials. The sector and the economy will benefit from the skills and competencies of these learners as they use their management, supervisory, and organisational abilities to stabilise a sector that is pressed for employees who are able to use their skills practically and vitally. Graduates of this qualification will serve their community ethically and professionally to achieve safety in society.

The qualification will benefit the learners in that those who are employed in the Law Enforcement environment will be able to apply skills and competencies at a level that may result in promotion and/or salary review within the industry. Learners who are not already employed within the Law Enforcement environment will have the skills and competencies to apply for entry to middle-level management positions as a Police Officer or a Traffic and Metropolitan Law Enforcement Official, providing they meet the entry-level requirements of the industry.

The Law Enforcement environment in South Africa is an environment that is under pressure from the country's citizens and the government to employ staff members who are suitably qualified and can apply management skills in the environment in a way that promotes quality in service delivery. Human resources in this environment need to be efficient and must be able to operate effectively to meet the needs of both internal and external stakeholders. Further to this, stakeholders require officials within the Law Enforcement environment who have a strategic focus on crime detection and crime prevention. The stakeholders require leaders who are employed in junior to middle management as either Police Officials or Traffic and Metropolitan Law Enforcement Officials with skills that enhance the functioning of the law enforcement agencies.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution is committed to achieving inclusion and overcoming barriers to access and success in higher education. Applicants who do not meet the stated admission criteria, but who have relevant work experience and/or prior learning, may apply for admission under the policy on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The institution admits a maximum of 10% per cohort via RPL.

The implementation of RPL is context-specific, in terms of discipline, programme, and level.

In specified circumstances, qualifying applicants may also engage in the RPL for exemption process, where any form of informal, formal, or non-formal learning will be assessed for relevance towards possible module exemption.

Learners who have completed credits at another higher education institution may apply for the transfer of those credits in line with the institution's CAT policy. The recognition of credits for transfer from one qualification to another is determined by the nature of the qualifications, the relationship between them, the nature, complexity, and extent of the curricula associated with the specific subjects to be recognised for credit, and the nature of the assessment used. A maximum of 50% of credits of a completed qualification may be transferred via CAT, while all credits from an incomplete qualification may be transferred, provided that no more than 50% of the credits on the receiving qualification are awarded via CAT.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), granting access to Bachelor's degree studies.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's degree studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate (SC) with endorsement

Or

• Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice, NQF Level 5

Or

• Higher Certificate in Law Enforcement, NQF Level 5

Or

• Higher Certificate in Law, NQF Level 5.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5, 6, and 7, totalling 370 credits.

Select one specialisation from the following

Police Officials

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 60 Credits

• Police Management I, 30 Credits.
• End User Computing, 10 Credits.
• Communication for Policing, 10 Credits.
• Police Management Information Systems, 10 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 5, 20 Credits (Select one module)

• Training Management I, 20 Credits
• Criminology I, 20 Credits

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 120 Credits

• Crime Prevention Management I, 20 Credits.
• Service Oriented Policing I, 20 Credits.
• Police Management IIA, 20 Credits.
• Police Management IIB, 20 Credits.
• Crime Detection Management I, 20 Credits.
• Ethics and Police Practice, 20 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 6, 20 Credits (Select one module)

• Training Management II, 20 Credits
• Criminology II, 20 Credits

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 150 Credits

• Crime Prevention Management II, 20 Credits.
• Service Oriented Policing II, 20 Credits.
• Police Management IIIA, 20 Credits.
• Crime Prevention Management III, 30 Credits.
• Crime Detection Management II, 20 Credits.
• Police Management IIIB, 20 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 20 Credits.

OR

Traffic and Metropolitan Law Enforcement

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 60 Credits

• Police Management I, 30 Credits.
• End User Computing, 10 Credits.
• Communication for Policing, 10 Credits.
• Traffic Information Systems, 10 Credits.
• Elective Modules, NQF Level 5, 20 Credits (Select one module):
• Public Sector Management I, 20 Credits
• Crime Prevention Management I, 20 Credits.
• Training Management I Criminology I, 20 Credits

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 120 Credits

• Traffic Police Science I, 20 Credits
• Service-Oriented Policing I, 20 Credits
• Police Management IIA, 20 Credits
• Police Management IIB, 20 Credits
• Road Traffic Management I, 20 Credits
• Ethics and Police Practice, 20 Credits

Elective Modules, NQF Level 6, 20 Credits (Select one module)

• Public Sector Management II, 20 Credits
• Crime Prevention Management II, 20 Credits
• Training Management II, 20 Credits
• Criminology II, 20 Credits

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 150 Credits

• Traffic Police Science II, 20 Credits.
• Service Oriented Policing II, 20 Credits.
• Police Management IIIA, 20 Credits.
• Traffic Police Science III, 30 Credits.
• Road Traffic Management II, 20 Credits.
• Police Management IIIB, 20 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 20 Credits.

1. Strategically manage and lead human, financial, physical, and information resources through effective organisational relations and practices to achieve strategic goals.
2. Apply managerial functions within a police specific environment daily for consistency and efficiency.
3. Manage the legal framework by ensuring police adherence to the prescripts of the law to function strategically and effectively within a range of situations.
4. Manage crime prevention by utilising specialised management skills to function strategically and effectively with a range of situations.
5. Manage community service centres by utilising specialised managerial skills to function strategically and effectively within a range of situations.
6. Manage crime detection and intelligence by utilising specialised management skills to function strategically and effectively within a range of situations.
7. Manage the rendering of quality service-oriented policing to the community and foreigners to strengthen the image and partnership with the communities and foreigners.

8 Understand the principles of research and project management.

1. Manage the provisioning of training and assessments within a policing environment with emphasis on creating competent officials.
2. Manage internal quality management systems to enable the organisation to reflect on whether organisational needs have been met.
3. Manage international relations and cooperation for policing with the focus on building partnerships, relations, and development to support foreign police agencies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Manage organisational policies and procedures in planning, implementation, and quality control practices to support decision-making.
• Set, monitor, measure, and review strategic plans, goals, and objectives against actual developments using a sound methodological rationale.
• Harness diversity to promote teams for effective performance to achieve set goals and objectives and ensure quality service delivery.
• Optimise the utilisation of information systems to improve service delivery.
• Apply communication techniques to optimise the impact and effectiveness of the management approach for quality service delivery.
• Conduct on-the-job training to achieve strategic objectives.
• Implement generic management functions daily for consistency and efficiency.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Identify managerial functions to apply these functions in a policing environment.
• Apply techniques in the daily functions by the supervisors and managers.

Communication refers to but is not limited to end-user computing, written and verbal communication, and language proficiency (in English).

• Apply principles of management are applied in various situations by supervisors.
• Apply principles of management in various managerial situations.
• Analyse and apply various management processes to management situations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify and apply the legal framework for law enforcement and policing in various situations related to policing.
• Coordinate and supervise the application of the legal framework, in relation to the execution of policing tasks.
• Analyse the linkages between the legal framework for policing and other legal frameworks in relation to their impact on policing activities.
• Note: Other legal frameworks refer to but are not limited to Administrative Law, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, and other relevant private law.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Optimise the utilisation of information systems to effectively combat crime.
• Utilise, review, and revise different approaches against actual developments in the crime > Compile operational plans to direct and optimise the utilisation of resources during operations.
• Execute and implement targeted interventions to ensure a reduction in crime in accordance with operational strategies and concepts.
• Develop integrated strategies to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach towards crime reduction.
• Utilise monitoring systems to ensure the effectiveness of operational planning and execution processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Capture and utilise information to activate the judicial process.
• Synergise activities within the CSC in line with strategic objectives and policies.
• Render quality service to the community reflecting the Batho Pele principles.
• Manage organisational procedures regarding custody, property, and financial management to reduce losses and claims within the environment.
• Manage the activities of members to enhance quality performance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Utilise specialised managerial skills optimally in accordance with legislation and policies to manage the crime detection process.
• Strategically and effectively manage and filter Information and intelligence to enhance crime detection.
• Manage the collection and preservation of evidence for forensic and other purposes in accordance with relevant applicable policies.
• Critically analyse case dockets to give individual guidance for investigations and problem-solving.
• Manage media liaison in matters relating to crime detection in accordance with prescribed organisational policies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Recognise Government Policy with regard to community and foreigner relationships to strengthen the relationships.
• Identify and apply concepts related to National and International relations and cooperation for policing within the law enforcement environment to obtain cooperation between policing establishments.
• Identify and recognize that Bi-National and Bi-Lateral agreements aid development.
• Recognise the role of INTERPOL, SADC, and SARPCCO, Local Policing Forums, and Legislative structures as a tool to strengthen relationships between international policing agencies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Describe the foundations of research in relation to the ethical principles and practices of research.
• Describe the methodologies, steps, role, and aim of research in relation to research in general
• Illustrate the different scales of measurement and the preparation of data scales of tendency by using practical examples.
• Illustrate the difference between research and project management by applying it to the law enforcement work environment.
• Compile and present a research proposal on a specific topic related to policing or law enforcement.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Analyse training needs to ensure that the organisation can better serve the clients.
• Evaluate ssessment methods, tools, and practical needs to align the organisation with accepted standards.
• Manage the training and development activities in the organisation to support the organisation's transformation objectives.
• Identify and analyse the training and development processes to ascertain whether they reflect the human resource development requirements in accordance with the human resource strategy of the organisation.
• Identify and utilise education, training, and development activities and processes to promote the competence of officials to coordinate government communication activities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Analyse quality management systems currently used to ascertain weaknesses and strengths in line with the needs of the organisation.
• Draft future quality management systems in line with organisational needs.
• Apply Government communication processes to demonstrate a positive effect on the organisation and its relationship with its stakeholders.
• Apply principles, regulations, and legislation underlying supply chain management in accordance with the procedures and protocols of the public sector.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

• Analyse the bigger role of INTERPOL in relation to police functions.
• Illustrate the role of education, training, and development within international relations and cooperation.
• Assess the international role of policing regarding to globalisation, crime combating, and dignitaries.
• Evaluate the role of foreign embassies and NGOs in relation to their roles and functions within the policing environment.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

The institutional assessment model uses formal and non-formal, formative and summative assessment tasks to assess learners' progress and their achievements on the modules in a programme. The results of non-formal formative assessment tasks are not recorded formally, but these tasks are applied mainly to provide feedback to the learner and to enhance teaching. The results of formal assessment tasks are recorded towards the achievement of success of modules. Modules may use a Final summative or a continuous assessment approach.

The institution is committed to learner success, and as a result, the Assessment Policy guarantees multiple formal assessment opportunities to allow learners to improve their performance based on feedback from the lecturer. An assessment strategy is drafted for each module by the Module Coordinator, in consultation with the Discipline Leader. The nature of the subject matter informs the combination of assessment tasks and their allotted weightings. The assessment strategy is contained in the Assessment Guideline document, which is made available to learners on the first day of the semester/year.

The assessment strategy will either employ a continuous assessment strategy, or a final summative approach. Where a continuous assessment strategy is used, the total assessment weight will be distributed appropriately over three formal assessment tasks. Where a final summative approach is used, the final mark on a module comprises a semester/year mark (SYM), as well as a final summative assessment mark (FIS). The SYM is made up of a combination of different assessment tasks, each with its own weighting. The FIS is often in the form of an invigilated examination, but it may be offered in alternative formats, such as an individual/group project which culminates in a written report, followed up by a presentation. In cases where continuous assessment is used, the FIS is replaced by a series of formative and summative assessments that take place throughout the semester/year.

Depending on the nature of the subject matter, a range of assessment methods is applied at formative and summative assessment stages to facilitate authentic assessment. For panel discussions, presentations, and project work, experts from industry are often invited to provide input into the formal assessment results, along with the institution examiners.

Internal and external moderation is undertaken by the institution for all assessment processes. The purpose of moderation is to check for accuracy and validity in the practice of assessment to enhance consistency and standardisation across the board. A further aim is to reduce bias, promote the integrity and quality of the academic project. The institution uses both internal and external moderation, and moderation happens when assessment tasks are drafted (pre-moderation), as well as post-assessment (post-moderation), when learner work is being assessed.

Internal moderators will ensure the reliability of the assessment procedures and will comment on the validity of the assessment instruments, the quality of learner performance, and the standard of learner attainment. Internal moderators will be nominated by the relevant department and approved by the Head of School and will be required to have relevant academic qualifications higher than the exit level of the qualification, as well as experience in assessment.

External moderators will comment on the validity of the assessment instruments, the quality of learner performance and the standard of learner attainment, the reliability of the marking process, and any concerns or irregularities with respect to the observation of institutional regulations. External moderators will be nominated by the relevant department and approved by the Head of School and will have relevant academic qualifications higher than the exit level of the qualification, as well as experience in assessment.

Distance learning learners who fail a module that is assessed on the final summative assessment approach will be granted a supplementary registration opportunity in the next available semester, subject to the following rules.