Postgraduate Diploma in Policing

Purpose

The purpose of the postgraduate Diploma in Policing is to equip learners to acquire practical knowledge and essential skills in conducting research to achieve service excellence in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and Policing environment through effective management. Learners will be knowledgeable and acquire skills in disciplines such as advancing leadership potentials in the understanding and handling of a high-risk situation within the context of policing and crime intelligence both locally and internationally. The qualification enriches learners' personal attributes emphasizing not only academic knowledge acquisition but also leadership and practice skills in the criminal justice field. The fundamental stream in Public Order and Adaptive Leadership, policing as well as Crime Intelligence specifically aims to provide comprehensive training for both non-active individuals as well as practicing police officials to equip them with the professional competence to manage rising public expectations in Policing related work.

Learners will be coached to acquire progressive practice knowledge and research skills in the understanding of complex contemporary issues and the handling of critical situations pertaining to Policing.

This qualification is intended to provide policing and intelligence professionals, whether they are in law enforcement, national security, or public or private sectors with the opportunity to undertake studies at the postgraduate level in policing and intelligence. The qualification is designed to equip learners with the ability to respond critically to major security, policing, and defence issues both locally and internationally. Learners will gain knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues in policing namely: Public Order and Adaptive Leadership, policing as well as Crime Intelligence and criminal justice-related studies. This qualification is to deliver learners with specialized, in-depth knowledge and higher-order skills to substantially enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the role players in the CJS and Policing environment. Qualifying learners will be able to work independently on a tactical and strategic level in a safe and secure environment. This qualification will also practically develop learners' analytical and research skills relevant to law enforcement officials, with a particular application in the wider CJS and Policing environment. The qualification is targeted toward building a repertoire of conceptual, basic, and practical research skills and competencies that will enable learners to successfully prepare for and subsequently complete independent research in the form of a research report.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Explore contemporary issues in policing that cover aspects such as youth and crime, public order aspects, military in domestic policing, police organization and methods, transnational crime, police and policing, police accountability, integrity and oversight, victimology, and forensic psychology.
• Apply research methods in case studies, research articles, peer evaluation of preliminary writing a proposal, literature reviews, data analysis and discussion of research finding, writing conclusion and recommendations of a research report.
• Plan and execute quantitative research to systematically appraise theoretical and practical knowledge of quantitative research design, sampling, operationalization, instrument design, and data handling and analysis.
• Compile the research report on the contemporary issues in Policing, applied and quantitative research methods.

Rationale

The shortage of skills in many organizational industries including the CJS and Policing environment poses a threat to the potential growth of the country. In the South African Police Service (SAPS) or Criminal Justice environment, officials are required to write reports and summations to respond to concerns or emerging issues from communities. This qualification will focus on the application of research skills and report writing skills that learners need to ensure that they provide the expected service to the community. The qualification will further ensure that the learners are able to find recommendations that will address contemporary issues and concerns from the community. The qualification will contribute to the high-level skill development and capacity building in the country by producing competent and professional research-driven learners in an ever-changing law enforcement environment. A diverse variety of stakeholders were consulted in the development and the design of the qualification. The qualification is designed and aligned with all relevant internal and external agencies to address the changing needs identified, through advisory boards. The need for the qualification was identified during an annual advisory board meeting. The advisory board members consist of various safety and security practitioners and academia in the field of law enforcement.

This qualification focuses on equipping learners with advanced communication skills and knowledge to enable them to manage advanced operational and managerial functions in a law enforcement environment. The Departmental Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) composed of representatives from SAPS, Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and other academics from higher learning institutions was established in 2019. The minutes of the SAPS Tertiary Institution Meeting (2019) as well as Terms of Reference (ToR) highlighted the purpose of the Traffic Metropolitan Department and the AAC forum. The qualification was supported by the industry since it is in line with professionalisation efforts of the industry and will equip learners with in-depth knowledge, skills and competencies which will result in the application of research and thus help improve the shortage of skills in the industry in terms of research that play a meaningful role in CJS and Policing environment. Due to the sensitive nature of working with victims of crime, police officials/learners should acquire this specialised knowledge, skills, and competencies at the post-diploma level.

The crime statistics on murder rates indicate that South Africa struggles with very high levels of crime and violence. The country ranks in the top ten worst countries that report crime statistics according to the most recent data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Crime patterns identified require skilled security and law enforcement personnel to critically analyse and address the gaps in crime patterns and the ability to plan intelligence-driven operations. To address the crime trends this qualification will prepare learners to:

• Critically analyse and address the gaps in identifying crime patterns and be able to plan intelligence-driven.
• Solve and identify organised crimes and be able to apply best police practices in solving complex crimes in society.
• Apply best practice approach regarding complex managerial project management methods in a law enforcement environment.

Upon successful completion, graduates from this qualification will be competent to perform a variety of functions that will contribute to the achievement of a high standard of excellence within disciplines. The qualification aims to provide learners with academic and professional quality knowledge and experience in managing critical factors appertaining to the enhancement of policing, public order, criminal justice, and intelligence-related fields. These activities are extensive but are all aimed at providing an essential service to the community. The qualification specifically would further provide both frontline practitioners and junior managers in the CJS environment, or other service-related personnel working in the field of policing, with professional knowledge and skills, such as:

• Early identification and handling of vulnerable individuals and groups in the community,
• Crime detection,
• Leadership in crisis management.
• Analysis of current issues in law-and-order maintenance.

This qualification is specifically aimed at ensuring that learners become institutional and operational professionals by equipping them with the in-depth knowledge, skills, and competencies in conducting research that plays a meaningful role in CJS and Policing environment. Such highly well-equipped professionals will make a huge contribution to fulfilling the needs and aspirations and Constitutional rights of the South African people. This is inter-alia also in the interest of stakeholders such as the Department of Police. It is pertinently highlighted in the National Development Plan Vision (NDP) (2030) that professionalism in Policing is to improve to reduce civil claims brought about by police unethical behaviour. This could be achieved if Policing qualifications within the wider CJS, and Policing are administered by professional police officials as well as law enforcement officials. This will certainly be in the interest of the government's objective and responsibility to ensure that people living in South Africa feel safe at home, at school and at work, and enjoy a community life free of fear. In addition to that, a reduction in crime will contribute to the economic well-being of the country. This qualification is designed in such a way that on its completion, graduates can progress vertically to a Master's degree in Policing and horizontally have access to Honours degrees in Policing and the wider CJS field, as well as other niche areas of Safety in Society.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regard to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor in Policing Practices, NQF Level 7.
• Advanced Diploma in Policing, NQF Level 7.
• Advanced Diploma in Traffic and Metropolitan Policing, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8,120 Credits

• Contemporary Issues in Policing, 30 Credits.
• Applied Research Methods in Policing, 30 Credits.
• Quantitative research methods in Policing, 30 Credits.
• Research Report, 30 Credits.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of theories on contemporary issues in criminal justice and policing.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of research methodologies in criminal justice and policing related fields.
3. Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding of the principles and practices relating to intelligence gathering and management.
4. Engage and apply the principles relating to best practice in one field of specialisation such as Policing, Criminal Justice System and General Law Enforcement.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify, critically evaluate, and analyse contemporary issues in policing such as the military involvement/ participation in domestic policing or law enforcement in South Africa and internationally.
• Identify contemporary problems in the criminal justice system of South Africa and seek solutions.
• Present academically and communicate to peers the identified contemporary issues to the contemporary problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Conduct the research process in practice within the criminal justice and policing related fields.
• Produce a research report in the criminal justice and policing related fields.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop a deep understanding of data, and how to interpret patterns in it using various analytical methodologies.
• Identify and apply a range of prediction technologies and competitive analytical techniques increasingly being used by intelligence officers and investigators.
• Apply these skills to a range of examples including but not limited to fraud, counterterrorism, money laundering and other commercial related crimes.
• Explore a multi-disciplinary approach from different intelligence contexts, national security, policing, and business and learn from other practice areas.
• Apply analytics skills for the intelligence practitioner, investigators, and managers in their agencies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Explain the purposes and functions of correctional services, the police and other law enforcement agencies.
• Analyse and critically evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of correctional services, the police and other law enforcement agencies.
• Analyse and critically evaluate the impact of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights on correctional services, the police and other law enforcement agencies.
• Explore and evaluate the involvement of the community in policing and law enforcement.
• Critically evaluate community corrections, parole, and the rehabilitation of offenders as correctional strategies.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment will be achieved by a variety of strategies. The qualification will be awarded to a learner who would have achieved the required fundamental and core modules. Evidence is also required to prove that the learner can completely achieve the purpose of the qualification at the time of the award of the qualification.

The integrated approach incorporating formative and summative assessment procedures will be utilised to determine whether learners have successfully achieved the stipulated outcomes and demonstrate applied competence.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment involves integrated types of assessment, used to inform learners about their progress on a continuous basis throughout the whole year.

Formative assessment will include

• Case study analysis.
• Problem-solving analysis.
• Oral presentations.
• Peer and self-assessments.

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment refers to an assessment which will take place at the end of a learning experience. Results are expressed in marks in terms of the level of competence achieved, regarding level descriptors, and associated assessment criteria. This assessment is also used for promotional purposes. Summative assessments will be in a form of:

• Semester tests,
• Semester assignments.
• Examinations.