Pauline clinches Cleveland Police Prize

The study of crime has clearly paid off for Pauline Ramshaw. When she graduates from the University of Teesside today with a Master of Science (MSc) in Social Research Methods, she will also be awarded the Cleveland Police Prize. Pauline will receive the prize from Cleveland Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Brian Bell. The £500 award is a unique initiative between the University’s School of Social Sciences and Cleveland Constabulary, and funded by assets seized from drug dealers.

Pauline, 35, from Norton, Stockton, won the prize for her final MSc dissertation. The 20,000-word project was entitled ‘The contemporary role and function of the community police officer’.

Pauline said: “The project highlighted the capacity and versatility of the community police officer for delivering a variety of police functions, both reactive and proactive. However, due to the demands and pressures facing modern day policing organisations, the community police officer is often redirected away from work with communities, to concentrate upon wider force priorities. The study suggests a failure to recognise the full potential of community police officers.”

The MSc is Pauline’s second degree from the University, in 1999 she achieved a BSc (Hons) degree in Criminology. Over the next year she will continue her research, based on the findings of the MSc project, funded by Middlesbrough Police, Middlesbrough Council and the University. When she completes this Pauline will graduate from the University for a third time, with a PhD. Pauline is also working at the University, as a part time Lecturer in police studies for the Centre for Applied Socio-Legal Studies. She added: “I’ll be putting the £500 prize money towards a holiday for next year, if I can manage to hang on to if for that long!”

Colin Dunnighan, Director of the University’s Centre for Applied Socio-Legal Studies, was one of the Cleveland Police Prize judges. He said: "Pauline was a mature student when she started her studies at the University. She is an excellent example of what can be achieved. Her dissertation demonstrated her academic abilities and I look forward to her being awarded her PhD next year."

Thursday 29 November 1.15pm ceremony

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