New military police link

The University has signed an agreement to provide accreditation of the training and education for investigators within the military police, the only UK university to do so.

The agreement is with the Defence College for Police and Guarding in Southwick Park, Portsmouth. The College has historical significance as the place where General Eisenhower decided to proceed with the Normandy landings in 1944. It is a combined military school and training facility for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Police, the Royal Military Police and the Royal Air Force Police.

Through the agreement, over 200 military police personnel will complete short courses accredited by the University. The courses will vary in level of complexity, at advanced and intermediate level. The advanced will cover investigations ranging from murders and rapes, while the intermediate examines other crimes such as burglaries and thefts.

They will be undertaken by appropriate military personnel or specialists from various ranks. These include non-commissioned officers, for example corporals or staff sergeants and commissioned officers, such as pilot officers and captains.

The University link with Southwick Park came about through Ian Pepper, Principal Lecturer in Policing at the University. Working with Squadron Leader Dawn Thompson, Officer Commanding Joint Training and Development Team at Southwick Park, Ian wrote an article for a military brochure advertising university courses. This started a dialogue between the two organisations, evolving into the short courses, which will be mainly delivered by Southwick Park staff.

Ian said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a very diverse policing arena. It expands the provision that we already offer with Cleveland and West Mercia police forces. Although the courses are studied at the College, the military personnel can be deployed anywhere in the world, from a ship to a garrison to an air station. ‘It gives military personnel the chance to have their knowledge and skills recognised for the future when they leave the services. Some of them may have served for many years and may not have any formal qualifications that are recognised outside the military. The University is providing recognition for their experience which can be transferred into their current and future careers.

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