Online seminar: Improving retention in police forces through effective support of policing students and recruits

First presentation: 

Abigail Salter, Department for Policing on An Academic Perspective on Learning/Mentoring

Abigail joined The Open University Faculty of Business and Law School in 2018, bringing a strong background in policing as a former Detective Sergeant with the Metropolitan Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary. Since joining the OU, Abigail has taken on roles within our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, the Degree Holder Entry Programmes, and the Police Constable Entry Programme.  Passionate about scholarly work related to teaching and learning, Abigail has conducted several scholarship projects with SciLab and Pan University Cross Faculty scholarship funding. Her dedication to education has led to the publication of a book chapter and presentations at both UK and international conferences. 

Abigail is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education within the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education, and Language Studies. The research she has proposed aims to address a gap in the literature that often overlooks the subjective aspects of learning and the process of learning, by focusing on how police officers experience their workplace learning and how these experiences contribute to their professional development.  Understanding the lived experiences of police officers regarding their workplace learning is essential as the profession becomes increasingly professionalised. Understanding this helps ensure that the training provided aligns with the evolving demands of the profession, leading to greater job satisfaction which is critical for retention.  Abigail will be presenting her findings of a scoping literature review which sought to explore what is already known about policing within a work-based learning lens.  

Second presentation:

Dr Jennifer Norman, Department for Policing on Tutoring and Learning for Experienced Officers

Dr Jennifer Norman, Head of Policing at the OU will be presenting a snapshot of finding from her PhD study. This study was a five-year longitudinal investigation into the experiences and perceptions of police officers and staff who undertook police-related degrees. The research draws on 113 surveys and 62 interviews conducted at four different time points, capturing both the study period and post-graduation reflections. Findings highlight the pivotal role of knowledge in police professionalisation, revealing a complex and often contradictory relationship between police education and organisational receptivity.

Third presentation:

James Dickety, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary on Supporting Policing Students 

James is a Detective Constable from Hampshire and Isle of Wight working in their Investigation Workforce Development Team who support students from their interest in becoming a PIP2 investigator all the way through until their accreditation, whether that be fast track or traditional route candidates. Alongside this he has recently published a book ‘Supporting Policing Students’ (Supporting Policing Students: A Handbook for Lecturers, Tutors, Coache). James will be presenting some of the findings regarding a recent internal piece of research regarding students and support and also talking about his book.

Contact oupc@open.ac.uk to be forwarded the meeting invite.