A unique collaboration between the School of Social Sciences and the Metropolitan Police Service (Met) has led to Sociology and Criminology students gaining experience of what it is like to be an officer or detective in the service, as well as critical insights into policing, to support their learning.
Students from the new core Level 5 Sociology and Criminology work-based learning module attended a seven-day work placement with the Met at their Hendon training college and New Scotland Yard.
During the placement, the students trained alongside police recruits and heard from the Met’s community stakeholders and colleagues involved in key priority policing areas such as Neighbourhood Policing, Violence Against Women and Girls, Youth Engagement and Professionalism.
Students especially enjoyed learning about Forensics and were able to put their learning into practice in crime scene rooms.
A challenging two-day training session on the interactions between vulnerable people and the police was attended with trainee officers and detectives, who demonstrated their commitment to improving their own practice.
Reflecting on the challenges of working with and speaking out for vulnerable people, one student commented that it was “in such challenging moments, where we really learn what it means to be a sociologist or criminologist”. The students received their placement certificates from Superintendent Tamsin Jones at an awards ceremony at the University on 8 June and the Met was awarded the University’s Employer of the Year award on 13 June, in recognition of their pioneering work. The placement underlines the Metropolitan Police’s commitment to cultural change which includes developing and deepening its community partnerships.
Module leaders Dr Umit Cetin and Dr Celia Jenkins facilitated the placement with the support of Jonathon Osanyingbemi from the Work-Based placement Learning Team. They describe the scheme as a novel and progressive partnership which benefits both students and the Met’s desire to encourage students from diverse backgrounds to consider a future career in the police service to better reflect the communities it serves. At least two students have expressed a keen interest in joining the Met’s graduate entry route after the placement, while another has already started her training.
One of the students said: “The experience I have gained from the placement has given me the knowledge necessary to start a future career in policing that will help me to contribute to the safety of society and recover the trust of women and ethnic minority groups.”
Inspector Nikki Clarke-Rogers, who leads the scheme for the Met, said: “This opportunity has allowed students to see the importance of how we are engaging and working with our London communities.”
The placement will continue next year.
Find out more about Criminology and Sociology courses at the University of Westminster.
