As Brexit negotiations continue, Alison Wakefield, Chairman of the Security Institute assesses the implications for security and Brexit calling for practitioners to keep a cool head.

The United Kingdom and EU security

The United Kingdom has been a leading contributor in the development of the European Union’s pan-European security architecture – if not the leading contributor.

One example of the value of its contribution is the role played by the UK in the development of the EU’s counter-terrorism strategy, which is based on the four-pillar construction of the UK’s CONTEST approach.

Another sign of the esteem in which the UK’s security capabilities are held, and perhaps of EU commitment to a close long-term relationship, was the invitation in August 2016 from European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to the UK’s Commissioner, Sir Julian King, to lead the implementation of the EU’s new Security Union strategy.

The EU security wide-ranging partnerships

The Ministry of Defence ‘Global Strategic Trends’ report, the latest edition of which was reviewed by Andrea Berkoff in her article in the winter issue of City Security magazine Global Strategic Trends, refers to the challenges to states of a “rapidly changing environment”, the “need to become more agile”, and the increasing need “to work in partnership with a range of actors”, arguing that “those that do so effectively will gain a substantial competitive advantage”. It is difficult to think of a more far-ranging and effective partnership in the field of security than that of the European Union. The EU security partnership main elements are:

• Europol, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation;
• Eurojust, which facilitates judicial cooperation in criminal matters among agencies of the member states;
• The Second Generation Schengen Information System (SIS II), which enables agencies of the member states to enter and consult alerts on persons or objects;
• The European Arrest Warrant (EAW), a simplified cross-border judicial surrender procedure that replaced the lengthy extradition procedures that used to exist between EU countries;
• The European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS), which connects national criminal databases and allows for information exchange;
• The Prüm Decisions, providing for the automated exchange of DNA, fingerprints and vehicle registration data; and

• Passenger Name Records (PNR), passenger information collected by airlines that is compared against law enforcement databases and shared with Europol and agencies of the member states.

In the Winter 2017 issue of City Security magazine, Stephen Massey and I contributed an article What are the implications of Brexit for security? discussing security and Brexit, and the co-operation between the UK and the EU. In the article, we argued that there was no question that this would continue after Brexit: with the threat of terrorism and serious crime increasing, it is in the interests of both parties that strong co-operation is maintained. We noted that, although there is no precedent for access by non-EU or non-Schengen countries to ECRIS or SIS II, for example, there is equally no precedent for negotiations with a former member state that is such a significant contributor to European security arrangements.

Brexit and security: Future partnerships for the EU and the UK

The House of Lords European Union Committee concluded in a December 2016 report that there was a strong case to support the government pursuing a wide-ranging bespoke arrangement, and the same view was put forward in September 2017 in a policy paper by the Department for Exiting the European Union and the Home Office. The ‘Future Partnerships’ paper set out a plan for a new treaty with the EU that retains the current system of co-operation, arguing that, “with threats evolving faster than ever before”, the UK and EU should “work together to design new, dynamic arrangements as part of the future partnership”, to a degree that “goes beyond the existing, often ad hoc arrangements for EU third-country relationships”.

The Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, which was published in conjunction with the Withdrawal Agreement in late November last year, is non-committal in terms of detail, but sets out intentions for “an ambitious and comprehensive future security relationship” and “comprehensive and close reciprocal law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters”.

Presently, this is a matter for the back burner: the current focus in politics is the Withdrawal Agreement, and much posturing from a variety of political positions is taking place across government and in the EU. The agreement that the government has negotiated largely allows for the current security arrangements to continue through the Brexit implementation period of 21 months, set to begin in March, leaving future arrangements still to be negotiated. At the International Security Expo, The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, Minister for Security and Economic Crime, gave a well-publicised speech to delegates as part of the government’s bid to garner support for its deal. He described the deal as delivering “the broadest security partnership in the EU’s history”, while warning of the uncertainty that would arise should the deal be rejected by Parliament – as it indeed was.

There has been much hysteria about the risks of a ‘no deal’ situation, but this is unfortunately the character of politics and the media, and my view on where things stand is that there is no need to panic and we should simply wait and see. If absolutely necessary, there is room for a short extension of Article 50 with the agreement of the European Council, which is the EU’s grouping for members’ heads of state.

The Institute for Government think tank has just produced an alarming report on the challenges that will be faced in the event of no withdrawal agreement or no transition period, but it is clearly in both parties’ interests to avoid this situation. The objective of the rejected Withdrawal Agreement was to provide “a smooth exit and orderly transition to the future relationship for people, businesses and organisations across our country”, and the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration were settled on the basis that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”, meaning that, far from being finalised, the Brexit negotiations are only just beginning.

In the meantime, as security practitioners, we just need to continue to do what we are best at, which is to carry on helping to shape the UK’s security capabilities that continuously impress the rest of the world. To borrow Kipling, “if you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs”, there is much that can still be achieved.

Alison Wakefield, Chairman, Security Institute

www.security-institute.org

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The heightened threat of terrorism is a pan-European problem and there is no question that our security co-operation with the EU will continue after Brexit. Giving evidence to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee earlier this year, Europol’s British Director, Rob Wainwright, stressed that other EU nations were concerned to make sure “British expertise and leadership is not lost” because “the UK is a very important partner in the security field”.

Access to security agencies

Wainwright estimated that 40 per cent of all Europol cases have some level of British involvement, and Europol data indicate that in 2015 British authorities initiated 2,500 cases for cross-border investigation and operational support with Europol. Currently only EU member states are entitled to full Europol membership.

States outside the EU have negotiated ‘strategic agreements’ (limited to the exchange of general intelligence as well as strategic and technical information) and ‘operational agreements’ (which have been established with Norway, Switzerland and Iceland, for example) and allow for the exchange of information, including financial and personal data.

The House of Lords European Union Committee stated in their December 2016 report that they found ‘considerable consensus’ among British law enforcement agencies that the following capabilities should be retained or adequately replaced: Europol, Eurojust, the Second Generation Schengen Information System (SIS II), the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS), the Prüm Decisions (providing for the automated exchange of DNA, fingerprints and vehicle registration data) and Passenger Name Records (PNR). This is unsurprising as the UK has been one of the leading contributors to the development of these measures.

Wainwright has argued that any alternative police cooperation arrangement would only be ”partially as good” for the UK since we would become a “second-tier member…  still useful but not, for example, having direct access to our database, not being able to lead any of our operational projects, not having the influence in our organisation that they do at the moment”. On the other hand, if the EU recognises that “the UK is a very important partner in the security field”, a mutually acceptable arrangement may be possible if it wishes to avoid reduced access to UK expertise and resources.

In September, the Department for Exiting the European Union and the Home Office published a policy paper on Security, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, which suggested that, “with threats evolving faster than ever before”, the UK and EU should “work together to design new, dynamic arrangements as part of the future partnership”, to a degree that “goes beyond the existing, often ad hoc arrangements for EU third-country relationships”.

The fact that the UK’s commissioner, Sir Julian King, is the European Commissioner for the Security Union with oversight of the EU’s internal security arrangements will surely help both sides identify a mutually beneficial arrangement. In August he said on BBC Radio 5 live: “Europol has a series of relationships with countries that aren’t in the European Union at the moment, the United States, for example.  And those close relationships work very well.”

Principal player

The UK is a principal player in the international arena, with its wider contribution including active memberships of the United Nations, Interpol, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) (as one of just a few member countries that contribute the agreed 2% of GDP), and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The UK is one of the G7 member countries that founded Financial Action Task Force, which is recognised as the international standard setting body in the field of anti-money laundering, providing a basis for international co-operation. We also maintain strong bilateral partnerships with EU and non-EU states, most recently announcing a strengthened defence and security relationship with Japan.

As both parties come together to determine what our post-Brexit security cooperation arrangements will look like, it must be noted that there is currently no precedent for access by non-EU or non-Schengen countries to the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) or the Schengen Information System II (SIS II), respectively.

Equally, however, there is no precedent for negotiations with a former member state that is such a significant contributor to European security arrangements, with its wider capabilities including the significant element of the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence alliance. This led the House of Lords European Union Committee to conclude in their December 2016 report that there was a strong case to support the government pursuing a wide-ranging bespoke arrangement.

Countries’ national interests will continue to drive closer bilateral security relationships, and arguably there is room to bolster the capabilities of Interpol and other international mechanisms. Business-to-business security information-sharing will continue to cross national borders and may become a growing aspect of the bigger European business picture.

Post-Brexit security cooperation

In short, the increasing threat to European countries of international terrorism, cyber crime and organised crime and the need to collaborate means that it is in the interests of both the UK and the EU to pursue more, not less, security cooperation. Hopefully, this will ultimately drive both parties in the Brexit negotiations to set apart security from economic deliberations. But as practitioners, we should not rest on our laurels and merely hope for the best.

In these uncertain and challenging times, security practitioners in the public and private sectors need also to be working to establish the best possible security networks and partnerships for mutual and societal benefit.

Dr Alison Wakefield FSyI Vice Chairman and Chairman Security Institute and Stephen Massey MSyI Director of Member Services, Security Institute

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The security profession is developing as an externally recognised, knowledge-based field of expertise. Many roles within the industry require ongoing qualifications and training, ensuring that personnel have the most up-to-date knowledge and skill sets  to carry out their roles.

Here some of the key organisations and a selection of providers give an insight into how they can help you develop professionally.

Developing your career with the Security Institute

The Security Institute’s founding principles just over 15 years ago were to become a pre-eminent professional body, represent members’ interests and provide a forum for debate, assist in setting professional standards, lead and encourage personal and collective professional development, education and qualifications, and promote security as a career.

Today it has a membership of close to 2,000, and maintains a high profile in the security sector, within the UK and overseas. In its Manifesto launched earlier this year, it called for “closer co-operation and collaboration between the professional bodies, forums and networks within the security sector… to make security a profession we can be proud of: forward-looking, influential and an aspirational career choice for ambitious young people”.

We recognise that much still remains to be done to support employers and prospective employees in making security careers as desirable and accessible as possible.

The Institute’s unique selling point at its inception was the validated membership scheme. This was designed to enable members’ experience, qualifications and training to be recognised through its membership grades, and remains the bedrock of the Institute, affording members the post-nominals of ASyI (Associate), MSyI (Member) and FSyI (Fellow).

Certificate & Diploma Courses

A merger with the International Institute of Security in 2009 doubled membership numbers and brought the well-known certificate and diploma courses in security management to the Institute, which are accredited by BTEC at Levels 3 and 5 (equivalent to A-Level and second year degree standard). An Advanced Diploma, accredited by IQ at Level 7, has just been added to the courses portfolio and is already recruiting well.

Register of Chartered Security Professionals

In 2010, after the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (WCoSP) was granted its Royal Charter, the WCoSP asked the Institute to design and manage the Register of Chartered Security Professionals, with financial support kindly provided by the City of London Crime Prevention Association. In June 2011 it was launched and admitted its first Registrants, now numbering close to 100.

The Register recognises security professionals operating at strategic and senior operational levels who can demonstrate its underpinning competencies, and accepts applications through both the Institute and the ASIS UK Chapter.

These are the three main elements of the career progression pathways that underpin the Institute, while it also offers a number of services to support the development of security practitioners. Individuals can develop their competencies and enhance their career progression through participation in the Institute’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme, mentoring programme and learning events. They can also gain access to regular sector updates through its various news and social media forums, and undertake voluntary roles within the Institute, which is run by volunteers supported by a first class HQ staff team. Opportunities include serving on our Validation Board, fulfilling specific roles such as on the main Board or other committees, writing articles for the newsletter or assisting on the Institute stand at events.

Dr. Alison Wakefield FSyI Vice Chairman, Security Institute

Professional Certification with ASIS International

Celebrating its 60th anniversary and with 38,000 members, education and learning is at the core of ASIS International, and its Board Certified qualifications are demanding and applicants must meet educational and work experience requirements to apply. In addition, the comprehensive exam requires a great deal of preparation and a commitment of time and energy. There are about 200 holders of ASIS qualifications in the UK.

There are three current certifications and CPE (continuing professional education) is required for holders to maintain their status. Currently there are about 8,000 people on the CPE scheme, which is audited rigorously against ISO standards (ISO17024):

• Certified Protection Professional (CPP)® demonstrated knowledge and experience in all areas of security management
• Professional Certified Investigator (PCI)® demonstrated education and/or experience in the fields of case management, evidence collection, and case presentation
• Physical Security Professional (PSP)® demonstrated experience in physical security assessment, the application, design and integration of physical security systems, and implementation of physical security measures.

Established almost 40 years ago, there are c.6,500 CPPs world-wide and it is the de facto gold standard security management qualification; its value is recognised and understood by international corporations and there are many examples of how these have helped advance careers.

Mike Hurst, Vice Chairman – Strategy, ASIS International, UK Chapter

Selecting a high-quality training provider with the BSIA

Training providers offer a wide range of courses in many areas of the industry, including CCTV, Access Control, Door Supervisory, Control Rooms Operations and Management Training. The BSIA’s Training Providers Section is steadfast in its objectives and commitment to providing high quality training and works with colleges, security companies, trade organisations, fellow training providers and the Government in order to increase the professionalism and standards of training available within the industry.

Speaking about the work of the section and its commitment to maintaining a high standard of quality amongst its members, Anthony Rabbit, Chairman of the BSIA’s Training Providers Section, comments: “Membership of the BSIA, including in the field of training, requires compliance with a rigorous code of conduct and accreditation with national standards organisations.  Infractions of the BSIA code of conduct would lead to decisive and robust action to remove guilty parties from the Association.”

Amanda Caton, Head of Communications, BSIA

Understanding licensing and qualifications with the SIA

If you are uncertain about the training or qualifications required for specific security roles, the Security Industry Authority website is a good place to start. The SIA manages the compulsory licensing of individuals working within the private security industry, including specifiying the competency standards and training required for roles such as security guarding, door supervision, close protection, cash and valuables in transit, and public space surveillance using CCTV.

www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk

Choosing a training partner

With the growing need to underpin practical knowledge and experience with academic qualifications, selecting the right course and a trusted, experienced and fully-accredited training partner are key considerations.

Security professionals are increasingly aware of the significance of having sound knowledge and understanding of their field, although it is easy to overlook the importance of also developing a versatile, transferable skill set alongside expertise in a chosen discipline. In fact, such skills should be a key component of any rounded CV, particularly in a challenging economic climate where the ability to demonstrate viable transferable skills will provide a significant competitive advantage. Examples of these include business management and financial skills, leadership, people management, evaluation/critical thinking, information gathering/research and communication skills.

Delivery of training has developed over the years and with increasing workloads and fewer opportunities to take time out of work, it can be difficult to find time to learn, particularly in a sector with irregular work schedules and a lot of travel. Thankfully, the days where the only way to get a qualification was to attend a college once or twice a week are gone. Many flexible learning options are now available, with distance and online learning gaining popularity.

It is advisable to research course content to ensure it meets personal requirements and confirm whether the delivery methodology fits with learning styles and, potentially, the ‘day job’. Pricing is always a factor in purchasing, but consider factors such as the quality of training materials and the credentials of those delivering the courses.

Sarah Hayward, ARC Training

Extending your skills with specialist training such as City of London Police Academy

As well as training police officers from the UK and around the world, the City of Police Economic Crime Academy is now making its specialist courses available to the private sector.

Attendees can study all aspects of preventing, detecting and investigating fraud and corruption, including bribery, in particular the implications of the new Bribery Act.

This training is well timed, with 250,000 reports a year to the National Fraud Investigation Bureau (NFIB) – and this number looks set to increase – the only way forward is increasing the capability to deal with fraud. In the case of some crimes, the key learning is spotting when fraud is still occurring and preventing it happening further.

It’s not just police officers who can benefit from our training:  auditors, solicitors, those working in banking and insurance who are investigating fraud can now come and extend their skills using our range of specialist courses.

Kathy Hearn

Director, City of London Police Academy

Starting your career with an Apprenticeship for Fire & Security

Apprentices for Fire & Security is a security industry initiative that aims to place apprentices into careers in the industry and support their future development.

It is aimed at employers looking to home grow their own future talent pipeline. Similarly, apprentices may be looking for the first step on a rewarding career path. The security industry can offer a diverse range of career paths including engineering, IT, product design, marketing, sales and many more.

Apprentices for Fire & Security offers a credible route into a solid future career and the opportunity to earn and learn.

Apprentices for Fire & Security runs each year, with the results announced at the prestigious Security Excellence Awards in the Autumn. In the four years since its conception the initiative has provided a career for over 3,000 young people in the security industry.

The scheme caught the eye of the national press in its inaugural year and was endorsed by The Daily Telegraph, which cited the Security Sector as a “booming marketplace with bright prospects and excellent retention rates”.

The Government initiative focuses on employer-designed apprenticeship standards to ensure apprenticeship training and assessment directly meets industry and business needs. Once launched, the new standard will replace the current industry Apprenticeship framework.

The widening skills gap poses a real threat to the future growth, success and stability of our sector. Left unchecked, the UK skills gap will match that of post-war Britain by 2020. Apprenticeships are crucial to closing this gap and with Government funding more accessible than ever, there are so many reasons to invest in apprenticeships. After just a year, you’ll see the benefits.

Simon Banks

Group Managing Director, DualCom

The post Develop your career in security with training & qualifications appeared first on City Security Magazine.

Mark Slater FSyI CSyP, who passed away just before Christmas, was an accomplished security professional, academic and former soldier who is greatly missed by many in the security community.

Background

Mark served in the Royal Military Police for 22 years and had a distinguished career.  Early on he earned his Military Parachute Wings and completed two tours as part of the Parachute Provost element of 5 Airborne Brigade based in Aldershot; the first as a soldier and the second as the Platoon Commander. He distinguished himself further by completing multiple tours of Africa as a close protection operative and Northern Ireland as a soldier during the troubles. Mark chose to challenge himself rather than to chase promotion and as a result he achieved more in his time than most and retired as a very highly qualified and experienced Staff Sergeant. Those of us who experienced his leadership rated him above most of the officers of the unit for his ability to inspire and get the best out of us and for always treating people with respect. He was extremely well respected.

Drawing on the vast experience and skills within complex environments that he had gained from his military career, Mark became a consultant to the oil and gas industry, delivering HSE and operational risk support to both on and offshore installations worldwide. His work for a number of major oil and gas companies and service companies, most notably ExxonMobil, saw him based – often for many months at a time – in places like Algeria, Tunisia, Papua New Guinea, Kurdistan and Uganda. Mark’s LinkedIn profile displays high praise by those he has worked for or with, who have described his personal and professional qualities as ‘personable and adaptable’, ‘a team player’, trustworthy’, ‘loyal’, ‘innovative’, ‘energetic’, ‘very organised’, ‘a very good planner’ and ‘able to work under pressure’. Overall, Mark is acknowledged as ‘a talented security manager’ with ‘a wealth of knowledge in risk management and HSE’, ‘a certified professional from whom I have learned much’, and a consummate professional who ‘maintains the highest standards in all he does’ and ‘goes the extra mile to assure client satisfaction’.

Education

Not content simply with a demanding and often dangerous career in challenging areas of the world, at the same time as his move into the private sector, Mark decided that he needed to stretch himself academically. He completed a diploma in occupational health and safety in 2003, and then enrolled on a part-time distance learning degree in Risk and Security Management at the University of Portsmouth. Mark threw himself into achieving not only his degree but also a subsequent MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety at the Royal College of Arts. Mark then returned to Portsmouth in 2011 to study for a Professional Doctorate in Security Risk Management, and around the same time successfully attained the newly launched Chartered Security Professional qualification. He also became actively involved in the Security Institute, working on a voluntary basis to support its ongoing ‘Knowledge Centre’ project with a view to developing member resources in the section on Crime and Criminology.

Mark’s doctoral studies were titled ‘Forging new hydrocarbon frontiers: the complexity of securing onshore oil and gas exploration and development projects operations in developing countries’. He undertook interviews with thirty managers and project professionals from across the global oil and gas industry, with a view to informing knowledge and practice in this area. Mark was making significant progress and considering a transition into an academic career, and it is a great loss to the security community that he did not gain the opportunity to share his considerable expertise through research and teaching.

Early life

Born in 1960 and brought up in South Shields, a coastal town at the mouth of the River Tyne, Mark spent many hours on cliff side walks with his father Harry, developing a love of the outdoors which informed his life and career choices. Indeed, Mark described himself as an ‘avid sports enthusiast of any description’, and his extra-curricular accomplishments included completing numerous triathlons including the challenging ‘Iron Man’, consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bicycle ride and a marathon run.

Mark began his education at South Shield Grammar and Technical School for Boys, although his considerable academic achievements occurred much later in his life. After a number of jobs (selling motorbikes, working for the Coal Board and in a local pipefitting company) he decided that the police would provide some of the interest and excitement he sought. After a few years with Northumbria Police, however, he decided this had become too routine so he announced he was joining the Royal Military Police (RMP).

On a visit home in 1998, Mark met his future wife Sharon in a chance encounter at King’s Cross station. The love of his life, Sharon became the centre of his world, described by Mark as ‘my inspiration’. Sharon brought stability and foundation, which were so important to Mark since his life certainly did not slow down on his transition from the public to the private sector.

What is clear was that Mark loved life, accomplished much, and influenced many.

He will be missed.

Mark Overton, Richard Brown and Alison Wakefield.

The post Mark Slater: a tribute appeared first on City Security Magazine.

As the job market becomes more competitive, universities offering security related degrees are seeing a growth in student numbers, and new courses are being created. The latest include MSc courses in Nuclear Security (Cumbria) and Maritime Security (Greenwich), welcome developments that are extending the choice and number of institutions involved in security education.

Following a masters degree, a growing number of security practitioners are seeking the next step. This may involve an MBA, or a step upwards to doctoral level. A PhD is based on a supervised research study of about 80,000 words, and on a part-time basis this takes about six years. Many practitioners are opting for the alternative route of a Professional Doctorate, involving a more manageable four years of part-time study.

What is a professional doctorate?

Professional doctorates began to emerge in the UK in the 1990s. They have been driven by growing demand among professionals for higher level academic qualifications and increasing engagement in continuing professional development. There has also been more emphasis by government, industry and universities on promoting educational routes that are better tailored to the needs of practitioners and the wider economy.

Professional doctorate courses are subject specific. They comprise a taught element for the first two years, usually delivered in short blocks to accommodate individuals working full-time, and then involve two years of supervised research leading to a thesis. The taught phase offers students the camaraderie of a group studying in the same subject area, and more structure and support than a PhD, Courses include Portsmouth’s new Security Risk Management programme; Policing, Security and Community Safety at London Metropolitan University, and Information Security at East London. Other options are the Doctorate of Business Administration offered at a number of universities, or Criminal Justice at Portsmouth and De Montfort Universities.

Such courses not only enhance individual professional development. They will increasingly support the development of targeted research by practitioners for practioners, strengthening the evidence base underpinning security practice.

Dr Alison Wakefield

Senior Lecturer in Security Risk Management, University of Portsmouth

www.port.ac.uk

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Detective Chief Superintendent Michael McDonagh is in the final stages of a professional doctorate at London Metropolitan University. Dr Alison Wakefield from the University of Portsmouth interviewed him about the benefits and challenges of studying at this level while maintaining family life and a demanding career.

What motivated you to undertake a professional doctorate?

In 2008, I completed a masters degree in business management and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Having finished my studies, I missed the process of researching and reading, data analysis and constructing essays. I looked around for a further course to provide a fresh challenge that was equally stimulating.

Why did you opt for a professional doctorate over a PhD programme?

Having found several courses that seemed to meet my requirements, I spoke to several past and present students about these. I settled on a professional doctorate based in London because it provided a robust framework of attendance, strong supervision during the research phase and was local.

What was your research about?

Counter terrorism stop and search legislation and the application of those laws. I am the National Senior User on Counter Terrorism Stop and Search, responsible for Government, ACPO and MPS support to the Stop and Search project. It seemed logical to formulate my research around an aspect of policing, society and community that I had access to, and national and international CT legislation and law has always been an interest of mine, particularly as I am the commanding officer of a CT Protective Security command.

In what ways has studying for the doctorate impacted on your professional work?

The research has provided me with both the knowledge and practical research/analysis skills to translate academic and legal material into a viable product that I believe will make a real difference to policing and our communities.

How did you find studying alongside fellow students from a range of criminal justice and security backgrounds?

An absolute pleasure: the different viewpoints, organisational and cultural procedures made for a thoughtful and lively environment when discussing controversial topics such as pre-charge detention or no grounds stopping and searching.

How did you balance your studies with your very demanding job as well as your home life while studying for a doctorate?

Good time management and good family support. Alongside the challenging demands of my position, I have two young children who equally demand my time. I considered this long and hard and decided to forego a second attempt at the Police National Assessment Centre (Commander/ACC selection) as I could not have it all. Looking back I feel the extra work, long hours and reading headaches have been worth it.

How do you think having a doctorate will impact on your future career?

I am not sure that current police leaders value external qualifications as highly as one would expect. As an officer who is nearing the end of a wonderful and enjoyable career, I note that the outside world appear to value academic achievement and continuing professional development in a much more enlightened and rewarding manner.

How will you promote your research findings?

Three fold. Within the policing environment, I intend to submit my findings via the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in the Metropolitan Police Service (the Deputy is the National ACPO lead for Stop and Search). Secondly, I would like to publish my findings in an appropriate academic forum so that all parties who utilise stop and search tactics may benefit from my research. Lastly, I intend to volunteer to speak at various forums to share my findings.

What would be your advice to others thinking about taking their education to this level?

In my view they need to consider the following:

1. Is the time right for studying within your career and promotion timetable?
2. Is the course right for you, your family and your aspirations?
3. Financially, can you maintain the burden? Fees do go up and most forces no longer have bursaries/funding.
4. Speak to past and present students. Choose carefully. In the case of a professional doctorate, 4+ years is a very long time to engage in anything.

ABOUT PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATE PROGRAMMES

Professional doctorate programmes are becoming an increasingly popular form of advanced study alternative to a PhD. They are offered part-time, should relate to the student’s area of work and take 4+ years to complete. The first two years comprise a series of assessed modules, taught in short blocks, and the remaining period is devoted to a supervised 40,000 to 50,000 word project of the student’s own design. Applicants mostly have a masters degree.

Two British universities have well-established professional doctorate programmes in the criminal justice/security field: London Metropolitan University (Department of Criminology) and the University of Portsmouth (Institute of Criminal Justice Studies).

Dr Alison Wakefield

Course Leader, BSc

Risk & Security Management

Institute of Criminal Justice Studies

University of Portsmouth

www.port.ac.uk

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