Overview of Courses

Description:

The objective of this course is to provide prospective police constables with a basic training programme to qualify them for the post in the Malta Police Force. This course will define and deliver the knowledge, skills and competences required by constables to be able to fulfil their roles and responsibilities which their everyday work demands.

By the end of this course, the recruit will be equipped with the following knowledge, skills and competences. The proposed programme of studies done at the University of Malta is intended to afford possibilities for participants to acquire basic policing skills, knowledge of laws and procedures, and competences to sufficiently fulfil their role of a police constable.

The below are the study unit titles approved by the University of Malta:

1. Public Protection and Response Policing
2. Evidence Based Policing
3. Ethics, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
4. Communication Skills, Leadership and Teamwork – Initial Response to Investigation – Information and Intelligence – Policing the Roads – International Police Cooperation – Criminal Justice – Traditional and Contemporary Crime – Academic Reading and Writing Skills – Understanding the Role and Wellbeing of the Police Constable – Victims, Witnesses and Vulnerable Persons – Powers, Duties and Professional Standards of the Police – Crime Prevention and Community Policing

The below are the study units being proposed for approval to MFHEA:

1. Physical Fitness and Circuit Training
2. Drill and Self Discipline
3. Control and Restrain, Handcuffing and Baton, OC Pepper Spray – Level 3 and Level 2
4. Safe Weapon Handling
5. Public Order Management 6. Introduction to Use of Force, Taser CEW, Case Scenarios, Judgmental Simulator, Fire Fighting, Introduction to Health and Safety, Use of Police Radio and Phonetic Alphabet, Report Writing, NPS and Affidavits, First Aid, CPR and AED
7. Work Life Practical

The overall aim of the programme is to:

1. provide participants with a general and detailed knowledge of crime and criminal behavior
2. provide participants with an understanding of the key concepts of policing
3. allow participants to understand the role of police within the context of fundamental rights in a democratic society
4. provide participants with an understanding of the ethical and professional values expected of a police officer
5. allow participants to understand the fundamental importance and characteristics of the principle of equality and non-discrimination
6. enable participants to understand legal frameworks that are applicable to policing
7. enable participants to interpret and apply the law
8. enable participants to communicate effectively with different players including victims of crime
9. enable participants to record, structure and document factual material to develop a crime report
10. enable participants to apply basic investigative skills
11. enable participants to take adequate measures to protect a crime scene
12. provide participants sufficient technical and physical skills to ensure the security and safety of themselves and others
13. provide participants with an understanding of policing communities
14. enable participants to understand and empathize with needs of victims of crime
15. enable participants to decipher the elements that constitute various categories of crime
16. provide participants with an appreciation of cooperation with local, national, regional and international bodies in the fight against crime

By the end of the programme participants will have:

1. an understanding of crime and criminal behavior and how this impacts the community
2. an understanding of the role of a police officer in contemporary society
3. an ability to ensure respect for fundamental rights in all aspects of their duties
4. an understanding of the ethical and professional values and responsibilities expected of a police officer
5. an ability to conduct police work without discrimination and equally throughout the community
6. an understanding of the laws, regulations and policies that apply to police work
7. an ability to interpret and apply laws to different contexts
8. an ability to communicate with different social players including with victims of crime, offenders, community members and law enforcement officers
9. an understanding of the concept of community policing and how to involve the community in the
10. fight against crime
11. an ability to understand and empathize with victims of crime
12. an understanding of the importance and need to cooperate with various stakeholders
13. an ability to process a crime report
14. an ability to manage and control a crime scene
15. an ability to investigate basic crimes
16. an ability to take victim statements
17. an ability to ensure the security and safety of oneself and others

By the end of this programme participants will also be able to:

1. deal with community concerns in a confident manner
2. be able to discuss issues related to policing, crime and criminal behavior
3. be able to recommend crime prevention measures
4. write structured reports
5. communicate effectively with others
6. demonstrate active listening and emotional intelligence skills
7. develop and implement a personal physical training plan
8. conduct research on their own or as part of a team
9. structure and deliver a presentation.

In terms of employability, participants will be engaged with the Malta Police Force as constables on the successful completion of this programme. This programme is specifically designed for this purpose.

Further Information:

This programme is jointly delivered and awarded with the University of Malta.

Requirements:

Applicants must answer a call for applications published in the Government Gazette through the Malta Public Service recruitment portal (https://recruitment.gov.mt/en/page/home)

Way to Acquire:

The Academy for Disciplined Forces has policies to advise students of their responsibilities and the set of regulations which are expected to be adhered to. If any of these regulations are aggravated, disciplined consequences will follow. As already indicated, the Academy for Disciplined Forces allows a certain range of choice when it comes to assessments.

Assessments can take any form including assignments, presentations, written tests, and/or practical sessions, with an additional choice of having open−ended questions or a multiple−choice format. Students must obtain a pass mark of 50% in subject being proposed for accreditation by MFHEA.

In the event of an absence, a supplementary examination will be rescheduled and considered as a first attempt.

In the case of a failure, a re-sit will be scheduled accordingly, following the same format as the initial assessment. However, candidates who are successful in the re-sit will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the total marks allocated to the assessment, regardless of the actual mark obtained during the re-sit attempt. Both supplementary exams and re-sits will follow the same format as the original assessment.

In case of a failure from the “Work Life Practical” the recruit will be given the opportunity to take the module with the next cohort. If successful, the candidate will be sworn with the next cohort. The journal will be in the form of a report which will be submitted by the mentor.

Mentees shall be assessed on the following criteria:

1. The mentee’s involvement in Station-related work. This includes, but is not limited to, specifications on communication skills, ethical behaviour, and approach with members of the public, as well as dealing with suspects, following, and implementing procedures and regulations correctly. The mentor’s feedback is to be supported with evidence.

2. The mentee’s involvement in Field-related work. This includes but is not limited to, specifications on the communication skills, ethical behaviour and approach with members of the public, dealing with suspects, following and implementing procedures and regulations correctly. The mentor’s feedback is to be supported with evidence.

3. The mentee’s involvement in Commitments related to police work. This includes, but is not limited to, specifications on communication skills, ethical behaviour, and approach with members of the public, as well as following and implementing procedures and regulations correctly. The mentor’s feedback is to be supported with evidence.

4. The mentee’s communication skills, ethical behaviour and approach in supporting victims of crime and incidents, including referral to the correct agency and providing information to the victim. The mentor’s feedback is to be supported with evidence.

5. The mentee’s behaviour and communication during their work with the mentor, the rest of the team, other peers, and superiors. The mentor’s feedback is to be supported with evidence. The mark for this assessment will be 100 and the weight of each criteria is 20 marks.

Attendance, Assessment and Progress at the University of Malta will be as follows:

1. Unless otherwise specified in the description of a study− unit, attendance for lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals, or any other teaching session, is obligatory. On the basis of documented evidence, a lecturer may bar a student whose attendance in a study−unit is not satisfactory from being assessed in the study−unit.

2. The method of assessment of each study−unit shall be indicated in the study−unit description. The assessment of each study−unit shall be completed by the end of the semester in which the teaching of the study−unit is held, in accordance with the instructions issued by the Board of Studies.

3. Results for the assessment of study−units shall be published as a percentage mark and grade as indicated in the table below:

Mark Range

1. 90% − 100% A+
2. 80% − 89% A
3. 75% − 79% B+
4. 70% − 74% B
5. 60% − 69% C+
6. 55% − 59% C
7. 50% − 54% D+
8. 45% − 49% D
9. 0% − 44% F

Both the percentage mark and the grade shall be recorded in the students’ academic record.