Developed in conjunction with Skills for Justice, these NVQs provide a national framework for police training at probationer and newly qualified level.

The qualifications cover complex, high profile and general policing roles such as communicating with the public and communities, conducting investigations, interviewing suspects and presenting evidence at court or other hearings.

The level 3 qualification is aimed at all newly recruited officers, and should be completed within your two year probationary period. The level 4 qualification is a direct progression from the level 3. It is aimed at all police officers and can be taken during, or shortly after, the two year probationary period.

Qualification structure

The structure of the qualifications has been designed to reflect the functions carried out by police officers in their first two years of employment within the service (including aspects of initial training).

Level 3 Policing NVQ
To achieve the full qualification at this level, learners must successfully complete all 11 units:

• Use police actions in a fair and justified way
• Foster people’s equality, diversity and rights
• Provide an initial police response to incidents
• Arrest, detain or report individuals
• Minimise and deal with aggressive and abusive behaviour
• Interview victims and witnesses
• Search individuals
• Present detained persons to custody
• Develop one’s own knowledge and practice
• Ensure your own actions reduce risks to health and safety
• Administer first aid

Level 4 Policing NVQ
To achieve the full qualification, learners must successfully complete all 11 units:

• Communicate effectively with members of communities
• Provide initial support to individuals affected by offending or antisocial behaviour and assess their needs for further support
• Gather and submit information that has the potential to support policing objectives
• Prepare for, and participate in, planned policing operations
• Conduct investigations
• Finalise investigations
• Interview suspects
• Search vehicles, premises and land
• Prepare and submit case files
• Present evidence in court and at other hearings
• Escort detained persons

Are there any entry requirements for learners?

There are no formal entry requirements for these NVQs; however you should ensure that your learners are in a position to demonstrate the performance evidence/underpinning knowledge requirements of these qualifications.

How are the qualifications assessed?

These qualifications are work based NVQs which means learners are assessed in the workplace performing real work activities. In addition to observation, there is a range of other methods of assessment such as expert witness observation, professional discussion, accounts and case studies. In order to ensure that all requirements are met, assessors must determine the most appropriate mix of assessment methods.

Progression

To enable your learners to progress in their policing career, we have a full suite of qualifications to choose from:

• Police Supervisory Management
• Police Operational Management
• Police Organisational Management
• Police Strategic Management
• Intelligence Analysis

These qualifications also support the Integrated Competency Framework (ICF), a series of national standards and guidelines which enable Police Forces and individuals to improve quality and consistency of performance and behaviour in jobs throughout the police service.