PC2S050 - Organisational Improvement 01 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2031 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PC2S050
Module Title: Organisational Improvement
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Operational Policing
Faculty Sub Group: Policing
Module Leader: Jack Moss, Kevin Bushby
Module Team: Rebecca Voice, Claire Evans, Victoria Wall, Roger Phillips, Gordon Blake, Christijan Boyle, Leanne Thomas, Joanne Mercurio, Neil Harvey, Michelle Lamont, Paul Searle, Kirsty Hyland, Colette Chilcott, Richard Law, Rezbi Duffield, Michael Chard, Tiffany O'Connor, Rachael Lugg, Fiona Webb, Barry Murphy, Tina Avey-Hebditch, Bethan Shellard-Dedman, Sarah Jones
First Intended Intake: JAN 2023 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100486 - policing
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Jan 2025
Valid To 31 Dec 2031

Module Aims

To develop an understanding of key theories, concepts and challenges associated with leadership and team working within the police. 

To review the organisational culture within policing, including complex investigations, and consider the importance of wellbeing and resilience. 

To develop an understanding of the principles behind preventive and problem solving policing and how to present resolutions to identified issues. 

To provide students with an understanding of the role of research activities within a policing context and develop a grounding in formal research methods and skills associated with academic writing. 

Content Summary

Through some key face to face, facilitative sessions, students will discuss the concept of ‘organisational justice’ and how this can affect police constables in the workplace. They will further consider organisational culture and its impact on complex investigations and through teamwork exercises develop strategies for dealing with constant change and instances requiring potential challenge. 

Through self and peer reflective exercises students will evaluate theories of team dynamics to foster cohesion, and examine why interpersonal conflict can occur, developing strategies to enhance individual and team performance. 

The student will adopt core principles through exploring, applying, and demonstrating professional approaches to employing key leadership principles in the workplace. Exploring the importance of self-evaluation, self-improvement and reflective practice in professional policing. 

Students will explore established principles on how to effectively address and resolve identified issues or problems. Presenting and sharing comprehensive information and data regarding the identified issues or problems, along with proposed resolutions. 

In preparation for their EBRP in their final year, this module will also serve to further students understanding of formal research and academic writing. Through set exercises students will plan research activities, carry out secondary research, analyze and evaluate relevant sources as well as explore primary research and apply quantitative and qualitative techniques. They will also demonstrate proficiency in academic writing, including referencing and the interpretation of data. 

Using immersive learning, students will review how operational policing can affect mental health and wellbeing, recognising common reactions to trauma within the workplace and the support available to individuals. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 16
Tutorial 4
Project supervision 4
Practical classes and workshops 6
Work based learning 120
Directed Study 48
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 2
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Identify relevant research activities and evaluate their effectiveness as problem solving strategies within a policing context
LO2 Analyse the impact of organisational culture, teamwork, and leadership on modern policing.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Student Choice 1 A two dimensional, visual presentation that summarises culture leadership & teamwork or an essay presenting the culture leadership & teamwork in written word format. 0 1500 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 A brief outline of a research project to include hypotheses and methodology 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Student Choice 1
Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1

Reading List

Critical perspectives on police leadership. Claire Davis. 2020. 

Police Occupational Culture. Megan O’Neil. 2020 

Policing research and the rise of the ‘evidence base’: police officer and understandings of research, its implementation, and what works. Karen Lumsden. 2018. 

Evidence Based Policing: An introduction. J. Mitchel and L. Huey. 2018 

Super teams: The secrets of great teamwork. Matthew Syed. 2019 

Putting their bodies on the line; police culture a gendered physicality in policing. Louise Westmarland. 2017. 

Qualitative research practice: a guide for social science students. Jane Ritchie. 2014.