Policing at The Open University

The Open University's Department for Policing is an interdisciplinary team based within the OU Faculty of Business and Law. The Department has significant expertise in contemporary policing, supporting the continued development of policing as a profession and responding to the evolving demands of this critical public service.

The Department brings together two complementary areas of activity. The first focuses on the design and delivery of accredited education programmes, developed and delivered in partnership with police forces. Alongside this is the Centre for Policing Research and Learning (CPRL), established in 2014.

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Policing education

Our provision spans key Police Constable Entry Routes (PCER) and wider professional development aligned to the Police Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF), supporting forces to attract, develop and retain a capable and professional workforce.

All programmes are co-designed and co-delivered with forces, ensuring they are operationally relevant, aligned to national standards, and responsive to the evolving demands of modern policing. Partnering with the OU provides a structured, quality-assured approach that ensures consistency, robustness, and alignment with national policing standards. It also supports a coherent and integrated approach regardless of the entry route, strengthening overall workforce development.

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Department for Policing: How we can help

The Open University combines over 50 years of expertise in flexible, distance learning with deep experience in policing education, supporting forces to develop capability without compromising operational delivery.

The Department for Policing works in close partnership with forces across the UK, delivering education, research and knowledge exchange that directly supports operational policing. Our blended learning curriculum is flexible, inclusive, and co-designed with policing partners to ensure it meets real-world needs.

From initial entry through to ongoing professional development, we support forces to build capability, develop their workforce, and embed evidence-based practice—helping officers succeed throughout their careers and enabling forces to deliver effective, modern policing.

Key benefits to your force:

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Policing research

CPRL works collaboratively with over twenty police organisations, leading research, knowledge exchange, and professional learning initiatives. Its ethos is grounded in partnership—developing police-led research that directly informs practice and supports forces to embed evidence-based approaches in operational policing.

Research areas include:

The Department for Policing ensures our research findings inform our curriculum content so policing practitioners receive the latest contemporary knowledge throughout their learning journey.

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Open University policing programmes

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Department for Policing: Research

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Further resources

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