Policing Organisation and Practice (POP)

We are an interdisciplinary team with diverse expertise in contemporary policing.

Policing graduates standing on ceremony Building on the 50-year history of The Open University, we design and deliver flexible and engaging blended learning curriculum that meets the needs of policing practitioners and organisations nationally and internationally.

The team are engaged in a wide range of research, scholarship and knowledge exchange activities working collaboratively with our police partners though the Centre for Policing Research and Learning.

About the team

Our team combine their police operational experience with their academic teaching and research experience in order to design teaching and assessment material that equip new police recruits with the skills and knowledge to apply their learning into their operational practice.

The team have worked for numerous police forces in England and Wales across the United Kingdom (including both home office and specialist forces), in a variety of operational and practitioner roles and policing capacities.

Operational experience

Domestic Abuse Units
Rape Investigation Units
Child Protection Units
Force Intelligence Bureau
Response policing
Neighbourhood policing
Critical Incidents
Investigations
Public Order

In addition to this operational experience, our team have a number of research interests and teaching expertise that ensure our teaching material is up-to-date with the latest developments in teaching approaches, as well as changes and debates within policing.

Teaching and research expertise

Developing critical thinking skills of students
Developing work-based learning modules for apprentices
The integration of virtual reality in police education
Violent crime and exploitation
Police response to stalking
Police welfare and mental health
Domestic abuse and victim engagement
Violence against women and girls
Evidence-based policing

If you want to read more about each team member, visit their profiles.

Find out more

We showcase a lot of our work through our POP Twitter Site and encourage you to visit, ask us questions and share our work. Our OU Policing blog shares insights, commentary and discussion on topics relating to policing events and issues.

Get in touch with POP

Business School recognised in AACSB’s ‘Innovations That Inspire’ initiative

The Open University Business School has been recognised in AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) International’s Innovations That Inspire member spotlight programme which highlights impactful and visionary institutions creating value for tomorrow’s business world.

20th April 2023

Politicians join cross-party discussion on how to tackle gender-based violence

Key politicians including Labour’s Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding, Jess Phillips MP, will join a cross-party panel at a free webinar to discuss what more should be done to prevent gender-based violence.

26th November 2021

Over half a million pounds to research police response to rape

OU research that will transform how rape investigations are conducted has just been awarded £570,000 by The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, who are hosting this National Police Chiefs Council led and Home Office funded programme.

25th November 2021

HRD Roundtable Debate - Diversity in Apprenticeships

The HRDIRECTOR roundtable debate explored the challenges and opportunities in the drive to achieve a truly diverse workforce.

29th March 2021

Photo of NYP Police Constable Apprentice in uniform

The Open University and North Yorkshire Police Partnership – Delivering flexible and innovative police education to a twenty-first century police workforce

The Open University Business School has partnered with North Yorkshire Police (NYP) to collaboratively design and deliver the new Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) and Degree Holder Entry programmes.

8th February 2021