The University of South Wales (USW) and South Wales Police (SWP) are marking the first anniversary of a partnership that has significantly enhanced police education.
SWP has designed a commemorative coin that officers will be given when they complete their initial training. The coin is engraved with the SWP crest on one side and the USW crest on the other.
In 2024, USW started delivering education programmes with Gwent Police and South Wales Police. They joined USW’s existing police education partnerships with Devon and Cornwall Police, Dorset Police, Gloucestershire Constabulary, and Wiltshire Police.
All seven police forces provide two key entry routes into policing: the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) and the postgraduate Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP). Both are delivered in collaboration with the police forces.
The PCDA allows recruits without a degree to complete a degree-level apprenticeship while serving their probation, while the DHEP is tailored for those who already hold a degree, equipping them with the necessary policing skills during their probationary period.
An SWP officer who has recently completed his initial training with USW explained that he had to overcome challenges, but his perseverance paid off.
He said:
“Training to become a police officer was a complete career change for me, so I had no policing experience. On top of that, English isn’t my first language, so studying at this level was difficult. However, I worked hard and had amazing support from my lecturers and colleagues. Their guidance really helped me push through. Balancing my studies with family life was tough, but once I got into a routine, it all started to feel more manageable.
“I decided to become a police officer when I was doing some community work. We were trying to give local kids a positive outlet and keep them off the streets. The police supported us, and one of the officers told me that I’d make a good police officer. At first, I laughed it off, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I wanted to make a real difference in the community, and policing felt like the right way to do that.”
Peter Vaughan, Director of the International Centre for Policing and Security, said:
“The partnership has facilitated a strong collaboration between USW and SWP. The success of this initiative is evident in the achievements of the officers.
“Looking ahead, we will continue to build on these strong foundations, further enhancing police training and supporting the next generation of officers. We are committed to developing skilled, confident, and community-focused officers who are ready to serve South Wales and beyond.”
USW is the only UK university with police force partnerships in both Wales and England to deliver this training to new recruits, and the only university to be the sole provider of these education programmes in collaboration with seven police forces.
