WEBINAR – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
GAINING ACCREDITATION FOR YOUR SKILLS
Professional development seminar, facilitated by National Board member Paul Matthews, highlighted the value of obtaining formal recognition for skills and training within the policing field
A recent seminar on professional development, led by the Police Federation, stressed the importance of converting skills and training into formal qualifications. The event underscored how accreditation not only boosts career prospects but also improves public confidence in policing. Paul Matthews, professional development lead for the Police Federation, emphasised that while a degree isn’t mandatory for police officers, their extensive training and work certainly deserves formal recognition. Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, echoed this by reiterating how accreditation helps attract and retain talent. With more than 200 specialisations in policing, including firearms and public order, continuous professional development (CPD) is crucial to ensure officers are up to date
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with modern standards. Sir Marsh also proposed the concept
of a “license to practice”, similar to those used in law or medicine, to ensure officers meet the highest standards of conduct. He argued such measures could strengthen public trust and improve the
“While a degree isn’t mandatory for police officers, their extensive training and work certainly deserves formal recognition.”
profession’s standing. Professor John Coxhead, a retired officer and external examiner, spoke about translating existing skills into qualifications, comparing the process to “exchanging currency”. He encouraged officers to familiarise themselves with the National Qualifications Framework, which categorises qualifications into eight
levels, noting that many officers might already have experience that qualifies them for higher levels. A key topic of the seminar was
how police officers can convert their experiential learning into formal qualifications through Accredited Prior Learning and Accredited Prior Experiential Learning. These programmes allow officers to map their on-the-job experiences to recognised educational standards. Karen Morton, senior research officer at the College of Policing, introduced the College’s bursary
scheme, which offers up to £4,000 for academic studies at Level 6 and above. She explained the bursary supports tuition fees and enhances officers’ research capabilities, urging participants to consider how their work could benefit their force and their personal development. For officers looking for financial
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