Former police officer Katy Graham who started her career at Aycliffe aged 19 has developed a new course which offers ideal preparation for students looking to follow in her footsteps.
As a Durham Constabulary police officer Katy faced a wide range of challenges, from aggressive drunks, to victims of crime, to families touched by tragedy. But it was her work on the rehabilitation of prolific young offenders which gave her the desire to pursue a new career in teaching.
Since completing her Certificate in Education Post Compulsory Certificate in Education and Training at the college in 2010 and later being appointed as a part time lecturer teaching Travel & Tourism and Uniformed Services, Katy’s career has progressed at pace.
She was promoted to Learning Area Leader and is now a Manager for Uniformed Public Services and Sport, with teaching responsibilities. As a result of her close links with Durham Constabulary, the college has been able to develop a new HNC/HND in Public Services (Policing and Criminal Investigation) qualification starting in September designed for students planning a career in the police and related services such as criminal profiling.
The one and two year Higher Education programmes see students gaining skills such as an awareness of substance misuse, how crime affects our society, effective searches of vehicles and properties for evidence, and also working with local police on a large-scale public consultation.
Modules include psychology of human and criminal behaviour, justice and punishment, crime reduction and community safety, technology use, custodial care, and substance misuse, culture and crime, and a Certificate of Knowledge of Policing as recommended by the Home Office for all new police recruits.
The course has been developed with the support of Durham Constabulary and is being launched at an ideal time, according to the force’s Head of Innovation, Learning and Planning, Superintendent Bill Dutton, who said: “For anyone looking to join the police this course will be a very good use of their time at a time when most forces are not recruiting, to gain a worthwhile qualification and relevant experience.
Extra-curricular activities Katy has initiated include a ball attended by 250 stakeholders which raised £5,000 for local charities and a staff versus students charity football match held at a local football stadium. She has also just been named as a finalist in the VQ Newly Qualified FE Teacher of the Year Awards being held at the Houses of Parliament on June 3rd.
This exciting new development for the college has been endorsed by her former Superintendent, a real scoop and important progression route for many of our growing number of L3 Uniformed Services students.
Katy added: “I am very excited that the college is offering this course to potential police officers of the future. I loved my role as a police officer and am looking forward to working with my colleagues to deliver an outstanding higher education programme which will equip our students with the knowledge and skills to be well-prepared to undergo their initial police training.”
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