The Scottish Police College is responsible for the design, delivery and evaluation for every aspect of the complete training programme of the Scottish Police service.

The College delivers basic training for new recruits to the service through to strategic level events for chief officers.  The College provides specialist training for detectives, intelligence officers, road policing officers, community policing and crime prevention officers and training for leaders at every level in the police service. Every course delivered at the College is evaluated to ensure that it provides the best possible learning opportunities for students.

The principle training courses delivered by the Scottish Police College include;

• Training of Trainers
• Recruit Training
• Criminal Investigation
• Community Safety
• Leadership and Management
• Road Policing
• Scottish Centre for Intelligence and Analyst Training (SCiAT)
• International Products
• Strategic and Operational Level Policing Qualifications
  

Training of Trainers

The College considers that the delivery of quality training is so important we created our own "Train the Trainers" programme which is validated by Napier University in Edinburgh. The course is specifically designed to equip trainers who work at the College or in other police services with the skills required to deliver training in a modern environment.

The course develops the trainer’s skill in facilitated presentation, student support, course design, management of learning and student motivation.  It focuses on the concept of student ownership of personal learning and encourages the trainers to utilise dynamic and innovative methodologies for the transfer of knowledge. This course has previously been adapted and delivered in Guyana as part of a project to support the police service in that country. 

Recruit Training

The 15 week probationer training course is designed for new recruits to the service; it equips officers with the knowledge, practical policing and interpersonal skills necessary to meet the challenges faced in a modern operational environment. The course is validated by the University of Stirling.  

Criminal Investigation

Training is provided for crime investigators at a basic and advanced level, the programme includes investigative interviewing, crime scene management, professional practice in investigation and the use of intelligence. Courses are also provided in fraud and financial investigation, drugs and surveillance training. Training is also provided for Senior Investigating Officers (SIO’s) responsible for investigating serious incidents of criminality.  This course has previously been attended by a number of overseas students.       

Community Safety

Training is provided in relation to physical and social crime reduction methodologies, engagement principles and community policing.  The physical aspects of crime reduction are linked to risk commensurate responses including the use of CCTV, lighting, demarcation and other procedural considerations.  A problem solving process is interwoven in all areas of training which is delivered at both a practitioner and strategic level. This training has previously been delivered overseas.  Driver training has been delivered overseas and to overseas students in Scotland.

Leadership and Management

The Leadership and Management Division is responsible for delivering ‘core’ leadership, management training and operational skills training.   Training is delivered in a modular format and is role rather than rank specific it focuses on decision making, leadership, organisational management and ethics it is delivered at both an operational and strategic level.  Training for officers with similar requirements from other countries is also provided. Most recently officers have attended the Division for training from Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China.

Road Policing

The Road Policing Unit provides training in relation to basic and advanced driving techniques, security escort driving, pursuit management; a road patrol officer’s course is also available. In addition, a collision investigation course is provided, this can and has been adapted to meet the needs of police forces from outside the UK.

Scottish Centre for Intelligence and Analyst Training (SCiAT)

Intelligence Led policing is now recognised within many law enforcement cultures worldwide as the way to combat crime and criminality at a local, national and international level.  In order to facilitate this movement from reactive policing SCiAT provides training for intelligence personnel, enabling them to deliver success at both tactical and strategic levels. Training provides students with the knowledge, attributes, and skills for intelligence managers, intelligence officers and those providing analytical support.

International Products

In addition to delivering standard training courses, staff from the Scottish Police College have created bespoke training programmes for delivery either in Scotland or overseas. Staff from the International Development Unit have considerable experience of undertaking strategic level reviews of police and law enforcement organisations.

The strategic reviews generate detailed reports which specify the conclusions drawn from the investigation and outline operational proposals or training interventions required to bring about change in the organisation.

Strategic and Operational Level Policing Qualifications

The College can offer a number of accredited International Vocational Awards (IVAs) related to policing. 

The awards in Police Management and Policing Skills are designed for officers who undertake a supervisory role or are keen to improve their professional knowledge and skills. They focus on leadership, organisational management, decision making, people management, professional ethics, managing operational resources and concepts and models in international policing.

There is a separate qualification which focuses on criminal investigation including the management and preservation of crime scenes, investigative interviewing and the management and use of intelligence in criminal investigations.

These International Vocational Awards are accredited by SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority)

At a strategic level, a Post Graduate Certificate has been developed in conjunction with the University of Stirling. It is designed for strategic leaders in the police service and encompasses aspects of leadership and management for those officers who undertake a command role. It can lead to a Masters Degree.

The concentration of expertise and experience on one site provides the College with a distinct advantage over other police training organisations when we are asked to become involved in the delivery of a standard training course, design bespoke training courses or provide training leading to the award of an accredited qualification.

All of the courses referred to can be delivered in Scotland or overseas, courses can be adjusted following discussions in line with operational requirements of potential partners.

Further information about all of these training courses, qualifications or any other type of support or training intervention can be obtained from the International Development Unit of the Scottish Police College, details available on the Contact Us page.