This award has been specifcally designed by the Police in Scotland to develop potential police leaders and managers. It has been derived from the extensive research into training needs,occupational requirements and the best practice worldwide. It is a qualification in its own right being validated by SQA as a Professional Development Award and sits on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework at level 8 with 120 credit points.

The Diploma in Police Service Leadership and Management (DPSLM) consists of 8 Higher National (HN) Units across 4 Modules with another overarching HN Unit: Developing Skills of Personal Effectiveness.

These Units are delivered by distance learning from the Scottish Police College and supported by a dedicated team of tutors and assessors. The programme will, ordinarily, take officers 18 months to complete and will involve on average eight to twelve hours of study per week.

Access to other Higher Education (HE) programmes is available on successful completion of the Diploma. A consortium of universities led by the University of the West of Scotland offers a BSc (Honours) in Policing. Students who pass the DPSLM will normally meet the entry requirements for the BSc. Access to other HE courses and accerditation for prior learning will depend on individual institutions.

Access

The Diploma is open to serving police officers in Scotland who have successfully completed their probationer training (minimum 2 years).

Officers seeking to undertake the Diploma must apply through their individual force who are responsible for selecting and nominating successful applicants.

Prior to applying for the Diploma, officers must fully consider the level of commitment required to complete their studies.

The inaugural cohort of the Diploma commenced in April 2007. At any time there is an average of 1000 officers studying for the Diploma in Scotland.