Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire constabularies confirmed Anglia Ruskin University will deliver the Police Education Qualification Framework (PEQF) from June next year for a seven-force partnership.

The Seven Force Strategic Collaboration Programme have procured and will coordinate the contract between Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk, Essex and Kent.

The university ranked among the top-50 in the UK, will deliver the three-year Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) to teach the degree professional policing practice. It will also provide the two year Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) for people who already have a degree and want to go into policing by obtaining a Professional Policing Practice diploma.

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore said:  “Policing is a fantastic career and this new qualification will enable us to attract and develop the highest calibre candidates across the region.   This new national training programme will ensure our officers have the expertise necessary to meet the challenges of policing in the 21st century. I am also delighted to see local university, Anglia Ruskin successfully securing the contract to provide this training.”

Cambridgeshire described the two programmes as “the biggest change in policing for a generation”.

The deal with Anglia Ruskin University will deliver a blow to the other universities in the region that are under significant financial pressure due to cuts in higher education, a drop in the number of international students and the introduction of the Trailblazer apprenticeships.

Canterbury Christchurch University in Kent is also currently running a degree course accepted by the College of Policing.

The decision will leave one of the world’s most famous universities to offer masters degrees for senior officers looking to move into specialist roles within bigger forces such as the Metropolitan Police.

Cambridge University’s masters in Applied Criminology and Police Management is designed to provide post-graduate education for present and future senior police leaders in crime prevention and harm-reduction issues, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based policy and practice.

The new policing degrees have been introduced by the College of Policing to reflect the challenges of modern policing in the digital era.

Charlie Hall Chief Constable for Hertfordshire said: “The existing Initial Policing Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP) was recognised by the College of Policing as no longer fit for purpose and therefore all police forces will be using the transformative new professional framework, for the training of Police Officers.

“The national changes have been implemented to further professionalise policing as a career and reflect and acknowledge the high level of service required from an officer in today’s complex and challenging policing environment.”

With diversity now a critical issue for forces across the country, the new degrees could be used as a way to make police ranks reflect better the communities they serve.

Cambridgeshire’s Chief Constable, Nick Dean, said: “Policing is a great career. I hope this adds to its appeal and it results in many more people, from a diverse range of backgrounds and life experiences, applying to join the policing family in Cambridgeshire.”