“Mind the Gap” – evaluating the integration of police degree and evidence-based policing

The College of Policing in the UK introduced the Policing Educational Qualifications Framework (PEQF) in 2016. With the collaboration of the Higher Education sector, the framework aims to bring consistent and evidence-based policing practice into professional police training and development. The police qualification is, therefore, aligned with national higher educational standards like other professions (College of Policing, 2016). In 2019, new police constable recruits will have three entry routes for entering policing role: Apprenticeship, Pre-join Degree and Degree-holder Entry.