VISITORS to the Warrington campus of the university often ask if there is a problem, when they see police officers patrolling the grounds.

However this activity is merely part of the university Police training provision!

The nature of training may be changing for The Police however, with the College of Policing’s consultation paper on making policing a ‘graduate profession’. Many excellent serving officers do not have degrees, so why the need for the introduction of the qualification?

Historically the training cost has been placed upon the police force.

In recent years this took the form of foundation degrees and the cost moved from the Force to individuals. In other professions it is usual for applicants to be suitably qualified before entry. Why should it not be the case here too?

As officers progress through their careers they may be leading large teams, managing extensive resources, planning and co-ordinating and dealing with complex developments in areas such as fraud and cyber-crime.

These all require higher-level skills, typical of a graduate. Isn’t it right that the fundamentals should be in position before starting the job? Along with some common sense too, whatever that may be?

n LAWRENCE Bellamy writes a regular column for business.