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Analyst Professional Development Programmes

Analyst Development Programme (ADP) and Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

The two-year PSNI Analyst Development Programme offers a proven framework for training and development.  In 2002 the programme won both National and Regional Training Awards for impact and excellence in learning and development.  In 2004 the Analysis Centre with the assistance of the Police College achieved accreditation as an Assessment Centre for an Open University qualification in Intelligence Analysis.  On 1 April 2005 the Centre formally established a Continuous Professional Development Programme for Police Analysts.  This is an ambitious and comprehensive programme for UK law enforcement analysts and sets a framework for long-term skills improvement and performance improvement. It is linked to a career structure as set out below:

Diagram showing the Analyst Development Programme

Learning and Development Activities

The Learning and Development team is based at the Analysis Centre and is comprised of Higher Police Analysts who are led by Assistant Director, Crime and Professional Development, responsible for facilitating the development of all Trainee Police Analysts, Police Analysts and Higher Police Analysts throughout their careers.

Learning and Development put together the initial seven-week training course for all new Trainee Police Analysts.  This is designed to introduce them to the organisation and the analysts’ role.  Following this initial course the trainees have monthly development days to provide learning required to support their development.  The team also guide the trainees through the Analyst Development Programme (ADP), providing advice and feedback and conducting assessment against the ADP competencies.  The aim is to provide Trainee Police Analysts with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform as a Police Analyst upon successful completion of the ADP.

The continuing development of Police Analysts and Higher Police Analysts is supported through the provision of monthly development days.  These days are learner driven and analysts are encouraged to identify useful subject matter and participate fully.  Key to these days is allowing experienced analysts to share their knowledge and expertise with each other for everyone’s benefit, as well as learning new skills and increasing their organisational awareness along the way.  The purpose is to build on the competencies provided through the ADP and encourage analysts to drive the analysis discipline forward and contribute to their own personal development.

Open University NVQ Assessment Centre

The PSNI Analysis Centre is accredited with the Open University Awarding Body (OUAB) as an Assessment Centre for the Level 3 award in Intelligence Analysis.  The PSNI Analysis Centre keen to promote further development of all analysts, and gain them a recognised qualification in their field, became an Assessment Centre in January 2004.  The Analysis Centre’s approach to assessment is designed to meet the specific learning needs of police analysts who have successfully completed the Analyst Development Programme.

The Learning and Development team plays a key role in the provision of NVQs to analysts.  The NVQ Co-ordinator sits within the team and all are active assessors helping analysts achieve the NVQ Level 3 in Intelligence Analysis.  As well as the structured development programmes Learning and Development are also responsible for identifying any additional learning and development opportunities on the basis of requirements and benefit to the individual and the organisation.

The following testimonials provide insights into the work of police analysts in PSNI.