Police College

The Foundation Faculty supports the development of student officers and probationary constables to maximise the potential of every officer within the first two years of service. 

All training is operationally relevant providing student officers with the understanding, knowledge and skills required of a Police Constable.

The first stage of foundation training is the 21 week student officer development programme which incorporates a range of classroom teaching, practical exercises and assessment. The programme develops and inspires student officers to become resourceful and flexible police officers who consistently demonstrate policing with the community behaviours.

Our People Strategy 2025 promotes the ethos that we are ‘Leaders at all Levels’, and the Leadership Development Faculty provide Learning and Development opportunities for ‘Our People’ throughout their leadership journey. 

We run a range of programmes from the nationally delivered Senior Leaders Development Programme, to tailored courses designed in-house by skilled practitioners, to online learning and virtual masterclasses. 

The College of Policing ‘Senior Leaders Development Programme’ is provided to senior colleagues at Deputy Principal grade and Chief Inspector rank and above. 

The Leadership Development Programme is a bespoke programme for EO2, EO1 and Sergeants, which focuses on how effective management and leadership impacts on performance, team effectiveness, engagement and increased wellbeing. Participants gain understanding of how their own leadership style and personality preference can impact on their performance as a leader.

Through our excellent relationships with Academic Institutes and Statutory Partners, we offer colleagues the opportunity to study for a range of qualifications, such as a Level 7 Diploma in Leadership.

Crime Faculty delivers a range of nationally licensed and locally accredited courses to assist officers in the development of their investigative skills. A full range of detective courses have been designed to meet the needs of all our investigative detectives, from those new-to-role through to our most senior detectives and those specialist investigators dealing with serious sexual crime.

Crime Faculty also delivers specialist interviewing training for investigators dealing with victims, witnesses and suspects. Other courses have been designed to provide bespoke training in line with the specific requirements of the various disciplines within the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Ultimately, it is the role of Crime Faculty to equip officers with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage serious, complex, organised and major crime.

All courses are delivered in conjunction with, or with significant input from partner agencies..

Tactical Training Faculty delivers training in operational & non-operational Firearms, Armed Response, Tactical Firearms, Boats, Close Protection, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear), Public Order, Dogs, First Aid, Search and Traffic and Driver Training.

Expertise in this area of training has been forged over years of policing Northern Ireland’s unique landscape. This experience helps place us at the at the forefront of operational training at both a national and international level, able to provide unique and pioneering training. Due to this experience Tactical Training Faculty provides training to police in both Great Britain and Republic of Ireland as well other services worldwide.

Learning Technologies Faculty delivers a wide range of technology focused training in three main areas.

Immersive Learning

This team develops and supports of immersive learning exercises at the Police Service of Northern Ireland's two Hydra suites and the production of other audio/visual training material.

Hydra exercises are currently receiving excellent feedback within the Student Officer Development Programme and Probationer Development Programmes and are also used widely by other College specialisms such as Investigative Training, Leadership and Tactical Training and for other District and Multi Agency exercises. 

E-Learning

This team designs, develops and manages all of the Police Service of Northern Ireland's courses delivered via desktop computers, laptop and mobile devices. Our “Classis” Learning Management System currently supports the delivery of various Training Programmes across the organisation. 

Information and Communication Training

This team delivers ICT training that covers a range of Police information systems, radios and mobile devices. The training team works closely with college faculties and various police departments to ensure timely training delivery and support.