| CODE | CRI0108 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Public Protection and Response Policing | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 00 - Mod Pre-Tert, Foundation, Proficiency & DegreePlus | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 4 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Criminology | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit focuses on the role and responsibilities of first responders in various incidents, emphasizing their administrative, reporting, and procedural duties. It also delves into the roles of other personnel involved in the response, including call takers, control room staff, and supervisory officers, highlighting the importance of maintaining professional standards and managing community expectations. Key considerations in response policing are explored, including safeguarding, intelligence gathering, investigation, and effective communication. The study-unit also discusses the use of technology, such as body-worn cameras, to enhance response policing and improve efficiency while addressing potential implications. Various incident types that first responders may encounter are examined, ranging from non-crime-related incidents to serious and complex crimes, emphasizing the importance of recognizing vulnerability and providing appropriate support. Practical responses, including reactive versus proactive policing, and handling public order situations are also covered. Legislation and guidance associated with protecting the public from harm are outlined, including offenses related to child abuse, domestic abuse, modern slavery, and human trafficking. The study-unit emphasizes the need for first responders to recognize potential signs of abuse or harm and take appropriate actions to safeguard victims and witnesses. The impact of abuse on victims, initial assessment of victim and witness needs, and procedures for responding to incidents of rape, sexual offenses, and sudden death are discussed in detail. Additionally, considerations for operational unarmed initial responders in incidents involving firearms, knives, or other lethal weapons are addressed, along with the importance of caring for victims and handling physical evidence effectively. Overall, the study-unit provides a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities and challenges faced by first responders in various incidents, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, ethical conduct, and effective communication in ensuring the safety and well-being of the public. Study-Unit Aims: - The response policing role, including associated risks and pressures, procedures, administrative and reporting responsibilities as well as public views and expectations of police contact and key considerations in response policing such as potential threat/risk of harm to self and others, safeguarding evidence as well as effective use of technology including the use of body-worn camera in response policing; - Incident-handling and evolving complexities including principles of incident management, types of common incidents that first responders may attend including both crime and non-crime related incidents as well as practical responses (reactive vs proactive policing) in incident-handling including dealing with public order/public safety situations and awareness of vulnerability and caring for victims; - Importance of collaboration with other agencies (including voluntary organisations) and recognising that the police may not be the most appropriate agency to deal with the incident; - Recording, preserving and collecting physical evidence and handling information and intelligence in a response environment; - Searches, including establishing whether there are grounds for a lawful search or a lawful entry and search, gaining authority for the search, and limitations; - Legislation and guidance associated with protecting the public from harm and recognising potential sources of abuse/harm, including impact of abuse on victims; - Actions by first responder, including responder鈥檚 role as an investigator and the investigative mind-set, and awareness of personal biases. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Review the scope of the response policing role, including associated risks and pressures; - Deal with issues of vulnerability when responding to incidents; - Explain key definitions, legislation and guidance associated with protecting the public from harm; - Explain the breadth of potential sources of abuse. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply response policing to different types of incident and crime encountered; - Apply practical policing skills when attending an incident as a first responder; - Carry out a lawful search/entry and search; - Safeguard the general public from harm; - Be emphatic on the impact of abuse on a victim; - Take appropriate initial actions to protect the public from harm when responding to incidents as a first responder. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Criminal Code, Chapter 9 of the Laws of Malta. - Victims of Crime Act, Chapter 539 of the Laws of Malta. - The White Slaves Traffic (Suppression) Ordinance, Chapter 63 of the Laws of Malta. - Minor Protection (Alternative Care) of 2019, Chapter 602 of the Laws of Malta. - Victim Support Agency, Legal Notice 418 of 2020. Supplementary Readings: - Ghazvini, M. F. (2002). Police protection to victims of crime. Deep & Deep Publications. - Greenberg, S. F. (2017). Frontline Policing in the 21st Century. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG. - Greenberg, S. F. (2017). Patrol Preparedness. In Frontline Policing in the 21st Century (pp. 87鈥�151). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG. - Greenberg, S. F. (2017). Additional Patrol Activities. In Frontline Policing in the 21st Century (pp. 305鈥�412). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG. - Greenberg, S. F. (2017). Patrol Preparedness. In Frontline Policing in the 21st Century (pp. 87鈥�151). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG. - Grieve, J., Harfield, C., & MacVean, A. (2007). Public Engagement and the Police. In Policing. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. - McShane, Williams, McShane, Marilyn, & Williams, Franklin P. (1997). Victims of crime and the victimization process. Garland. - Sheldon, B., & Williams, P. (2022). Understanding policing and professional practice (1st ed.). - England: Critical Publishing. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualifications: 4 Ordinary level qualifications (including Maltese and English) OR Extended Diploma in Foundation Studies for Security, Enforcement and Protection Law. | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Charlot Casha Saviour Formosa (Co-ord.) Reuben Lanfranco John Spiteri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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