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Wrexham University students can now experience what it’s like to work in the custody unit of a police station thanks to a novel recycling scheme by North Wales Police and the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin. This has seen a surplus-to-requirements custody desk from a local police station installed at the campus for the benefit of students’ practical studies. The unveiling of the new facility took place today (3 October) by the Andy Dunbobbin and Vice Chancellor Professor Joe Yates from Wrexham University.
The Professional Policing Degree at Wrexham University is now in its fifth year and is licenced by the College of Policing. The course is led by a number of ex-officers of North Wales Police including Senior Lecturer in Policing and former Temporary District Inspector (and Custody Sergeant) Andy Jones, and fellow Senior Lecturers, former local Sergeant Darren Jacks, and former Detective Andy Crawford.
As part of the continual process of seeking to develop and improve the student experience, the lecturing staff at Wrexham University identified the development of a mock custody unit as a priority to enhance the student experience. Given the great working relationship that the University has with the local Force, they contacted North Wales police who saw the value in reusing a recently decommissioned custody desk for the benefit of students.
With the installation of the desk, students will be able to role play and learn how to deal with different scenarios as people are received into custody. This will be especially helpful in the second year of the degree course, where a practical element is required. In addition to Professional Policing Degree students, the facility will also benefit students from other programmes across the University including Law, Criminology, Social Work and Forensic Science, who will be able to role play going to assist a client in custody. It will also help paramedic students, who may in future have to attend somebody who needs assistance or has had a medical episode in custody.
Andy Jones commented: “For lots of new police officers, going into custody can be daunting so I hope this new unit will give them confidence, and teach about vulnerable situations they might encounter and other interactions they might have as they enter into their future roles.”
As well as officially opening the new custody unit, the visitors on the day saw a live demonstration of the unit in action, had a tour of the facility, and heard insightful talks from experts in the field.
Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, commented: “It was a pleasure to visit Wrexham University and inaugurate the new custody desk. I hope it will give Professional Policing degree students a practical insight into how it feels to be an officer in a custody unit. I am also pleased that students on other courses will be able to use the facility to give a real flavour of situations they may encounter in their professional lives. Given the importance placed by all public bodies on recycling and engaging with the community, this is a great example of reuse with a purpose for the benefit of education and local people.”
Wrexham University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Joe Yates added: “This innovative facility is designed to provide our Professional Policing students with hands-on training in real-life custody scenarios. By simulating the process of booking individuals into custody, we aim to better prepare the next generation of police officers for the challenges of law enforcement.”