Police work

Education

Police work involve studies of the police force and policing practices. Our courses are grounded in social sciences, meaning we adhere to traditional social science research questions, methods, and theories. Topics of interest include the police organisation, training, professional practice, and policing methods.

In these courses, students develop their analytical thinking, learn to scrutinise and assess, gather and compile relevant information, and independently conduct smaller studies and evaluations. All these skills are vital for police officers.

Academic studies in police work have existed in an international context for about sixty years, offering a wealth of knowledge to be learned. In Sweden, the subject is younger but rapidly developing.

At Linnaeus University, students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in police work. We offer three courses that build upon the Police Education and Training Programme (120 credits):

• Advanced course I (30 credits, in Swedish)
• Advanced course II (15 credits, in Swedish)
• Independent bachelor's thesis (15 credits, in Swedish)

Research

Police research is conducted in collaboration with other units within Linnaeus University, other higher education institutions that offer police training, and international partners. Police science primarily lies within the practical applications of social sciences and law that are relevant for police operations, but also within police-related areas within organisational theory and criminology.

Currently, research is primarily conducted in areas such as:

• criminal policy
• youth relations with the police
• interrogation techniques
• legal assistance
• practical skills related to stress

The Police Education and Training Programme also participates in development projects within crime prevention methodology and collaboration, police IT applications, and new methods for weapons training.