Main elements of the Diploma in Police Studies
Basic police training is divided into five fields of education: field operations, traffic, crime prevention, communication and information systems, and the use of force.
Other subjects including law, psychology, sports and languages are taught in addition to the professional areas of police training. During their education, students take a test to prove dual national language proficiency as demanded of all state officials in Finland. In addition to Finnish and Swedish, students also study English as part of their basic training.
Basic studies include lectures that cover theory as well as different types of practical exercises. The majority of studies are contact learning. Students also have distance learning days and weeks, during which they are expected to complete independent work and study assignments.
Studies in professional skills emphasise investigative and active learning as well as improvement of problem solving and data collection skills. On-the-job learning modules are an essential part of studies.
» Further information on the structure of Diploma in Police Studies
Field operations
Field operations training provides students with basic professional skills in common police surveillance and emergency operations. The studies involve, e.g. general police studies, police law, physical education, psychology and emergency first aid.
Traffic
Traffic teaching provides students with basic competence in traffic surveillance, traffic violation investigation and the use of a police car. Vehicle instruction incorporates, e.g. vehicle handling and driving in various environments and under special circumstances. Traffic teaching also involves legislation studies.
Crime prevention
The aim of crime prevention studies is to provide students with basic competence for carrying out pre-trial investigations in common criminal offence cases. In addition to tactical and technical criminal investigation, the studies include criminal law, criminal procedural law, civil law, psychology and Finnish language studies.
Communication and information systems
Training in communication and information systems provides basic abilities for using the police data systems, the official radio network and terminals and police field software, as well as for handling daily police-related communications.
Use of force
Studies on the use of force provide basic abilities for managing situations that require the use of force. The training includes police tactics and the use of physical force, as well as training on the use of force equipment and protective gear.
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