York St John University celebrates first graduating cohort in Professional Policing Practice

York St John University and Humberside Police have proudly celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of students from the Bachelor of Science honours degree in Professional Policing Practice. In their graduation ceremony, held in York Minster on 14 November, 42 graduates were recognised for completing this innovative three-year degree apprenticeship, marking a significant milestone in police education and training. 

The programme is part of the nationally approved Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship standard introduced by the College of Policing. It is designed to elevate educational standards and prepare officers for the complexities of modern policing. Graduates benefited from a blend of academic study and frontline police training, equipping them with a comprehensive understanding of law, policy, procedure, and operational skills to serve their communities effectively. 

Unlike traditional lecture-based teaching, the degree embedded academic learning directly within police training. Students benefited from workshops, group projects and interactive sessions, supported by 24/7 access to online learning materials. The programme also used virtual reality technology in teaching to deliver immersive and practical training experiences.  

Among the graduating class of 42 police constables, three students received special recognition for their outstanding achievements: 

• Raychel Delph: Achieved the highest classification by subject. 

• Taylor Brown and Hayden Tice: Earned the highest marks for their dissertations, demonstrating exceptional academic and practical understanding. 

Earlier this year, graduating student Alexa Harkins won Health & Public Service Apprentice of the Year at the North Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024, while balancing the responsibilities of academic study and working as a response officer with Humberside Police. 

Thomas Burton, Head of Apprenticeship Delivery at York St John University said: 

“The unique blend of education and operational preparation reflects the shared expertise of York St John University and Humberside Police. With contributions from criminology, psychology, education, and police studies, the degree apprenticeship is a forward-thinking approach to equipping the next generation of police officers.  

“In addition, the programme exemplifies a commitment to raising educational standards within policing. It aligns with a broader national framework that recognises the critical skills and capabilities required to meet future policing challenges. Congratulations to the first graduating cohort, who now embark on promising careers with Humberside Police.” 

Reflecting on the success of the programme, Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin from Humberside Police said: 

“It’s always a pleasure to share the success of our people and I extended my warmest congratulations to all those who graduated through the degree apprenticeship. This could not have happened without the unwavering support of frontline colleagues and managers, as well as the teams from Learning and Development, Talent Acquisition, Wellbeing, and York St John University lecturers. The shared values, beliefs, and attitudes of our people are imperative in helping to deliver our vision, and we firmly believe our people are the key to our success.” 

A second cohort of Professional Policing Practice degree apprentices are due to complete their studies in 2025.