Staffordshire Police’s Early Intervention & Prevention Unit (EIPU) are the latest to undertake an accredited qualification from the Police Crime Prevention Academy (PCPA) in support of their specialist roles.
Seven members of the EIPU, along with the Strategic Manager, are working towards a Level 4 Crime Prevention for Practitioners qualification facilitated by the Academy, which is the ProQual approved centre with an exclusive link to the Secured by Design initiative.
The EIPU was set up in March 2020 and is a team of specialist problem solvers, advising officers and staff in how to deal with some of the crimes and vulnerability issues arising during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first of its type in the country, the EIPU gives specialist advice and guidance on different areas of vulnerability such as domestic abuse, child exploitation, mental health, stalking and harassment, hate crime and drugs and alcohol intervention/prevention.
The team are also involved in the prevention of business/retail, rural and night-time economy crime.
The Level 4 Crime Prevention for Practitioners qualification supports those who provide specialist advice within their role, and also provides a stepping stone to the Academy’s Level 5 Diploma in Crime Prevention – Designing Out Crime.
Diane Malkin, Strategic Manager Vulnerability, Early Intervention & Prevention, Staffordshire Police, said: “This is a great opportunity for Staffordshire Police to expand on existing provision already within the Force. By undertaking this training we will be able to build resilience in relation to our crime prevention delivery and strengthen the force delivery in relation to problem solving.
“Those staff gaining the qualification whilst working within the Early Intervention and Prevention Unit will go on to support neighbourhood policing and wider force areas in relation to harm reduction initiatives.”
Speaking on behalf of the PCPA, the Head of Academy, Guy Collyer, added: “The Academy was delighted to have the opportunity to work with Staffordshire Police to support the effectiveness of this new unit and to increase their capacity to progress the preventative strand in their respective areas of work and collectively. The delegates brought a wide range of work and personal experiences to the qualification, which they can build on with the support of the Academy.”
For further information about the range of qualifications offered by the Academy, visit: https://www.crimepreventionacademy.com/ or email [email protected].