Writtle University College and ARU have merged. Writtle’s full range of college, degree, postgraduate and short courses will still be delivered on the Writtle campus. See our guide to finding Writtle information on this site.

About the Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF)

A vision for policing 2025

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) Policing Vision 2025 aims that “By 2025 policing will be a profession with a more representative workforce that will align the right skills, powers and experience to meet challenging requirements.”

What is the PEQF?

The PEQF (Policing Education Qualifications Framework) supports this vision for policing and is a new, professional framework for the training of police officers and staff.

Based upon a new modern curricula aligned with the education levels set in England and Wales, this framework will over time cover the range of professional training for police officers through the ranks of constable through to chief officer. It will also encompass many police staff, police community support officers (PCSO) and special constables.

Why the change?

One of the fundamental requirements of a profession is the basis on which practitioners (officers and staff) are allowed to exercise a high degree of individual autonomy and independence of judgement.

The criteria which define professional discretion vary, but common core elements are:

  • a specialist knowledge base
  • a distinct ethical dimension
  • continuing professional development (CPD) requirements, and
  • standards of education

The PEQF provides graduates with these qualities.

The new PEQF routes with ARU

At ARU we have partnered with the Metropolitan Police Service and the 7 Forces in the East of England to provide two new PEQF entry routes into policing; the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) and Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP).

Explore the police entry routes