The University of Worcester, West Mercia Police and e-learning company Indegu Ltd have joined forces to develop an awareness course for police staff on how climate change could impact policing in the future.
The online programme is designed to educate on climate change and sustainability, its impact and the challenges it might present. It is particularly focused on raising awareness of how climate change-related issues or incidents might shape West Mercia Police’s operations. For example, a heatwave might affect rates of violent crime or extreme weather like flooding might lead to more traffic-related incidents.
Sustainability staff at West Mercia Police worked with an expert in sustainability in the University’s Business School, Principal Lecturer Dr Kay Emblen-Perry, to develop the content of the training course, while e-learning company Indegu made it a reality.
Titled Beyond the Beat: Climate Change & Environmental Challenges for West Mercia Police, it will form part of the training provisions for all police staff at West Mercia Police from 2025.
Several other forces have expressed an interest in the resource and, if it proves successful in the West Mercia force, those involved hope the course could be rolled out to other police forces across the country.
The training looks at how climate change is affecting the police through increases in incidents, specific crimes, extreme weather, and protest and activism on climate change related issues. It also explores the science behind climate change and carbon emissions, the wider impacts this has on the economy, society, and environment, and environmental legislation and how it can be applied.
The course also explores actions that West Mercia Police is taking to create a greener, more sustainable police force, as well as guidance on actions individuals can take to support reduction in climate change both at home and at work.
Principal Lecturer in Sustainable Management at the University of Worcester, Dr Emblen-Perry, said: “We hope the course will empower everyone within West Mercia Police to act on climate change. We have been able to combine our expertise in this area alongside those of West Mercia Police to create relevant training that we hope will make a difference to police officers across the West Mercia region dealing with the effects of climate change on a day-to-day basis and aid their understanding of the challenges that may arise from things like extreme weather events. We hope it will give them a greater understanding of what climate change is, and its wider impact on society and therefore also on policing and what they can do to contribute to the mitigation of climate change as individuals and as part of a wider policing community.”
Chris Speakman, Environment Manager Sustainability Manager at West Mercia Police, said: “The link between policing and climate change isn’t always immediately obvious. This training module, supported by the University of Worcester and Indegu, makes that connection very clear, highlighting how climate change affects policing operations, emergency response, crime, and ultimately the wellbeing of our communities, both now and in the future.”
Tracey Marlow-Jones, Director at Indegu Ltd, said: “We’re proud to have collaborated to bring ‘Beyond the Beat: Climate Change & Environmental Challenges for West Mercia Police’ to life. This innovative online programme will equip frontline officers with critical awareness. We are committed to creating impactful e-learning solutions that prepare organisations like West Mercia Police for the future.”
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email [email protected]