Week 1

Introduction - Unit overview and Objectives.  This session gives an overview of Unit Guide on assessments, expectations etc. Once this is completed the session examines the fundamentals in the birth of policing from Ancient Japan, Greece and France. What occurred centuries ago in 'policing' is still reflected in 2018.  

Week 2 

 Birth of Policing in Colonial Australia. This week contrast how policing in Australia commenced 64 years before the appearance of Peels Police.It explores for example, how and why policing in Australia became semi-militarised. It compares the Australian policing setting to that of England about the same period. The two social environments that lead to different policing styles could not be more dissimilar.

Week 3

 International Policing Systems.   Scholars who advocate democratic policing have identified several tenets that are fundamental to democratic policing, such as the rule of law, accountability to the public, open decision making, minimal use of force, involvement of public in policing, maximum respect for human rights, and internal democracy in the organization. At the other end of the policing spectrum is authoritarian policing and religious police. This session will examine the systems of law enforcement and policing employed in some of those countries. Then session will providing a contrast with other policing systems and see how policing in Australia (& other Western Democratic) may benefit or not, from these policing regimes.  ​ 

Week 4

The Role of Government:As the military is necessary to provide external border protection, the participants in the Law Enforcement Industry are responsible for ensuring that the internal health of the community is protected. On that basis, the government/s of the day has a significant responsibility to put in place the policies, legislation and operating conditions to create both stability and security of the populace. Further, it needs to create the circumstances where the partnerships can develop and where appropriate flourish to provide the type and level of safety and security that the community needs. In looking at some of the different forms of government, their philosophical bases and decision making constraints, we can gain an understanding of both the complexity of their involvement and the impact that governments have on creating the most appropriate Law Enforcement Industry environment.

Week 5

Peacekeeping – the military/policing/private security challenges

This session examines the development and implementation of Law Enforcement in environments where the separation between the external goals of a nation and the internal goals of a community is less clear. There has been an increasing trend internationally for the global community to engage in securing “rogue” states and then bringing about stability through peacekeeping and community building activities. Whereas in developed nations the lines of demarcation between military and police/private contractors are well defined, in conflict zones the lines are less clear. At what point does a military operation become a law enforcement function? Can both operate concurrently? Do the military have a role in community building? These are just some of the issues that require greater analysis and thought.

Week 6

Customs/Border Protection:This is the first of the “drill down” subject areas that looks at the practicalities of how the Law Enforcement Industry operates. State police forces have clearly defined boundaries, responsibilities and authority. The same cannot be said for organised crime and criminals. Increasingly organised crime is operating on an international scale, with the movement of contraband and the proceeds of crime expanding beyond national borders. The partnership of national bodies such as Customs with police forces and private security organisations is crucial. The synergy that can be achieved through the application of powers, authority and capability is an important element of the ability of a nation to secure its borders. In this session we look at how it operates and analyse means by which greater synergy can be obtained.

Week 7

Immigration: In this session we examine another critical national agency and examine their role in the Law Enforcement Industry. Through the application of their agency specific powers and authority the Immigration authorities have the ability to prevent undesirables from entering the community or if once in the community have the authority to expel them. Whilst these functions are simple in description, the application of the powers and authority in a practical setting is far more complex and together with other participants in the Law Enforcement Industry, Immigration has a key role to play in providing a safe and secure community

Week 8

Counter Terrorism/Intelligence:Counter terrorism operations have become so complex in recent years that it is effectively an industry on its own. That of itself has created significant issues internationally as gaps in the coordination of prevention and response strategies have appeared. There has been a concerted push by governments to bring a greater sense of coordination to these vital public safety and security functions. In this session we will examine who these participants are and how they come together within the Law Enforcement context to create a cohesive operating environment and build perceptions of safety and security within the community.

Week 9

Public Agency Involvement: The advent of multi-layered partnerships between police forces and other publicly funded agencies has not happened by chance. It has been the result of a changing socio/political landscape that has placed greater emphasis on control of budgets and assignation of responsibility through decentralised decision making. Where once it was considered standard practice that to reduce crime an increase in police numbers was necessary, now there are an increasing number of public agencies providing safety and security functions to the Law Enforcement Industry. This session will look at what these agencies do and how they contribute to an improved level of safety and security in the community.

Week 10

Major Events:The increased mobility and affluence of the community has in recent years given rise to an increasing number of major events being conducted in world cities. These events are no longer confined to stadia nor purpose built structures. In fact those attending major events may not even attend for the purpose that the event was created. Major protests and community led reactions to issues that may in some way relate to the event can create even greater problems than the logistics of the event itself. Examples such as the G20, APEC and WTO meetings can attract tens of thousands of protestors even though the participants may number in the hundreds. The Olympic Games are held in at least 14 different facilities with many running concurrently, in addition to common domain locations. Iconic rock concerts can be held in open areas with little infrastructure. Even religious festivals such as World Youth Day which attract up to 2 million participants, may contain up to 21 separate events and be held in the most unusual of places including airstrips, race tracks, farms, mountain tops, rivers and harbours. The need for a collaborative effort between dozens of participants in the Law Enforcement Industry is paramount if these events are to be successful. This session will focus on the partnership practices that develop as organisations work together to provide a safe and secure environment.

Week 11

The Liquor Industry:Perhaps one of the most heavily regulated and controlled industries in the western world, the Liquor Industry provides a huge source of employment, wealth and entertainment to communities. Unfortunately, one of the by-products of these benefits has been the anti-social, criminal and often violent activities associated with the sale, distribution and service of alcohol. Policing resources are inordinately committed to alcohol related crime, but they are not the only agency to do so. A host of public agencies commit resources to compliance, investigation and prosecution of those in the Liquor Industry who work outside their obligations. The role of private security in the Liquor Industry is also significant. How then do the participants work together to develop more safe and secure environments? Are they successful? How can it be done better? What is the role of Government? These are just a few of the questions that will be dealt with in this session.

Week 12

Public/Private Spaces:The notion that public police are the sole provider of safety and security in either the public or private domain is completely outmoded. In the modern context local government, state government, national government and any number of private agencies all provide a level of service that collectively comprises law enforcement in public and private spaces. Critical infrastructure is protected by a host of participants. There are an increasing number of gated communities, controlled by private security. Shopping centres have private guards and access control. Public parks are patrolled by police, council officers and private security. How has this come to pass? How does it work? Are there best practice examples? This session will look at the environment that is security in public and private spaces.

Week 13

Future Directions:20 years ago the notion that commercial agents would perform such a broad range of operational functions that were the purview of public police would have been unthinkable. Yet here we are with private security organisations patrolling public streets, working in conflict zones, securing public assets, even controlling entry into public policing facilities. That, combined with the almost exponential increase in public agency enforcement and investigation functions has created an exceedingly complex Law Enforcement Industry. This session will examine trends and directions in law enforcement, considering further opportunities for development over the next decade.