Singapore Police to gain Justice Studies degrees

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Current senior members of the Singapore Police Force and serving officers seeking professional development to further their studies have the opportunity to undertake the Bachelor of Justice (International Policing) degree which was implemented as a result of ongoing collaboration between QUT and the Singapore Police Force.

Members of the Singapore Police Force holding an Advanced Diploma in Police Studies from Temasek Polytechnic will, upon the successful completion of three semesters of part time study (equivalent to 6 units), be awarded the JS91 Bachelor of Justice (International Policing).

Introduced in 2001, the course offers Singapore Police officers the opportunity to undertake a specially designed suite of specialist units delivered by School of Justice staff in Singapore.

At the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at a special ceremony in 2001, Professor Malcolm Cope, former Dean of the Faculty of Law (1997-2003) said QUT was approached by Temasek Polytechnic in 1997 seeking Advanced Standing for their students. After reviewing the programs the School of Justice agreed to provide course material and teaching assistance for the Bachelors degree.

In his statement, Professor Cope noted "The Faculty has specifically designed a major in International Policing to enable the awarding of the QUT Bachelor of Justice (International Policing) to members of the Singapore Police Force who complete the program". "This will fill a gap in programs available to the Singapore Police arising out of a lack of specialised program in Justice or Police Studies at degree level locally."

The QUT program was designed with a two-fold purpose, firstly to allow students easy transition from the Advanced Diploma in Police Studies to a Bachelors degree by applying recognised advanced standing for their previous studies, and secondly giving students an in depth understanding and skills for the prevention of crime not only in South East Asia but internationally with the knowledge and research gained in the course.

The agreement and arrangement to offer this unique course not only has benefits for the School of Justice, the university and Queensland's relationship with Singapore, but above all to the students who have to opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills which can be translated to their workforce. Furthermore, this collaboration between QUT and the Singapore Police Force signifies confidence by the command of the police service that QUT can offer equally meritorious programs as those offered by other prestigious overseas universities. The uniqueness of the units offered in the program focus on Asian economic crime, global crime trends and the psychology of offending and investigating and so, are of direct relevance to the work of the Singapore police officers.