Digital investigations training offered through Police Crime Prevention Academy

Police Crime Prevention Academy leader Guy Collyer has explained that this is a major milestone for the Academy, which was founded in 2017 by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, the not-for-profit organisation owned by the UK police service which has become a ‘major catalyst for crime prevention’ through working with partner organisations to deter and reduce criminality.

The Academy is now an established crime prevention learning and development supplier providing accredited qualifications recognised by UK employers and courses for the public and private sectors.

It also runs the ‘PCPA Endorsed’ scheme, whereby companies which are not in competition with the Academy can apply to be scrutinised in order that they can achieve the ‘PCPA Endorsed’ standard. Successful applicants will then be able to use the logo and be listed on the Academy’s website.

Clients have included police forces in England and Wales, Police Scotland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Siochana – the police force of the Republic of Ireland – as well as security organisations like the military police, local authorities and community safety partnerships.

Available courses include an Introduction to Crime Prevention, Crime Prevention for Practitioners, Designing Out Crime, the Prevention of Extremism and Terrorism and Problem Solving.

Digital investigation skills

Guy Collier explained: “Having Blue Lights Digital as a ‘PCPA Endorsed’ supplier means that, if police forces or other organisations want training in digital investigative skills, we can make recommendations in the knowledge that this is a fit for purpose organisation which meets our standards as well as complementing what we provide.”

Based in the Officers’ Mess Business Centre at Duxford in Cambridge, Blue Lights Digital boasts strong links to law enforcement and military.

Claire Stanley, business development manager for Blue Lights Digital, said: “Our team of trainers draw on decades of experience in law enforcement combined with in-depth knowledge of an array of tools to design and deliver both certified and bespoke training courses to any audience. Trainers are able to travel throughout the UK and worldwide to schedule deliveries to suit client circumstances, or alternatively we can offer many training options remotely to groups that may be spread geographically.”

Paul Young, head of learning and futures at Blue Lights Digital, noted: “The endorsement from the Police Crime Prevention Academy is an important milestone for us. The application of digital investigation skills has evolved and should form as much a part of prevention as it does being a key enabler for investigation. I’m hugely grateful that our services have been recognised in this way and now look forward to delivering real value, working with our existing partners as well as forging new collaborations.”