University of Cumbria strengthens national leadership in police education through new Metropolitan Police Service partnership
The University of Cumbria will play a major role in delivering police education for the UK’s largest police force after the Police Education Consortium secured a significant contract to deliver the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). The programme will support the education and training of approximately 300 new police recruits each year.
The Police Education Consortium - comprising the University of Cumbria, Middlesex University, Canterbury Christ Church University, and the University of Portsmouth - has an established reputation for delivering high‑quality, practice‑based police education across the UK. Since 2019, it has trained more than 3,300 police constables across four forces in the Southeast of England, and in 2024 its PCDA was named Best Apprenticeship Programme in Public Services.
The partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service further strengthens the University of Cumbria’s position as a national leader in police education. The university already works with Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley and Hampshire police forces, delivering high‑quality, evidence‑informed learning that prepares officers for the realities of modern policing.
Working through the consortium, the University of Cumbria will help design and deliver the PCDA programme for London’s newest officers, blending academic learning with operational policing experience. The first cohort is due to commence in April 2026.
This new partnership aligns with the MPS’s New Met for London strategy, which places trust, professionalism and community confidence at its core. High‑quality police education is central to achieving this ambition.
The PCDA will equip new officers with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to deliver ethical, fair and community‑focused policing. Through reflective and evidence‑informed practice, recruits will be supported to meet the complex and diverse needs of London’s communities.
Ash Hunt, Deputy Director, Institute of Business, Industry & Leadership, University of Cumbria, said:
“We're really proud to secure the Metropolitan Police Service contract through the Police Education Consortium. This award strengthens the University of Cumbria's national leadership in police education and builds on the strong outcomes we deliver with forces in Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley, and Hampshire. It positions us as a key contributor to the Met’s organisational reform and aligns with our vision to extend our reach and impact, ensuring our expertise supports high‑quality, future‑focused policing across the UK.”
Gareth Hughes, Principal Lecturer in Policing, University of Cumbria, added:
“Our consortium is proud to be awarded the Metropolitan Police Service contract to deliver the degree apprenticeship programme. This milestone reinforces our leadership in police education and reflects the high‑quality design and outstanding support delivered by our academic and assessment teams.”
Professor Darryll Bravenboer, Chair of the Police Education Consortium, said:
“This partnership demonstrates the strength of the Police Education Consortium in delivering world‑class police education. By working hand in hand with the Met, we can ensure that recruits develop the professional skills, values and confidence needed to build trust and make a positive impact in the communities they serve.”
Alex Walsh, Director of Learning & Development, Metropolitan Police Service, commented:
“Our new partnership with the Police Education Consortium demonstrates a step change in our approach to delivery of the PCDA. We welcome the expertise and experience they bring. This will enable us to offer new recruits a choice of training paths while maintaining a strong focus on high‑quality, practical operational training that sets officers up to deliver the best service for London’s communities from day one.”