The University of Northampton’s Criminal and Corporate Investigation course has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mitie, the UK facilities management and security services contractor.
Northampton’s Criminal and Corporate Investigation Programme has been developed to create the skilled, graduate level investigators to manage corporate crime risks in the security sector. According to the MOU, Mitie and Northampton are looking to partner on research into criminality and criminal trends; to develop the academic curriculum to see that it reflects the security risks and crime techniques.
The partnership will be managed through Mitie’s Northampton-based Global Security Operations Centre (GSOC), featured in the November 2019 print issue of Professional Security magazine. The GSOC is manned 24 hours, monitoring for potential threats and security risks for retail and other clients. The GSOC will support the Criminal and Corporate Investigation Programme by providing course-relevant presentations and offering work experience opportunities for students, besides sharing their experiences at Open Days and Career Fairs – with the aim of attracting potential new recruits from the course.
Course Leader at Northampton is John Fox, a former police detective. He said: “We live in changing times where criminals are developing their capabilities quickly. Our partnership with Mitie will develop the way universities, and the business community, alongside our partners in law enforcement, can work together to develop our capabilities to deter, detect and disrupt criminality. Our students graduate with a sound theoretical grounding, and working more closely with Mitie, will have more hands-on, industry relevant experience during their studies.”
The Criminal and Corporate Investigation degree programme covers interview techniques, the law on investigations and cyber-crime, what is admissible evidence, crime scene management and preparing for criminal justice proceedings.
Jason Towse, MD of Mitie Security, pictured, said: “Ensuring we have new talent with fresh thinking and innovative ideas plays a critical role in keeping the UK, and Mitie, at the forefront of the global security industry. We look forward to sharing our expertise and helping to develop the next generation of security experts in partnership with the University of Northampton.”
Northampton academic staff will be available to teach modules to Mitie GSOC employees.
About the course; it starts in September, runs full-time for three years at the uni’s Waterside campus. Visit https://www.northampton.ac.uk/courses/criminal-and-corporate-investigation-ba-hons/.
