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Dave transferred to the Leicester Business School from the Law School in July 2019. He was highly respected as our Partnerships and Innovation Lead and focused mainly on the criminal justice system, criminal law, policing, prisons and civil distraint. He used his distinctive style of Edutainment in learning and teaching to motivate, inspire and engage with students on all levels. Dave now uses his diverse expertise to engage with students and clients on our corporate and executive education programs. Dave has both national in international links in Business, Law, Education, Criminal Justice and Policing. One of his passions and areas of expertise is the collaboration on projects in Trinidad and Tobago, working with Law Enforcement Agents and Legal Education partners to create a real, long-lasting impact. 

He was formerly a Principal Lecturer and Academic Group Leader for Crime, Justice and public Law at Staffordshire University for almost 10 years. 

As a former Police Officer, qualified to the rank of Inspector, Dave carried out the roles of Patrol Officer, local Intelligence officer, Crime Action Group Sergeant, CID, Patrol Sergeant, Neighbourhood Sergeant and Reactive/PACE Inspector. Prior to this Dave has been a leader in both the Fire service (8 years) and the public transport sector (10 years) dedicating his whole life to working with and teaching and training others in various roles. 

In relation to education, Dave is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, A Teaching Excellence Fellow and holds a Master of Arts in Professional and Higher Education (MAPHE) and a Master of Laws (Legal Practice). He has an Institute for Learning (ILM) Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring in Management and Certificate in Coaching & Conflict Management and currently undertaking recognised qualifications in Mediation. Dave is also qualified solicitor (SRA) and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives FCILEx. 

As a strong believer and innovator in Edutainment, Dave uses an interactive method of teaching and learning by combining education and life skills in conjunction with entertainment. He finds this approach extremely effective in promoting higher engagement levels. This style of delivery pinpoints hands-on learning and stimulates individual and collective curiosity. Evidence shows that by adopting this approach and by presenting in a more interesting manner, students are more inclined to indulge in natural curiosity to further their knowledge. An example of Dave’s success in this field is demonstrated through his 'flipped classroom' approach. 

Dave is very passionate about widening access, social mobility, BAME and equality for all and concentrates on providing quality Pastoral care and Supporting and enhancing the 'student experience'. He does this by creating an inclusive learning environment and has won numerous awards, year on year, having been nominated by both his peers and the Students. 

You can follow Dave on

Tapp, D. and Martin, L.  (2019) Teaching with Teams: An introduction to teaching an undergraduate law module using Microsoft Teams. Innovative Practice in Higher Education. Vol 4 No. 1 

Tapp, D. (2016) Running County Lines - Dave Tapp on inner city gangs usage of telephone hotlines. Criminal Law and Justice Weekly Vol. 180 No.14

Martin, L and Tapp, D. (2016) Dipping One's Toes; The Innovative Use of Voice Thread in Higher Education. Innovative Practice in Higher Education. Vol 2 No.3

Tapp, D. and Martin, L.  (2015) Poster Presentations, Academic-lite! The LLB Experience. Innovative Practice in Higher Education. Vol 2 No. 2

Jenkinson, S. and Tapp, D.  (2015) Culture or Crime - Female Genital Mutilation. Criminal Law and Justice Weekly Vol. 179 No 15.

Tapp, D. and Martin, L.  (2014) We do not like old fashioned exams: the innovative use of alternative assessments on a Law Degree with a Foundation Year. Innovative Practice in Higher Education. Vol 2 No. 1

Jenkinson, S. and Tapp, D.  (2014) Culture or Crime - Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting. Criminal Law and Justice Weekly Vol. 178 No 48.

Tapp, D. and Jenkinson, S. (2013) Forced Marriage-Culture or Crime? Part I. Criminal Law and Justice Weekly Vol. 177 No.1

Tapp, D. and Jenkinson, S. (2013) Forced Marriage-Culture or Crime? Part II. Criminal Law and Justice Weekly Vol. 177 No.2

Tapp, D. and Jenkinson, S. (2013)-Trafficking of Children. Criminal Law and Justice Weekly Vol. 177 No.9

Tapp, D. (2013) The Innovative Use of Podcasting to Support Under-Represented Groups. Innovative Practice in Higher Education. Vol 1 No.3

Corporate & Executive Education 

Criminal Justice 

Criminal Law 

Penology and Offender Management 

Police Law, Policing issues and Misconduct 

Civil Distraint (Bailiff’s) 

Forced Marriage and Honor based violence 

Widening Access, Student Experience and Retention 

Innovative Teaching and Learning 

Flipped Learning 

Edutainment 

Corporate & Executive Education programs 

Criminal Justice 

Criminal Law 

Policing Methods 

Penology and Offender Management 

Civil Distraint 

Master of Arts in Professional and Higher Education (MAPHE)

Master of Laws (Legal Practice)

Institute for Learning (ILM) Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring in Management, 2015

Postgraduate Certificate in Legal Practice (LPC)

Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)

Certificate in Coaching & Conflict Management

Certificate in delivering lifelong Learning (City & Guilds)

Certified Management & Business Educator (CMBE)

Solicitor (SRA) 

Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (Fellow) 

Higher Education Academy (Senior Fellow) 

Society of Legal Scholars (Member) 

British Society of Criminology (Member) 

Association of Law Teachers (Member) 
Institute for Learning (Member) 

Howard League for Penal Reform (Member) 

TAPP, David and JENKINSON, Susan (2016) Women Empowerment - 'People from all backgrounds can make a difference’. 20th May 2016, Staffordshire University. (Unpublished)

TAPP, Dave and MARTIN, Louis (2016). The Innovative Use of Podcasting to Support Under-Represented Groups. Digital Capability: Transforming Our Learning and Teaching. Staffordshire University Learning and Teaching Conference presentation 2016, 7th July 2016, Staffordshire University Science and Technology Centre.

TAPP, David and JENKINSON, Susan (2016) Forced Marriage and Honour Based violence/Female Genital mutilation – Abuse, the victim’s journey, first contact. Staffordshire University Inter-Professional Education Conference presentation 2016, 1st August 2016, Dinwoodie Lecture Theatre, Shropshire Conference Centre (SECC) Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. (Unpublished)

MARTIN, Louis and TAPP, Dave (2015) Poster Presentations, Academic lite???, The LLB Experience in: Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, York University, 3rd September 2015.

TAPP, David and JENKINSON, Susan (2013) Forced Marriage and Students: a Staffordshire University and Karma Nirvana Collaboration In: Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, Edinburgh University, 5th September 2013. (Unpublished)

TAPP, David and JENKINSON, Susan (2013) Forced Marriage and Honour Based Violence. In: Faculty Research Seminar Series, 8th May 2013, Staffordshire University. (Unpublished)

TAPP, David and JENKINSON, Susan (2013) Forced Marriage and Honour Based violence. In: Faculty of Business, Education and Law TESS presentation 2013, 18th December 2013, Brindley Building, Staffordshire University. (Unpublished)

Having taken the lead on the delivery of the first Foundation Degree in Offender Management with a Partner SERCO (Justice) Dave has worked alongside an innovative team of professionals to deliver teaching and learning in a number of subject areas targeting strategies for reducing re-offending, contemporary issues in Criminal Justice & Health & Safety in the Prison environment. This program has been specifically designed to enhance the continuing professional development of staff working in the Prison service, leading to an award in skills for Justice Foundation Degree in Offender Management. Dave is developing further links working in other prisons to enhance their own teaching and learning packages. 

Dave has devised a bespoke training package to provide teaching and learning in areas of Distress and Distraint for Enforcement Agents (Bailiff’s). It is the first course of its kind in England and Wales and is a tailored specifically for our partners. This program has been delivered at various locations in the Country. The purpose of the course is to provide teaching and learning in areas of the Law, Conflict Management, Human Rights and Court Procedures. This will enhance the practical and theoretical knowledge base, leading to a Certificate of Credit in Civil Enforcement. 

He has also worked very closely with International Governing bodies, Institutions, Education Providers and Students in and around the Caribbean. 

Recently Dave has been instrumental as part of a working group, creating the first Level 3 Apprenticeship for Custody and Detention officers in England and Wales and due to its implementation and success has been asked to emulate a similar bespoke package for Scotland. 

Dave has been commissioned to design several short courses focused on themes such as Forced Marriage, Honour Based Violence, Child and Human Trafficking, Female Genital Mutilation and Running County Lines These courses are intended for Educators, Social Services, Local Authorities, probation service and the Voluntary Sector. 

Dave works on collaborative projects in Legal Education, Policing and Criminal Justice in Trinidad and Tobago and known for his expertise in this market, travelling between the two countries regularly creating impact whenever he can.

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