FOI 73625
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 73625
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 16th April 2021. Please find below the response to your request:
I am writing with a Freedom of Information Request regarding driver training and capabilities for Special Constables within your constabulary and how/if it differs to the training and capabilities afforded to “Regular” Police Constables.
Please can you provide information, either written or (if applicable) provide supporting flow diagrams/policies/documents for the following:
1) What level of driver training is available to Regular Police Constables? Please break this down where applicable into the specific categories (e.g A2B car, response car, advanced car, motorbike, van, etc)
Please provide information of the minimum requirements for a Regular Police Constable to undertake this training (e.g length of service, rank, role, etc and if so, what).
Please provide information of the delivery of the training to reach the required standard for each category (e.g length of training, delivered mid-week/week-end training, etc)
2) What level of driver training is available to Special Constables? Please break this down where applicable into the specific categories (e.g A2B car, response car, advanced car, motorbike, van, etc)
Please provide information of the minimum requirements for a Special Constable to undertake this training (e.g length of service, rank, role, etc and if so, what).
Please provide information of the delivery of the training to reach the required standard for each category (e.g length of training, delivered mid-week/week-end training, etc) and if alternate training schedules or reasonable adjustments are made based on Specials being volunteers with limited availability.
For Special Constables only – Please state whom covers the insurance and legal aid for driving incidents such as a Police Vehicle Accident (e.g Force Insurance, Federation Insurance, Special Constabulary Insurance, etc) and what the value of this insurance fund is.
Reply:-
1) 1) What level of driver training is available to Regular Police Constables? Please break this down where applicable into the specific categories (e.g A2B car, response car, advanced car, motorbike, van, etc)
On appointment to the Force all staff, either Full time, or staff, or regular or Special Constables are given a basic authority to drive our vehicles from A to B as long as they have the category pass on their DVLA issued license.
Please provide information of the minimum requirements for a Regular Police Constable to undertake this training (e.g length of service, rank, role, etc and if so, what).
A Regular Constable will be eligible for a Standard response course from 12 months service, dependant on recommendation and support of line managers.
Please provide information of the delivery of the training to reach the required standard for each category (e.g length of training, delivered mid-week/week-end training, etc)
A Standard response course, which is a College of Policing Course, is a 3 week course, and includes emergency response driving in vehicles including Small vans, standard cars, (ie not high powered) and 4x4 vehicles. This is the course that all response officers will be given as it is a requirement of the role.
If a Constable applies for a position on the Roads Policing team, or as an Armed officer, or perhaps on a specialist unit (SOCU,ROCU) their role may require them to become Advanced Drivers, as such they will be trained on a College course. This is a 4 week course using higher powered vehicles. At the end of the four weeks and if successful, the applicant will then be trained to initial Phase pursuit, which is a 1 week course on tactics used prior to the Tactical pursuit phase of pursuit resolution.
There is no limit or time schedule for when an officer can receive this training, ie no minimum length of service after 12 months, no ranks specifics, it is dependent on the requirements of the Force and the recommendation of the department involved requiring the training.
D1 Van Driving is trained by Driver training (PSU Bus or minibus) again recommended by managers , and a requirement of the Force to meet PSU quotas. This is examined externally and dependant on officers having a D1 category on their license.
Refresher training in all of the skills trained by Driver training is carried out midweek by Driver training staff and in line with College of Policing Guidelines.
2) What level of driver training is available to Special Constables? Please break this down where applicable into the specific categories (e.g A2B car, response car, advanced car, motorbike, van, etc)
Covered above
Please provide information of the minimum requirements for a Special Constable to undertake this training (e.g length of service, rank, role, etc and if so, what).
Basic level in Car / Patrol Van / Personnel carrier (1/2 day course)
Basic compliant stopping. (1/2 day course)
Standard Response in Car / Small Van / Large Van (1 day)
There are other courses that Driver Training deliver to Specials such as Hostyds (stinger) and Strategic Roads Network (fast roads) (both 1 day courses)
Please provide information of the delivery of the training to reach the required standard for each category (e.g length of training, delivered mid-week/week-end training, etc) and if alternate training schedules or reasonable adjustments are made based on Specials being volunteers with limited availability.
Covered above
For Special Constables only – Please state whom covers the insurance and legal aid for driving incidents such as a Police Vehicle Accident (e.g Force Insurance, Federation Insurance, Special Constabulary Insurance, etc) and what the value of this insurance fund is.
Insurance is provided under the motor cover policy, via AON.