Extract of CO11 Policy on Officer Safety
Training
GENERAL
All officers up to and including the rank of
Chief Inspector (Uniform and CID) and all operational members
of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary will receive a minimum
of two days (12 hours) officer safety training each year. There
are no general exemptions to this policy. It is suggested good
practice that this training be divided into one day (six hours)
each half year. Officers above the rank of chief inspector are
encouraged to take part in this training.
Where an officer is not currently officer safety
trained the question of whether they should be employed in an
operational role and be allowed to retain items of officer safety
equipment must be considered. Any decision in this respect will
take into account the date the officer last received training
in the context of the nature of the risks inherent in any particular
operation and the likely date of their refresher training.
Officers who transfer to the MPS from other
forces are issued with all the necessary officer safety equipment,
but at the same time, are given a written notice that they cannot
carry this operationally until authorised by an OCU trainer. They
may have received officer safety training in their previous force
but, experience has shown that the quantity and quality of such
training is likely to vary enormously. For this reason, such officers
should be check tested by an MPS OCU Officer Safety Trainer before
they are permitted to carry officer safety equipment operationally.
Any training need must be met locally and the OCU trainer should
certify competence on a written record which is to be placed on
the individuals personal file. The officer will then be required
to undertake refresher training in line with MPS policy.
Advice regarding the interpretation and implementation
of these policies can be sought from the Officer Safety Unit in
CO11.
DELIVERY OF
TRAINING TO
OCU PERSONNEL
Officer safety training will only be delivered
by a currently authorised OCU officer safety trainer. A list of
these officers is maintained by CO11 (Officer Safety Unit) which
is responsible for their training and development. The correct
trainer/student ratio is dependant upon a number of factors. These
include student and trainer experience, the activity, and the
amount of space or the environment available. However for the
physical aspects of the training the recommended level of OCU
trainers to staff is 1:8. During FIST suit and CS general exposure
training at least two trainers must be present at all times.
Training is no longer modular (ie a specified
number of hours handcuffs and a specified number of hours batons
etc.) but will cover all aspects of officer safety. This will
include tactics, equipment, good practice, policy, legislation
and medical implications. During training sessions the competence
of each officer to use the defensive equipment and techniques
specified during the trainers development course, will be checked
and certified on the appropriate forms by the OCU trainer. The
trainer will then move on to deliver new information and/or reinforce
previous material.
To ensure corporacy, at each training session
OCU trainers will deliver a prescribed syllabus. All necessary
training material will be provided by CO11 during trainer development
courses. The training should be delivered to OCU staff during
the six month period following the trainers development training;
as set out below:
| Development Course—Trainers
| Syllabus delivered to OCU staff |
| March—June (Stage 1) - 12 hours | July—December (6 hours)
|
| August—December (Stage 2) - 12 hours |
January—June (6 hours) |
OCU commanders are encouraged to allow their trainers a reasonable
amount of time to prepare for the training sessions. Good preparation
will be rewarded with the increased effectiveness of the training.
FAILURE OF
OFFICERS TO
ATTEND TRAINING
Failure to attend and participate in all aspects of the training,
without authority or a reasonable excuse may amount to a discipline
offence and a breach of the individual's legal obligation under
health and safety law. Such failure must be brought to the attention
of the OCU commander for action to be taken.
FAILURE TO
REACH AN
ACCEPTABLE STANDARD
Officers who fail to reach the required standard should be
given as much support as is practicable to ensure that they reach
this standard. CO11 will be available to advise on this issue.
OFFICERS WHO
ARE MEDICALLY
UNFIT TO
TRAIN
An officer who is medically unfit to take part in officer
safety training should be dealt with in accordance with procedures
applicable to unfitness for duty. The advice and support of the
Occupational Health Department should be obtained where necessary.
TRAINING OF
OCU TRAINERS
All OCU officer safety trainers are required to complete
a three week Foundation Course. This course is designed to enhance
general training skills and equip the officer with sufficient
knowledge to enable them to deliver officer safety training to
OCU staff. Courses are allocated by HR through area training co-ordinators.
CO11 can advise OCUs as to what selection criteria should be applied
to officers seeking nomination for a course but, with the change
in focus from pure physical training to facilitation, and discussion,
it is strongly recommended that officers nominated by their OCUs
should have attended an Occasional Trainers Course. Nominees will
be required to show evidence that they have passed a fitness test
to at least recruit entry level within the previous 12 months.
This course is based upon a pass/fail qualification. Details
of course content and application criteria are available from
Area Training Co-ordinators.
Once qualified, each trainer will be required to attend two,
two day development training sessions each year during which their
competence will be tested and certified. The training will be
delivered by CO11 and, in addition to the skills test, will consist
of material from an approved syllabus.
Officers who fail to reach the required standard will be
given as much support as possible by CO11 to achieve the standard.
Trainers who fail to attend development training will have their
qualification withdrawn. OCU commanders will be notified in these
circumstances.
RECORDS
Recent experience has highlighted the importance of maintaining
accurate records of training given and equipment issued. OCU Personnel
Managers will be responsible for ensuring that up to date training
records are maintained.
MONITORING
Commanders (Operations) are ultimately responsible for the
monitoring of officer safety training delivered on their Area.
The monitoring of both quantity and quality is an important
element of the officer safety training. It has been recognised
that such training has an effect on the policing style not only
of the local area, but the MPS as a whole. It is essential that
a proper monitoring system is in place to ensure that ALL officers
receive the minimum level of 12 hours training during a 12 month
period.
The monitoring of quality will be carried out as follows:
— OCUs will be responsible for informing CO11 of
officer safety training dates and which trainers will be present.
— CO11 Officer Safety Unit will then aim to arrange
for each OCU trainer to be monitored by their staff on at least
one occasion per year.
— The purpose of the visit is to ensure that the
correct training is being delivered in the proper manner, and
to give advice and support where necessary.
At the conclusion of the visit the OCU commander and, if
requested, the trainer will receive a copy of the monitoring report.
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