§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hours the course at Tulliallan police college lasts for (a) new recruits, (b) refresher courses for officers up to the rank of sergeant and (c) refresher courses for officers; and how many hours on each course are specifically allocated to the workings of and the implementation of the Matrimonial Homes (Family Violence) Act 1981.
§ Mr. LangThe training programme at the Scottish police college is based on the recommendations of a working party of the Police Advisory Board for Scotland which reported in 1983. The programme is kept under regular review and adjustments are made as necessary to meet changing demands. Courses are provided for:—
- Probationer constables (Basic and Advanced courses—both eight weeks)
- Sergeants (two weeks)
- Selected Sergeants (eight weeks)
- Newly Promoted Inspectors (five weeks)
- Superintendents (six weeks)
- Detective Training
- Traffic Training
At present probationer constables receive two periods devoted to the Matrimonial Homes (Family Violence) Act 1981 and domestic violence generally. The selected sergeants' course has three periods on violence against women and two periods on the role of the female and child unit which is operated by Strathclyde police. The newly promoted inspectors' course has two periods on the 1981 Act, and the detective courses have three periods on crime 635W against women. In all cases, each period lasts for 50 minutes. In addition, the safety of women features in other aspects of the training.