§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many trainee Metropolitan Police officers have had their 18 weeks' training extended to allow them to repeat written and practical assessments in each year since 1997; how much this has cost; and if he will make a statement. [58559]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Commissioner of Police the Metropolis Police has provided the information in the following table:
Year ended Number of officers who have had their training extended Representing percentage of overall number of officers trained 31 December 1997 1— n/a 31 December 1998 33 2.6 31 December 1999 39 3.2 31 December 2000 76 7 31 December 2001 310 14 1 Figures not available There are two reasons for the increase in the number of officers who have had their training extended in the years 849W ending December 2000 and 2001. There has been a significant increase in the numbers of new recruits to the Metropolitan Police Service, and the training school now places more emphasis on helping those officers who do not achieve the required standard within 18 weeks to achieve the appropriate level of competence by extending the basic training period. This is more efficient and cost effective than the previous approach, where it was more generally the case that the force would dispense with the services of officers failing to meet the required standard by the end of the 18-week foundation training course.
The costs are not available.