§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the training given to(a) special constables and (b) regular police officers upon joining, after two years in post and thereafter.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe training of special constables is a matter for individual chief officers but usually takes place either at weekends or as part of a series of evening training sessions. Initial induction is followed by a basic training programme and development courses as appropriate.
All regular police officers go through a 31-week foundation course immediately they join, partly in force and partly at one of the district training centres. During their two-year probationary period, they spend a further six weeks following centrally produced training programmes, in addition to any further specialist or general training which their forces may provide locally.
On promotion to sergeant, officers attend a six-week sergeants development course, run by groups of forces on a regional basis. A further regionally run inspectors management development course follows promotion to 555W inspector. Some specialist training—such as detective training, advance driving courses and dog training—is also organised on a regional basis.
A comprehensive programme of development related to the roles and responsibilities of more senior officers is provided by the Police Staff college, Bramshill. In addition to this leadership programme, the college offers a range of short courses and also runs an accelerated promotion course for officers of high potential.
Other establishments which provide national training facilities are the Crime Prevention Centre and the specialist support unit for community and race relations.
In addition to the training mentioned above, individual forces provide their own training either directly or through external courses.