HC Deb 13 December 1996 vol 287 c401W
Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training in suicide awareness police officers receive in England and Wales. [8684]

Mr. Maclean

It is for individual chief officers to determine the extent to which their officers are trained to carry out their duties. The foundation course for probationer constables seeks to establish a general awareness and understanding of the mental and physical condition of people they encounter. The possibility of people in custody committing suicide is dealt with in greater depth in the custody officer training package which is available to all forces.