§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much specialised training in man days was provided to Metropolitan Police officers of each rank in respect of(a) murder inquiries and (b) racial incidents in the last year for which figures are available. [50664]
§ Mr. MichaelTraining in the Metropolitan Police Service is an operational matter for the Commissioner. The Commissioner tells me that the Metropolitan Police Service does provide training to officers in respect of murder inquiries. This training is provided at a number of levels and through different courses. The most significant of these is the Management of Serious Crimes Course and the Detective Constables Course (the latter was introduced on 31 March 1998).
The total number of officers on these courses between 1 July 1997 and 30 June 1998 were:
- Constables: 108
- Sergeants: 15
- Inspectors: 81
- Chief Inspectors: 11.
Elements of Community and Race Relations and Equal Opportunities Training are included in the majority of all training delivered to officers at all levels.
The Commissioner has recently appointed Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Grieve to head the next phase of reform of police racial awareness training and police investigation of racial and violent crime.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the projected change in funding per Metropolitan Police officer consequent on the proposed boundary changes if current arrangements for central Government funding and precepting remain unchanged; [50662]
(2) what will be (a) the percentage change in the number of Metropolitan Police officers and (b) the percentage change in the financial contribution of precepting authorities under the proposed redrawing of Metropolitan Police boundaries. [50663]
§ Mr. MichaelThe proposed changes to the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police will lead to some re-distribution of existing resources, including police officers, but it is too early to give precise estimates.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the projected change in the number of Metropolitan Police officers in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2005 on present trends of recruitment and wastage. [50660]
§ Mr. MichaelIt is for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to determine what number of officers will be required to police the capital.
In making this assessment, the Commissioner will consider all the demands on the finances available to him in order to provide an efficient and effective service, while ensuring best value is achieved.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government propose to assist the Metropolitan Police in its recruitment. [50659]
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§ Mr. MichaelIt is a matter for the Commissioner to determine what proportion of the funding of the Metropolitan Police Service is used in the recruitment of its officers.
The Commissioner informs me that, in common with other employers in the South East, the police are having to work hard to attract suitable staff, but that two national recruitment campaigns are being run this year.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the quarterly totals for the last three years of the number of(a) officers leaving the Metropolitan Police service or retiring, (b) people applying to join the Metropolitan Police and (c) people accepted as recruits into the Metropolitan Police. [50661]
§ Mr. MichaelThe Commissioner has provided the following information:
(a) Officers leaving the Metropolitan Police service or retiring Year First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Total 1995–96 286 344 334 331 1,295 1996–97 333 338 392 365 1,428 1997–98 388 368 395 436 1,587
(b) Those applying to join the Metropolitan Police: Year Number 1995–96 7,208 1996–97 3,941 1997–98 4,633
(c) Those accepted as recruits into the Metropolitan Police: Year Number 1995–96 1,208 I996–97 692 1997–98 1,185 The Commissioner tells me that, as applications and subsequent acceptances may take place in different quarters, a breakdown by quarters is not possible.