§ Lord Tebbitasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there has been any change in the extent of "back classing" of police recruits undertaking the 18-week initial training course at Hendon. [HL730]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has told me that back-classing, or re-coursing, of students has always been an option available to trainers during the Foundation Training Course and will continue to be used.
It is normally considered in the case of officers who suffer illness, injury or a welfare problem (such as illness in the family) who may have missed parts of the course or have found it difficult to keep up with their colleagues. Re-coursing may also be an appropriate option for recruits who have demonstrated the potential to become competent officers but who need to spend longer addressing certain areas of skill or knowledge.
I understand that between 3 per cent and 6 per cent of recruits are re-coursed each year for the reasons given above.