§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is given to armed police to deal with firearms situations involving suspects suffering from mental illness. [16686]
§ Mr. DenhamThe basic training that all new recruits receive includes an element that raises awareness of mental illness and highlights the importance of communicating effectively and sensitively with people suffering from a mental disorder. Individual forces also provide further training for their officers on these issues. Details are not held centrally of all such local provision.
The Association of Chief Police Officers Manual of Guidance on police use of firearms recognises that people suffering from mental illness may not realise the seriousness of the situation they are in or respond `normally' to conventional negotiating strategies. The guidance stresses the importance of police negotiators, armed officers and Firearms Incident Commanders having an understanding of people who suffer from mental illness and suggests some actions which may reduce the risk of firearms use. It also stresses that a person's impairment does not reduce the potential harm they may inflict if the incident is not resolved, and that it is the role of the police to deal with the threat irrespective of motive.
It is important that the Government should continue to explore with the police all possible options for ensuring that officers are able to deal with such incidents effectively and in a way that protects the public and police officers.
In conjunction with the Association of Chief Police Officers and Northern Ireland Office, we are currently reviewing, as a matter of priority, the range of 'less lethal' alternatives to firearms. As one would expect, all have differing levels of risk and effectiveness associated with them, and any advantages of such alternatives have to be properly and fully assessed against any disadvantages.
In addition, under section 79(1) of the Police Act 1996, I have asked the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) to report on the lessons to be learned from investigations supervised by them since January 1998 into incidents in which police shootings occurred and which resulted in death or injury. The PCA have begun work on this review, and I have asked them to report within six months. The report will be laid before Parliament and published.