253.Police training in England and Wales has been the subject of an unprecedented level of scrutiny recently. A number of reports have made recommendations about the way police training is organised.
254.These include two reports by the Police Federation “Project Forward (May 1998) and “Police Training – What Next?” (July 1999), the recommendations of the report of the enquiry into the death of Stephen Lawrence (February 1999), the first ever thematic inspection of training by HMIC (April 1999), a report by the Home Affairs Committee (June 1999), and a report from Sir William Stubbs (July 1999) on the organisation and the funding of police training.
255.In November 1999 the Government published a consultation document on police training. It outlined a range of proposals to raise standards in police training and ensure relevant training for staff throughout their career. The Government received 80 responses to the paper. These represented the broad range of interests in this field including all the key national organisations such as the staff associations, the Association of Police Authorities (APA) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), 7 police authorities, and 24 individual forces, as well as other organisations and individuals with a relevant interest.
256.Virtually all those who responded welcomed the fact that training, which was seen as key to what the police service does and can achieve, was being examined and debated. The majority of responses broadly welcomed the proposals.
257.In May 2000 the Government published “Police Training: The Way Forward” (This was published by Home Office Communication Directorate and is available on the Home Office website at http://www.home.office.gov.uk.). This outlined its intentions in light of the comments received during the consultation period, and in the light of a cost-benefit analysis conducted to examine the cost and efficiency savings that could be made through more effective collaboration between forces. “Police Training: The Way Forward” forms the basis for the measures in Part 4 of this Act. Key stakeholders were consulted about the sections in draft.
258.Part 4 creates a new Central Police Training and Development Authority as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). The Authority will build on the services currently provided by National Police Training, which was established by the Home Office in 1993 with a remit to design, deliver and accredit training programmes for core policing operations. As an NDPB, the new Authority will have greater independence from the Home Office. The Act allows the Secretary of State, in consultation with stakeholders, to establish a mandatory core curriculum and a qualifications framework for police. It also strengthens the powers of the Secretary of State to require improvements in the quality of police training following and inspection undertaken by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).
259.There are a number of other measures to improve police training which do not require primary legislation, on which work on implementation has already begun. A new HMIC inspector of training was appointed in the Summer 2000. Other proposed measures are set out below.
A re-organised Police Training Council to provide the Home Secretary with strategic advice on training.
An employer led Police National Training Organisation to promote skills and competencies within the sector.
A national review team, managed by the APA and the ACPO, to identify opportunities to promote collaboration at a national, regional and local level.
Improved use of information and communication technology and distance learning.
Greater community involvement and co-operation in police training.
The implementation of annual human resource plans for forces by Statutory Guidance to be issued under Best Value legislation.
260.Establish the Central Police Training and Development Authority as an NDPB and set out its functions and operational requirements. They give effect to Schedule 3 which contains detailed provisions about the Authority. They also set out the powers of the Secretary of State in relation to the Authority. These cover the power to set objectives (section 89), to set performance targets (section 91) and to require an inspection by HMIC and make directions as a result (section 93).
261.Creates the Central Police Training and Development Authority as a corporate body.
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