Training is Not an Optional Extra
| Date | 01 January 2000 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X0007300110 |
| Published date | 01 January 2000 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
ELSBETH REA
Member
of
the Police Authority for Northern Ireland;
independent consultant
and
trainer in social work
and
social
care; former trainer with NI Probation Service
ROBERT MOORE
Member
of
the NI Independent Commission for Police
Complaints; independent consultant
and
trainer; former Director
of
Social Services, Eastern Health
and
Social Services Board
TRAINING IS NOT AN
OPTIONAL EXTRA
In its evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, Ithe Association of
Police Authorities said it was fully convinced of the importance of
adequate and properly directed training, of the need to ensure that the
right training is delivered effectively and is properly targeted. Training,
most would agree, is a good thing.
It
does not follow, necessarily, that
an organization's response is coherent and sustained. The authors would
argue strongly that there must be a strategic rather than piece-meal, ad
hoc approach to training.
Every once in a while, the training of police officers becomes
topical and attracts media and public attention. The study on training,
commissioned in 1996 by the Police Federation of England and Wales,
is a case in point.
It
led to the headline in the Independent on Sunday -
"Police training fails, says report'? - and the article which followed did
scant justice to a critical but well-balanced and constructive study which
had important things to say about how training might be improved.
According to Police magazine,' the study recommended modifications
to probationary training, emphasizing that the status of probationary
officers, and their consequent need for support during and immediately
after training, required to be properly recognized. Whilst the importance
of appraisal during the probationary phase, and at other stages during an
officer's career, was held to be self-evident, the study found that, for the
most part, the procedures were ineffective and not used to target
individuals for professional development.
It
also suggested that
strategies needed to be established to ensure the accessibility of training
so that officers were continuously given opportunities to update their
knowledge of innovative operational procedures and their
understanding of new legislation. Difficulties at local levels in
achieving the implementation of national training priorities were
acknowledged.
The Federation report is not alone in putting pressure on police
authorities and their chief constables to improve training. Others, from
the Home Secretary down, have also identified training needs - the
January 2000 The Police Journal 69
To continue reading
Request your trial