FOI 0658-2024/25- Special Constables Training

Request:

Please could you provide me with information regarding the initial training undertaken by Special Constables who join your organisation.

Q1. Number of days training to be completed

Q2. Detail of training i.e Law, Legislation, Roleplays. Is this completed by your training school or in house by the Special Constabulary?

Q3. If any professional development plan or similar is issued to new Special Constables during initial training.

Q4. After training is completed, how are Special Constables assessed and monitored?

Q5. Are Special Constables posted to a specific strand i.e Local Policing, Response etc or do they complete a carousel program?

Q6. A general overview of your organisations processes for Special Constables from day one initial training to be confirmed in rank.

Response:

Extent and Result of Searches to Locate Information

To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted within North Yorkshire Police. I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by North Yorkshire Police.  

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you.

Q1. Training is 26 weeks in length which incorporates 39 days over that period; one day in the classroom per week plus a home study day (apart from the three blocks of 3 days for personal safety training).

Q2. Blended learning with legislative learning via the Open University VLE (virtual learning environment) as well as classroom learning delivered by Learning & Development trainers. Practical role plays and assessments are included in the classroom training in order to develop application of the legislation etc.

Q3. If a student officer fails any summative element of assessment during the initial training phase, then a professional support plan would be issued with the student having the option of a further assessment. If they fail the second attempt then they would be offered a re-course.

Q4. Via tutorship and via Open University learning modules/knowledge checks. There is also an Occupational Competency Portfolio that is required to be completed before the student officer can work independently.

Q5. Usually posted to response policing teams unless there is a specific need or desire to specialise which would then be considered on a bespoke individual basis.

Q6. Welcome/introduction weekend, training within the classroom environment once a week with a further day set aside for online learning each week. Personal Safety Training (PST) is now in blocks of 3 days over a weekend and are delivered over 3 separate weekends.

Once the final assessments/knowledge checks are completed, then the student officers are attested formally by the Specials Chief Officer and a Magistrate whereby they can work alongside a “tutor” officer operationally and complete their Occupational Competency Portfolio as well as their online learning within a two year period, after which they would be confirmed in rank.

Please note that systems used for recording information are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the data.  It should be noted therefore that this force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other responses you may receive.