Police officer : Training

All new police officers in England and Wales undertake an extensive and professional training programme known as the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP) during their first two years of service. Individual forces are responsible for the local implementation and delivery of IPLDP and the emphasis is upon local community involvement and a flexible timetable. IPLDP is divided into four training phases which cover the completion of the NVQ in Policing (levels 3 and 4):

• phase 1 - Induction (two - five weeks): general introduction to the organisation with training in first aid, health and safety, officer safety, ICT, race and diversity, human rights and community safety strategy;
• phase 2 - Community (two - four weeks): training in crime and disorder reduction and a community placement;
• phase 3 - Basic Police Skills (week seven for 28 weeks): work-place practice supported by class-based learning, learning in a 'replicated work environment' and work-based learning under supervised patrol;
• phase 4 - Independent Patrol (weeks 35 to 104): combines operational duties with independent and distance learning.

Continuing professional development (CPD) and ongoing training are important. Annual performance and development reviews (PDRs) assess and monitor the progress of police officers to ensure that their professional skills are kept up to date and that they are abreast of the demands of a constantly changing work environment.

In Scotland, probationer constables undertake 22 weeks’ training at Tulliallan Police College interspersed with 81 weeks’ divisional-based training followed by a Scottish Police Diploma which takes a further 18 months.

In Northern Ireland, the two-year probation includes an initial period of twenty weeks at Garnerville College, ten weeks with a tutor constable, ten weeks’ training in driving, public order and the use of firearms and continual assessment including physical competency tests.