13 replies to this topic

[oxon88]

Just wondered if anyone knows if response training as a special is possible in TVP under any circumstance?

I see other forces which allow specials to be trained in response driving and was wondering why TVP does not allow it.

I can't understand why an indipendant special could not be trained in response driving, unless its a cost saving exercise. But even then, could there not be an option to self fund the training?

[AK47]

I don't know unfortunately, however, if you don't seem to be getting an answer from anyone, the best way is to form relationships with the people who run the training courses! They will be able to tell you who needs the money, how much etc. You could then approach your borough with a business case or even seek charitable funding which I know other boroughs have done!

[WW86]

No, Specials are not trained to Response level; the most they are trained to is Standard - non response ticket which allows the use of blues only at the scene of an incident and when pulling over a vehicle.

Everything you need to know about driving in TVP can be found on the force intranet under the SOP A-Z.

Edited by WW86, 16 May 2012 - 08:18 PM.

[JLP]

Response driver training is not available for Specials in TVP under any circumstances at present.
This is partially down to the large cost of the training and also due to the lack of space of the training courses, as there is a backlog for regular officers (so self funding wouldn't be accepted)

[oxon88]

Warwickshire police force has suddenly become a lot more appealing!

[SNOOZINGPHIL]

Possibly next time it will be discussed will be 2014 as at the rate we are going we will have potentially over 1000 specials

[SC James]

Don't get too hung up on "response" driving. As an independent Special with a driving ticket, albeit a basic one, you are still a HUGELY vaulable resource

[Straightjacket]

You'd be suprised at how you can still be used. I can remember in Hants when the only vehicles (other than traffic) allowed to respond were area cars, there were usually only one or two area car drivers per shift, lucky as there was only one area car per station maybe two if lucky. If either of the 2, yes 2!! people on duty on nights were not area car drivers we had to make use of a panda and these had lights but no sirens with an area of approx 100sq miles it was interesting.

[Chris 1994]

Oxon88 - i know of a few SC's that have recently transferred from Warks to TVP as they are only deployed in key areas and often on foot, so whilst we don't do response driving it appears that there are better deployment opportunities with TVP at the moment.

Cost is not the issue, it is mainly one about capacity, the Force understandably wants to train its regualrs first and with refresher courses etc driving school do struggle to keep up with demands.If SC's were to do courses then it would be at the expense of a regualr officer. The SC SMT revisit the question on a regualr basis and at least annually and to be honest you often get to incidents (within restrictions) before the regualrs on B&T who have to contend with the public doing very odd things as they react (or not) to the lights and sirens

[teper61]

As eluded to in previous posts, regulars are the priority although the money for the training is an issue.
The other issue is how often will specials trained in reponse use it, and can they keep their 'hand' in........ this was the major issue last time this was discussed.
The other thing discussed was the length of the course. I seem to recall that for regs its a 3 week (so 15 day) course. We argued that it should be down to the individual officer to decide whether they can set aside 3 weeks to do the course.
There was talk of the course being held over a series of weekends, but not sure how far that got.
There are some long serving Specials who do have response training, but they managed to get that done years ago and many will have left or will shortly be leaving/retiring.

[Adamski]

Sorry to necro-post, but the ever alive rumour mill is suggesting that response training for specials is to be considered next year. Has anyone else heard similar?

[Chris 1994]

Sorry to necro-post, but the ever alive rumour mill is suggesting that response training for specials is to be considered next year. Has anyone else heard similar?

 

It's an issue that pops up on an annual basis and for a wide variety of reasons either gets put in the too difficult pile or reasons not to take it forward I would (if I was a betting man) put money on it being just a rumour. I found that during my service never to give rumours any weight until I saw something official in writing. That way you can't be disapointed. In all seriousness, response driving comes with some heavy responsibility, you just have to look at the press with officers getting criminal convictions for dangerous / careless driving whilst responding, it is a heavy training commitment (3 weeks as a minimum) and realisticially individuals will have to ask themselves will they have enough exposure to driving at that standard to maintain their level?

 

It is plausable that where ex-regulars rejoin as SC's there may be a case to argue that if they were response trained why waste the investment and allow them to continue but again with the greater scrutiny I can see more emphasis on maintaining accreditation which woudl impact on SC's 

[Blackduke77]

Sorry to necro-post, but the ever alive rumour mill is suggesting that response training for specials is to be considered next year. Has anyone else heard similar?

 

I have heard it is beeing looked at as well!

Edited by Blackduke77, 14 February 2013 - 12:19 AM.

[Andy_M]

 In all seriousness, response driving comes with some heavy responsibility

 

Agreed.