Police Training

[Vikeonabike]

Yet another story condemning the Police for training Officers and PCSO's to ride bikes.
After the stupidity of the SUN criticising the production of a training handbook to be given to Police Training Staff to train staff to use their bikes safely and effectively. Followed by ACPO's spineless backing down in the production of the booklet which could have led to a National Standard for Police Cyclists. Now the press in Northants are condemning their force for introducing it.
I've given up trying to get my force to introduce cycle training...it would have cost around £50 to train each officer. Last year I had three weeks off work because of cycling accident caused during a prsuit. Had I been taught a fast dismount I wouldn't have tried to grab the bloke whislt still in on my bike.
Now I'm just going to sue thier sorry asses next time I come to grief becuase of an incident caused by lack of training...
Bobbies not on their bikes
Rant over

 

[PBancroft]

Saw that on the BBC website. My first thought then was that I bet the same people complaining about the training would be the same people complaining if/when someone got hurt because of the lack of training.

Especially the councillor. He really should know better.

 

[John the Monkey]

The quote from the councillor was asinine, I thought.

"I've not ridden a bike in years, but I'm pretty sure I could get on one and not be a total disaster."

I expect a slightly higher standard than that from a uniformed officer in pursuance of their duty, and I think the rest of the public are entitled to do so. Who elects these oafs?

 

[Jezston]

"I've not ridden a bike in years, but I'm pretty sure I could get on one and not be a total disaster."

Tell that to Petronella Wyatt.

 

[Origamist]

I imagine riding a police bike requires a different (but also complementary) skill set to standard cycle training. It seems wrong-headed to deny cycling coppers the opportunity to hone their bike handling skills, self- defence techinques, rapid dismouts etc

 

[2Loose]

They (the press and the councillors) don't get it do they.

Sure, they could ride a bike, but safely on the roads? Safely while in pursuit or responding to a call? Ignorant gits.

 

[chillyuk]

Pity they don't train the Essex PCSO's.

Saw two male PCSO's recently riding in a cycling prohibited pedestrianised area of the town centre, and carrying their helmets on their handlebars. Then they stopped at a cafe (they are entitled to a break) and left both bikes outside, unlocked. I was so tempted to nick one just for the hell of it.

Then another PCSO, a female this time, often comes down my road. She is a little, well rounded lady, and you can see her really stretching to reach the handlebars, and the whole bike is far to big for her. She also seems to ride most of the time with her helmet undone. She is also often to be seen riding in no cycling areas. I have also noticed that the bike has no reflectors.

These are the same people who Essex police told us would be "offering advice" to cyclists they meet breaking the rules. Notwithstanding that, it is good to see some police presence, even if they are not proper coppers.

 

[bauldbairn]

I bet the same people complaining about the training would be the same people complaining if/when someone got hurt because of the lack of training.

+1

I expect a slightly higher standard than that from a uniformed officer in pursuance of their duty, and I think the rest of the public are entitled to do so. Who elects these oafs?

+1

I imagine riding a police bike requires a different (but also complementary) skill set to standard cycle training. It seems wrong-headed to deny cycling coppers the opportunity to hone their bike handling skills, self- defence techinques, rapid dismouts etc

+1

Yeah! Catch 22 for the Police, their damned if they do and their damned if they don't.

The Police need stronger leaders to say "that's what I've decided to do to make sure my officers are safely/properly trained" end of story. Like Vike says they're(the Police) leaving themselves open to all sorts of claims(rightly) from unsuitably trained officers.
I also believe if one is fatally injured(in an RTA) whilst not properly trained - there could be more serious charges(something like corporate manslaughter) brought against their leaders/supervisors/line managers.

 

[marinyork]

I think the original criticism was absolutely justified from taxpayers' point of view. The new stuff is just silly though, I don't begrudge them their 10 hours of training.

 

[mcshroom]

Just for comparison, how much driver traing does an average policeman get?

 

[mcshroom]

Answering my own posts. Sad I know ... anyway

According to this document I found on the Suffolk Police site, basic training (for non operational driving of a police vehicles only) is 2 days, standard training 3 weeks and advanced training (pursuit etc) 4 weeks. Compared to that assuming that the bike training includes off road and pursuit the training is significantly cheepear and quicker.

Don't remember anyone complaining about the driver training though.

 

[StuartG]

Not to mention that any police driver with a licence has almost certainly had professional training and certainly been tested as a competent before they start.

Oh that we could assume that same level of pre-existing cycle training and testing ... I guess I'm more experienced than most PCSO recruits (oh and that councillor) and I would certainly appreciate the extra training. Nutter!

 

[John the Monkey]

Don't remember anyone complaining about the driver training though.

give 'em time.

Next up: Why train in the use of the baton? Anyone can hit someone with a stick (etc)

 

[andyfromotley]

Yet another story condemning the Police for training Officers and PCSO's to ride bikes.
After the stupidity of the SUN criticising the production of a training handbook to be given to Police Training Staff to train staff to use their bikes safely and effectively. Followed by ACPO's spineless backing down in the production of the booklet which could have led to a National Standard for Police Cyclists. Now the press in Northants are condemning their force for introducing it.
I've given up trying to get my force to introduce cycle training...it would have cost around £50 to train each officer. Last year I had three weeks off work because of cycling accident caused during a prsuit. Had I been taught a fast dismount I wouldn't have tried to grab the bloke whislt still in on my bike.
Now I'm just going to sue thier sorry asses next time I come to grief becuase of an incident caused by lack of training...
Bobbies not on their bikes
Rant over

 

[HJ]

Here is something I have not seen before


I didn't know they existed!