Training material police officers receive in dealing with civil disputes

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.027329

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. What training material do your police officers receive in respect of dealing with incidents deemed to be Civil Disputes?

2. What actions are your police officers instructed to take when resolving an incident, deemed to be a Civil Dispute, when the opposing parties are unknown to each other and the aggrieved party is advised to pursue Civil Remedies e.g. when attending a call whereby a customer refuses to pay for goods or services on the grounds of dissatisfaction or an uninsured pedal cyclist is accused of damaging a motor vehicle on a road or a member of the public accuses a person who is unknown to them of slander/libel?

Decision

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

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - What training material do your police officers receive in respect of dealing with incidents deemed to be Civil Disputes?

The new recruits on the Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF) pathways cover civil dispute as part of the Attending Non-Crime incidents inputs (PU0037ppv02):

PU0037ppv02 - Attending Non-Crime incidents

Session Aims:
The session will develop the student police officers approach when dealing with non-crime incidents as an investigator.

Learning Outcomes:
1. Identify first actions at non-crime incidents and civil disputes.
2. Identify and differentiate between a major incident and a Critical Incident.
3. Apply the Vulnerability Framework and recording requirements for non-crime incidents and civil disputes.

Civil Disputes:
The main functions of the police at a civil dispute:
• Prevent a breach of peace, disturbance, fights or arguing.
• Investigate and pacify those involved.
• Report matter in detail.

Actions to carry out when called to a civil dispute:
• Calm the situation.
• Listen to all parties.
• Act impartially towards all parties.
• Investigate and ensure that no actual offences are apparent.
• Advise each person of the action they could take.
• Do not express personal opinion.
• Do not make any promises to resolve the matter yourself.
• Record all details.

Q2 - What actions are your police officers instructed to take when resolving an incident, deemed to be a Civil Dispute, when the opposing parties are unknown to each other and the aggrieved party is advised to pursue Civil Remedies e.g. when attending a call whereby a customer refuses to pay for goods or services on the grounds of dissatisfaction or an uninsured pedal cyclist is accused of damaging a motor vehicle on a road or a member of the public accuses a person who is unknown to them of slander/libel?

The police will not be involved with civil disputes, we attend to prevent a breach of the peace, if someone is in immediate danger, if a crime is reported and/or to make sure nothing criminal has happened. We will put individuals in touch with groups and organisations who can help.