Stats and training criteria for standard driver, initial pursuit and advanced driving

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.031218

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. How many Special Constables currently within your force are standard driver trained?
2. What are the criteria for a Special Constable within your force to be offered standard driver training?
3. How many Special Constables currently within your force are initial pursuit trained?
4. What are the criteria for a Special Constable within your force to be offered initial pursuit training?
5. How many Special Constables currently within your force are Advanced Driver Trained?
6. What departments do Advanced Driver Trained Specials operate within your force?
7. What are the criteria for a Special Constable within your force to be offered Advanced Driver Training?
8. What are the criteria for a Special Constable within your force to retain their Advanced Driver skill?

Decision

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

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - How many Special Constables currently within your force are standard driver trained?

There are 32 Special Constables currently that are Response – Non Pursuit drivers.

Q2 - What are the criteria for a Special Constable within your force to be offered standard driver training?

It will be up for each Operational Command Unit that each Special Constable works within to put them forward for response driver training according to local criteria and business need.

Q3 - How many Special Constables currently within your force are initial pursuit trained?

There are 34 Special Constables currently within the Metropolitan Police who are initial pursuit trained.

Q4 - What are the criteria for a Special Constable within your force to be offered initial pursuit training?

A number of seats for each training are offered to the Operational Command units for each quarter/training year. It is down to those Operational Command units who have Special Constable working within them to decide if/how seats will be given to them.

Q5 - How many Special Constables currently within your force are Advanced Driver Trained?

There are 5 Special Constables currently within the Metropolitan Police who are Advanced Driver Trained.

Q6 - What departments do Advanced Driver Trained Specials operate within your force?

Central Specialist Crime
Frontline Policing Headquarters
MO8 Roads & Transport Policing
MO11 Operational Support Services

Q7 - What are the criteria for a Special Constable within your force to be offered Advanced Driver Training?

It will be up for each Operational Command Unit that each Special Constable works within to put them forward for Advanced driver training according to local criteria and business need.

Q8 - What are the criteria for a Special Constable within your force to retain their Advanced Driver skill?

There is no specific criteria: it is down to the individual to register themselves on to a refresher session to maintain their driving as required.