Special Constables currently in the MPS
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.031862
I note you seek access to the following information:
1. How many Special Constables do you currently have in your Force?
2. Does your force allow Special Constables to be based or posted within Emergency Response Teams as well as Specialist Units? If so, which units are Special Constables NOT allowed to be based or posted to?
3. Does your force offer your Special Constables Standard/Response driving courses?
4. If yes, how many Special Constables in your force are trained in Standard/Response driving?
5. If applicable, what are the eligibility/selection criteria to apply for or be selected for a Standard Response driving course?
6. Does your force offer your Special Constables the opportunity to become Advanced Driving trained?
7. If yes, how many Special Constables are currently Advanced Driving trained?
8. If applicable, what are the eligibility/selection criteria to apply or be selected for an Advanced Driving course?
9. Does your force offer Special Constables the opportunity to be trained in Initial Phase Pursuit (IPP)?
10. If yes, how many Special Constables are currently IPP trained?
11. If applicable, what are the eligibility/selection criteria to apply for or to be selected for an IPP course?
12. Does your force offer Special Constables the opportunity to be Taser trained?
13. If yes, how many Special Constables are currently Taser trained?
14. If applicable, what are the eligibility/selection criteria that apply to be selected for a Taser course?
15. Does your force offer Special Constables the opportunity to be Public Order Level 2 trained?
16. If yes, how many Special Constables are currently Public Order Level 2 trained?
17. If applicable, what are the eligibility/selection criteria to apply for or to be selected for a Public Order Level 2 course?
Decision
I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:
Section 21 – Information reasonably accessible by other means
Reason for decision
The information requested within question 1 has been identified as being accessible via other means as it is already published. Where information is already in the public domain we are not required to re-publish the data; instead public authorities are required to direct you to the information, which we have done in this instance. This action is in accordance with section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act.
I am pleased to inform you that the information requested within question 1 is held by the MPS and is already in the public domain. The information can be accessed via the following:
Q1 - How many Special Constables do you currently have in your Force?
MPS - Workforce Data Report
Disclosure
Q2 - Does your force allow Special Constables to be based or posted within Emergency Response Teams as well as Specialist Units? If so, which units are Special Constables NOT allowed to be based or posted to?
There is no unit within the Met where MSC officers are prohibited from serving, however due to firearms training not being available we wouldn’t necessarily send them to MO19 unless there was a specific unarmed role that needed filling.
Q3 - Does your force offer your Special Constables Standard/Response driving courses?
Yes
Q3 - If yes, how many Special Constables in your force are trained in Standard/Response driving?
99
Q4 - If applicable, what are the eligibility/selection criteria to apply for or be selected for a Standard Response driving course?
Must be IPS and up to date will all mandatory training, have passed the driving exams and have BCU line management support
Q5 - Does your force offer your Special Constables the opportunity to become Advanced Driving trained?
Yes
Q6 - If yes, how many Special Constables are currently Advanced Driving trained?
Currently 9 officers
Q7 - If applicable, what are the eligibility/selection criteria to apply or be selected for an Advanced Driving course?
Must be IPS and up to date will all mandatory training, have passed the driving exams and have BCU line management support and have been a standard/response driver for two years
Q8 - Does your force offer Special Constables the opportunity to be trained in Initial Phase Pursuit (IPP)?
Yes
Q9 - If yes, how many Special Constables are currently IPP trained?
42
Q10 - If applicable, what are the eligibility/selection criteria to apply for or to be selected for an IPP course?
Must be IPS and up to date will all mandatory training, have passed the driving exams and have BCU line management support
Q11 - Does your force offer Special Constables the opportunity to be Taser trained?
No
Q12 - If yes, how many Special Constables are currently Taser trained?
N/A
Q13 - If applicable, what are the eligibility/selection criteria that apply to be selected for a Taser course?
N/A
Q14 - Does your force offer Special Constables the opportunity to be Public Order Level 2 trained?
Yes
Q15 - If yes, how many Special Constables are currently Public Order Level 2 trained?
90
Q16 - If applicable, what are the eligibility/selection criteria to apply for or to be selected for a Public Order Level 2 course?
Any MSC officer that has achieved Independent Patrol status, not undergoing any performance, misconduct or attendance management processes. Is able to achieve 6.3 on the bleep test and demonstrated commitment to the policing of centrally owned events with a minimum deployment of six events per annum.