Duty of Care to officers suffering Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.039694

I note you seek access to the following information:

We have noticed a significant gap in Met Police officers' Duty of Care and adequate approach and knowledge when it comes of people with trauma, especially with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) and victims of abuse. Civilians seem to be continuously triggered and mistreated even after their pleads for a better approach from the officers. CPTSD is not uncommon within Met staff so it's rather odd that most still have no clue how to approach people with this condition. One of the issues is the way staff communicate things and the lack of reassurance. The communication if often unclear and inconsistent, staff seem to fail to acknowledge the civilians' needs and experience. There seems to be an overall lack of emotional intelligence within the Met.

We would like to know the following:

• What training is provided on CPTSD and how often is it updated.
• If there is CPTSD- specific training, how often are the officers required to do a refresher.
• What training on communication is provided and what is the Met doing to ensure it's clear and consistent.
• What attention is given to Emotional intelligence and what is this organisation doing to ensure their staff are emotionally intelligent.
• What is the Met doing to ensure Duty of Care is followed.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full. Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

There are courses specialising in Safeguarding – dealing with issues like Child abuse, rape and Sexual offences, hate crime etc. Specialist training is provided with each of those courses to equip specialist officers to help victims through the investigation and to court, and as appropriate with specialist Achieving Best Evidence interviewing and requesting special measures.

Front Line officers also receive training on a number of lessons on their foundation courses eg

IPLDP Initial Assessment for Victims

• Explain the importance of carrying out an initial victim needs assessment and identity risk at an early stage
• Recognise the need to apply the standards set within the codes of practice for victims of crime

IPLDP Safeguarding, Public Protection and Vulnerability

• Explain the impact of abuse on victims
• Discuss the effectiveness of current public protection practices in investigating public protection incidents
• Discuss the role and impact of MAPPA and the use of community intelligence
• Describe potential links between serious and organised crime and public protection issues 

PCSO Appropriate responses to issues of Vulnerability as a PCSO First Responder

• Consider the importance of vulnerable people being supported by the police
• Review immediate action or advice that can be given to an individual who is vulnerable to on line crime
• Demonstrate the importance of recognising vulnerability and supporting or managing their welfare
• Explore digital signs at a crime scene or home environment that could indicate vulnerability and/or safeguarding measures
• Demonstrate initial action and procedures when dealing with someone who is drunk and disorderly or drunk and incapacitated
• Consider the significance of adulteration and the rights of children
• List the specialist roles, partnerships and multi-agency approaches for supporting and safeguarding victims and witnesses

All courses adhere to our Met values and priories and they are inherent through all our training.

The MPS do not offer any specific courses on Complex PTSD.

In relation to PTSD more broadly, we offer some open access modules via our subscription to Cornerstone’s content product:

There’s also a College Learn module, ‘The Neuroscience of Trauma’ but is not mandatory.