Officer stop and search training
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.25.045750
I note you seek access to the following information:
In relation to stop and search training:
- Are officers taught that the smell of cannabis alone should not be used as grounds to search a person.
PACE Code A: - Are officers taught that reasonable force (e.g the use of handcuffs) must only be used as a last resort and every effort must be made to allow a person to comply before using reasonable force.
- Are officers taught that clothing cannot be used alone or in combination with any other factor to search a person unless there is information or intelligence which provides a specific description of a person suspected of carrying an item for which there is a power to search.
- How is conflict management taught in relation to stop and search.
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full. Please find below information pursuant to your request above.
In the section of this notice titled Information Disclosed below
In relation to stop and search training:
Q1 - Are officers taught that the smell of cannabis alone should not be used as grounds to search a person.
In establishing grounds for a stop and search officers are taught to use the POSH mnemonic.
P – Paint the scene: What is the policing picture. What do you know.
O – Observe: What have you seen.
S – Smell: Can you smell petrol, paint or drugs.
H – Hear: What have you heard.
This approach was recently outlined and delivered to 33,000 officers in the New Met for London training programme. This point was specifically covered in the section on Stop & Search featuring in the video Stop & Search: Reasonable Grounds to Suspect.
Transcript:
It’s ok to use the smell of cannabis in your grounds but remember you shouldn’t use the smell of cannabis alone. You need other factors like the persons behaviour, appearance, actions and any drugs paraphernalia you might have seen.
PACE Code A:
Q2 - Are officers taught that reasonable force (e.g the use of handcuffs) must only be used as a last resort and every effort must be made to allow a person to comply before using reasonable force.
Officers are taught to align their use of force according to the National Decision Model (NDM) and that this is an ongoing, cyclical process while dealing with any incident. The NDM has five key steps:
1. Gather Information and Intelligence.
2. Assess Threat & Risk and Develop a Working Strategy.
3. Consider powers and Policy.
4. Identify Options and Contingencies.
5. Take Action and review What Happened.
The police codes of practice and the standards of behaviour at the core of the model and should be reflected in every action taken.
Generally, handcuffs are used when the officer feels that a person is a danger to them, other members of the public or the person being stopped. It is an escalation, and their use needs to be justified. To say the last resort is not accurate – in certain circumstances it may be the first thing you do (so for instance if you were searching for a weapon or someone was behaving aggressively).
Q3 - Are officers taught that clothing cannot be used alone or in combination with any other factor to search a person unless there is information or intelligence which provides a specific description of a person suspected of carrying an item for which there is a power to search.
That is partially correct - clothing alone cannot be used – i.e. as a stereotype – unless a description of distinctive clothing – or in combination with clothing, behaviour/seen in close proximity to an event where a description has been circulated.
In terms of training and as per the previous question (Q1) this is covered directly in video MPS Stop and Search - Reasonable grounds to suspect is also covered by the POSH mnemonic – (O stands for observation).
Transcript example from the New Met for London training:
Think about a person’s behaviour, their clothing or any physical signs try and avoid using generic phrases, instead try and actually describe what you have seen…Remember to be intelligence lead by the policing picture, avoid generalisations about groups and unless you have a description about someone, personal factors such as age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender or sexual orientation should not be used.
Furthermore, the MPS has a Stop and Search Charter that was developed post Baroness Casey 2023 review into culture and standards in the MPS. This charter is a set of eight written commitments to the public regarding accountability and community collaboration.
Commitment One: Focus on the quality of the encounter:
The MPS should build better relationships with the community and commit to not stereotyping individuals based on their clothing, race or whether they are in a group.
The subject of conscious and unconscious bias is also covered in Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST) 8-day course in recruit training.
Q4 - How is conflict management taught in relation to stop and search.
The below information relates to the learning materials for the two entry routes into policing.
Recruits
Stop and search is a subject covered multiple times throughout initial training, through classroom-based learning, role plays and video discussions, there is also E-Learning on introduction to stop and search.
It has communication and building rapport which is important for conflict management and de-escalation.
This learning is in addition to the Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST) (8-day course), specifically in day 2 tactical communication, this is taught to all officers in the MPS entering the organisation:
1. In this input officers are taught to distinguish the words tactical and communication, this is to define exactly what the terms mean.
2. How we communicate, methods of communication (this covers language used, tone of voice, body language etc).
3. How communication can break down potential barriers to communications in a policing context.
4. The concept of Betari box - (Betari’s box describes how people can get locked into a vicious or virtuous circle of communication, based on how their attitudes and behaviour respond to each other.
5. Danger cues (signs and symptoms of escalation in behaviour).
6. The confrontational handling model (ICRC).
Existing Officers
As part of New MET for London phase 1, around 33000 officers were given revised guidance on stop & search tactics, this included the Quality of Encounter model: Explain, Ensure, Record, Reassure, a model designed to ensure the public:
• don’t feel unfairly targeted
• are provided with a clear and credible reason for the encounter
• are treated politely and with respect by officers
• that the encounter is conducted promptly
This was to promote best practice amongst existing officers and support the launch of the MPS’ new Stop and Search Charter.