Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 57
57
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 424
Gaps in police communication and de-escalation training hinder fair and effective stop and search.
Conclusion
We have heard about a number of important initiatives designed to improve the experience of stops, and particularly welcome those referred to in this report that have been introduced by both BME community leaders and police forces to foster more honest and transparent discussion about stop and search. However, there are clear gaps in police communication, conflict management and de-escalation training which need to be addressed so that police officers can use stop and search effectively and fairly as a tool in tackling crime. As recommended by HMICFRS, forces should ensure officers and staff receive training on effective communication skills, in line with the National Policing Guidelines on Conflict Management; this should be provided in addition to existing training on conflict management and de- escalation.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of training and states that existing training and guidelines, including new conflict management guidelines, are already in place and part of the new curriculum. It further commits to supporting a review and delivery of any necessary improvements to de-escalation and conflict management training by autumn 2024 as part of the Inclusive Britain report.
Paragraph Reference:
424
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Government Response The Home Office agrees on the importance of training for police officers to ensure they have the practical skills to use powers legitimately and better interact with the communities they serve, and welcomes the significant improvements made by policing bodies and forces in this area. Policing partners, including the College have developed a series of training and guidance packages, such as the recently published conflict management guidelines. These include learning materials in relation to stop and search that give officers the tools to better serve their communities and keep people safe. The College also has a strong focus on vulnerability and mental health guidance, where learning standards encourage a person-focused approach. It is essential that officers are supported in accessing conflict management and de-escalation training. In September 2020, the College published national evidence-based guidelines for policing on conflict management, including de-escalation and negotiations skills. These are aimed at resolving conflict in everyday police-citizen encounters without using force by encouraging safer resolutions and therefore reducing the risks of assaults to the public and officers. This is supported by a one-day training package to build on the guidelines and provide further support to forces to reduce the likelihood of police officers needing to use force to resolve issues. This training is included in the new curriculum recommended by the Officer and Staff Safety Review. The Officer and Staff Safety Review, conducted by the College and published in 2020, assessed existing arrangements governing police officer and staff safety in England and Wales. The review presented recommendations designed to reduce the risk of police officers and staff being injured, assaulted or killed in the line of duty. We have committed in Inclusive Britain to supporting the College and the National Police Chiefs’ Council to review and deliver any necessary improvements to police officer training in de-escalation skills and conflict management in everyday police-citizen encounters, such as use of stop and search and use of force powers by autumn 2024. This will offer standardised training offer for officers which will ensure stop and search is not an unnecessarily hostile experience because of an officer’s behaviour.