College of Policing launches new immersive training to improve safety in custody
The College of Policing has launched a new immersive training package for custody sergeants and detention officers which will increase skills and improve safety for those who are arrested.
Force leads and learning and development trainers are being invited to attend a series of train the trainer events where they will learn how to run the immersive learning sessions.
This new hydra training package immerses the learners into a simulated live custody environment alongside multi-agency partners and presents them with real-life scenarios, dilemmas and decisions that affect the safety and well-being of detainees. The training can be carried out in either a hydra suite or within a classroom environment.
The training aims to provide custody officers with the skills, confidence and tools to keep everyone in police custody safe and how to reduce the risk of death and adverse incidents, such as injury, medical emergencies and assaults on staff.
This training is available for all police forces in England and Wales to license and deliver locally. The College of Policing will be holding five ‘train the trainer’ events where they will teach force leads and learning and development trainers how to run the training locally.
Interest for the train the trainer events can be registered here: http://bitly.ws/u4jA
Tony Maggs, custody liaison manager at the College of Policing, said: “This new training has been developed with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, forces and other partners. It is engaging and will allow officers to learn in a way that is as close to real life as possible.
“Custody sergeants and detention officers have a crucial role in looking after those who are arrested and it’s really important they are offered the best quality training so they are fully supported in their job.”
Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp QPM, National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) Custody Lead, said: "My big hope for those that do the training is that they leave feeling that they've really been tested. They've really had to stop and really think, that they understand that their decisions and their actions have a direct impact on what happens in custody – and, importantly, the safety of those within custody – and a greater appreciation of their critical role in terms of safety and the running of the custody centre."