Training strategy

Report: 5
Date: 16 November 2000
By: Commissioner

Summary

The present MPS Training Strategy covers the period 2000-03.This paper provides an overview of the main features of the Strategy and a summary of how the Strategy meets the requirements of the HMIC thematic inspection report ‘Managing Learning’.

A. Supporting information

1. The requirement for a training strategy is clearly identified in the HMIC thematic report ‘Managing Learning’. This report provides valuable guidance to forces. However, it was followed by a series of further reports on training matters commissioned by the Home Secretary. These culminated in the publication in May 2000 of ‘Police training - the way forward’, which outlines the Government’s intentions as regards police training. This was described in greater detail in report 7 for the HR Committee meeting on 19 October 2000. A Bill is now being prepared which will lay a statutory obligation for police authorities to set out annual proposals for the training and professional development of the members of their force. The detail of this Bill is not yet known.

2. The present MPS Training Strategy has been set for the period 2000-03. It is supported by an annual training plan approved by the MPS Training Management Board. In combination these meet the training strategy requirements identified by HMIC. The Strategy was written in 1999 and, although the underlying principles remain unchanged, some of the terminology has been overtaken by the reorganisation of the MPS. The Strategy will be reviewed once the Bill has been published at which point it will also be updated to reflect the reorganisation of the MPS.

3. The purpose of the Strategy is to set the general direction for the management of training within the MPS and to establish the procedures to be followed in commissioning and reviewing training provision.

4. Appendix 1 demonstrates how the present arrangements meet the HMIC requirements published in ‘Managing Learning’. The Training Strategy is at Appendix 2 (see Supporting material).

The systems approach

5. A central feature of the Strategy is the adoption of the Systems Approach to Training (SAT). SAT is a widely accepted methodology, which ensures that proper attention is paid to each stage of the training process from inception and design, through delivery to evaluation. SAT also ensures that the client/contractor relationship is maintained with clearly defined responsibilities falling to each party. The end result is training which is:

• Commissioned on the basis of performance need
• Properly resourced
• Delivered according to an agreed design
• Reviewed and kept current in a changing environment
• Evaluated against performance in the workplace

This approach was commended by HMIC in the 1999 report, ‘Managing Learning’.

Management and prioritisation

6. Strategic management and the prioritisation of training is a function of the Training Management Board (TMB). The TMB is composed of senior MPS personnel with overall portfolio responsibility. The terms of reference are:

• To prioritise the identified training needs of the MPS
• To determine where such training will be delivered
• To approve for Management Board’s consideration the costed pan-MPS Annual Training Plan
• To recommend to Management Board any major changes in the overall funding of the training system
• To monitor the MPS performance management of the training system
• To review and recommend, where appropriate, developments within the training environment appropriate to the MPS
• To arbitrate on competing demands from School Management Boards
• To act as an advisory board for the Director of Training and Development
• To approve and submit to Management Board an annual impact statement in respect of training delivery.

7. The strategy provides a framework with the flexibility required to meet our present needs in a rapidly changing training environment. However, we are mindful of the need to accommodate the consequences of the forthcoming legislation on police training and the establishment of HMIC’s lay inspector of training. The current arrangements will be reviewed in the light of new legislative requirements once these become known.

B. Recommendations

The Committee is invited to note the contents of the report.

C. Financial implications

None.

D. Review arrangements

The Training Strategy is reviewed annually.

E. Background papers

• HMIC report ‘Managing Learning - a Study of Police Training’ April 1999.
• Home Office report ‘Police training - the way forward’.

F. Contact details

The author of this report is Michael Harwood-Grayson, Directorate of Training and Development, MPS.

For information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Appendix 1: HMIC requirements for a training strategy

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