professional - University of Central Lancashire

HQ Special Constabulary Training
Our Commitment
We will ensure that all Special Constables receive a quality corporate, probationary
and development training programme that provides Officers with the necessary
skills, competencies and opportunities to enable them to safely and confidently
deliver policing in our local communities.
Modular Training Programme
The SC modular training programme recognises the need for flexibility for Officers
completing initial training. The aim is to provide Specials with the appropriate
knowledge, skills and competence to perform their role. Course content for the initial
training programme includes the minimum content advised to be delivered from the
National Strategy Implementation Guidance – Training and Development (2008) as
well as the National Curriculum set out in the NPIA’s Initial Learning for Special
Constable’s (IL4SC) programme. Our programme builds further upon the guidance
minimum content, enabling a reasonable core of policing knowledge to be provided.
Team Building Days
On various dates during the autumn and winter Specials attended ‘divisional team
building days’ at Hutton Hall. During the morning Officers have looked at some
theory behind the importance of team building and supervisors were able to present
their local policing ambitions and strategies to staff. In the afternoon several
‘command and control’ tasks were set at locations around the training centre. Teams
of Special Constables led by their supervisors worked together to find solutions to
challenging problems. Command and control tasks are used by the armed forces to
identify potential Officers and supervisors. The day ended with Officers presenting
what they had learnt from their group tasks. Specials Trainer PC Dave Smith
commented that "The day was a valuable experience which clearly improved team
communication, morale and motivation. The feedback from the Specials was
fantastic even though they were cold, wet and muddy!” It is planned to run similar
events for Specials from the remaining territorial divisions later in 2012.
Regional Leadership Training
Lancashire hosted three Level 1 (Sergeants) and one Level 2 (Inspectors)
leadership courses for Special’s supervisors from across the region. Courses have
also been attended by Specials from as far away as Gloucestershire, Durham,
Northumbria, West Midlands and the Metropolitan Police.
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Lancashire
Constabulary’s
ambition is to
provide the
best Specials
training in the
country