Driving & Taser Standards

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/24/006699/L

Version Date: 21/10/2024

The Professional Standards Department and Alliance Resourcing & Development Department have provided the following information.

My first question is regarding driving tickets and standards. What qualifications can your normal Constables receive in terms of driving along with your special constables and PCSO’s, and would this change via rank for example if someone is a inspector can they still receive the same driver tickets.

For driving authorisations, they are role specific and not rank specific. Sworn staff (police officers and special constables) are given the same role specific authorisations, whereas unsworn staff (PCSO/police staff) receive basic driver authorisation. Qualifications for sworn staff are basic level, response level and advanced level.

My second question is about driving standards, how does the force go about driving standards if it dealt with by your Roads Policing command or command with response for example if a Response Policing Constable committed a moving traffic offence who would deal with it and what stages would it go through.

If any officer was identified as having committed a moving traffic offence there would be an expectation that it is referred to the Professional Standards Department for a conduct assessment.

Same question as last but for your taser standers who would deal with them in a case of misuse from a Constable.

If any officer was identified in relation to concern around their use of taser there would be an expectation that it is referred to Professional Standards Department for consideration of a conduct assessment and /or potential learning issue.