Are police drivers still being trained to Class 1?
Discussion
One for any police officers on the forum.
Are any police drivers still trained to Class 1, or is the increasing use of helicopters and other technology seen by the police (or Home Office etc) as a reason for training to a lower level of skill, eg Class 3?
If some officers are still being trained to Class 1 standard, is the number as high as it was, say, 10 years ago?
Are any police drivers still trained to Class 1, or is the increasing use of helicopters and other technology seen by the police (or Home Office etc) as a reason for training to a lower level of skill, eg Class 3?
If some officers are still being trained to Class 1 standard, is the number as high as it was, say, 10 years ago?
Yes, they are.
BUT
I met a recently retired class 1 driver a couple of years ago at a government function. He lives near his local traffic HQ and keeps in touch with them.
Said standards have dropped considerably since his day. That's class 1.
I won't tell you what he said about the lower grades.
No offence to current company. There must be some good 'uns above the dross.
BUT
I met a recently retired class 1 driver a couple of years ago at a government function. He lives near his local traffic HQ and keeps in touch with them.
Said standards have dropped considerably since his day. That's class 1.
I won't tell you what he said about the lower grades.
No offence to current company. There must be some good 'uns above the dross.
Sounds reasonable, although there is sometimes a hint of "things were better in my day" about people's recollections of standards.
I was prompted to post the question by some anecdotal evidence from someone who should know, and what seems like more frequent sitings of liveried traffic cars being driven to a standard that could conceivably fail an IAM exam, let alone a Class 1 standard.
I was prompted to post the question by some anecdotal evidence from someone who should know, and what seems like more frequent sitings of liveried traffic cars being driven to a standard that could conceivably fail an IAM exam, let alone a Class 1 standard.
The standard has changed considerably. In some forces there is no longer grading anymore such as Class 1 or Class 2 Advanced. The course is now either a pass or fail.
Some forces still retain the classification but having had experience of some of those recently trained (in my view poor) and the fact that Roads Policing Departments are no longer Traffic specialists but fast crime car advocates, there is no advantage or even quodos involved in personal achievement other than passing the required minimum standard to allow the student to progress to driving the class of vehicle used by the department.
There used to be an incentive to get high marks and a Class 1 as those that did not achieve that mark and gained a Class 2, were barred from driving unmarked enforcement cars and car on loan from manufacturers for testing (If it survived a month of Police drivers it was virtually indestructable
). Only the best and most able were considered worthy of such equipment.
Now sadly, this does not apply and merely achieving the minimum standard is enough to let lose in any performance car used or loaned for tests.
The standard is high though, just not as testing as it used to be as there is no real incentive to get anything above the minimum standard.
Some forces still retain the classification but having had experience of some of those recently trained (in my view poor) and the fact that Roads Policing Departments are no longer Traffic specialists but fast crime car advocates, there is no advantage or even quodos involved in personal achievement other than passing the required minimum standard to allow the student to progress to driving the class of vehicle used by the department.
There used to be an incentive to get high marks and a Class 1 as those that did not achieve that mark and gained a Class 2, were barred from driving unmarked enforcement cars and car on loan from manufacturers for testing (If it survived a month of Police drivers it was virtually indestructable
). Only the best and most able were considered worthy of such equipment. Now sadly, this does not apply and merely achieving the minimum standard is enough to let lose in any performance car used or loaned for tests.
The standard is high though, just not as testing as it used to be as there is no real incentive to get anything above the minimum standard.
Podie said: How have the numbers of Police accidents changed over the same period...? Has there been an increase, decrease, or little change?
Without looking at national statistics and comparing the number of Police drivers from then with now, also the increase in demand over those drivers, it would be difficult to say.
I do know that the increase in demand on police in general is about 10 times what it was 20 years ago.
pigme said: Madcop, just curious if you actually do any "Police" work, as you seem to be online at any given time of the day?
This bring up another question, what the forces view to its officers using their resources to "surf" the net?
(no offence meant!)
To answer your question. I work shifts. Very different ones on a rapid rotation system.
At the beginning of the week, I start with a couple of day shifts, then a late shift ending at 0100 hours (if I am lucky) then three night shifts finishing at 0500 then a quick swing late shift then two days off when the pattern starts again.
My particular roll is one which is in high demand when I am at work because there are not many of us so I am very busy most of the time.
The computer network in my force does not give access to internet connection (although I can receive e-mail form outside the force) unless there is a specific management need to have the authorisation passed by HQ.
I do not have access to any terminal to post on PH whilst I am at work and generally would not have time, particularly at the moment with the security threat around london as it is.
All my posting is done from home when I get in from shift work and am too awake to go to bed.
Marcos maniac said:
madcop said
All my posting is done from home when I get in from shift work and am too awake to go to bed.
edited to add: after i have walked the dog, fed him and put him to bed(assuming its a him)
>> Edited by Marcos maniac on Wednesday 19th February 10:50
Something like that
It is a him and I am just off to stretch his legs (and maybe his neck if he is a numpty whilst doing it) 
madcop said:
Marcos maniac said:
madcop said
All my posting is done from home when I get in from shift work and am too awake to go to bed.
edited to add: after i have walked the dog, fed him and put him to bed
>> Edited by Marcos maniac on Wednesday 19th February 10:50
Something like that
I know the feeling well
you couldn't take a couple of mine could you edited to add; if you have chance can you have a look at this for me:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&h=&t=29078
TYIA
>> Edited by Marcos maniac on Wednesday 19th February 11:56
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