REPORT OF THE

HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY

OLYMPIC GAMES 2012

The Authority welcomed the recent announcement that the British Olympic Team will be based in Aldershot during the Olympic Games in 2012. The Chief Constable has highlighted the policing implications and the Authority, in support of the Chief Constable, has written to the Government about its concerns regarding funding for providing policing and security.

STAKEHOLDER NEWSLETTER

The Authority has approved the introduction of a newsletter to be sent to stakeholders in support of the Authority's aims and objectives of improving general understanding of the role of the Authority and stakeholder relations.

The newsletter will have the appropriate corporate branding and will be used to communicate items such as:

· Supporting policing priorities

· Publicising Police Authority meeting dates and issues arising from those meetings

· Promoting consultation and community engagement events

· Feeding back on consultation and community engagement events

· Advertising Police Authority publications

· Promoting the crime prevention grant-making process

It will review events and activities that had passed as well as look forward to promote future events.

The newsletter will be produced on a bi-monthly basis and will be circulated by email.

RESPONSE CAPABILITY

The Authority has considered a report from the Chief Constable regarding the changes to response driving within Hampshire Constabulary which will be required under the Road Safety Bill should it become law. The bill removes the ability of police officers to contravene the Highway Code unless appropriate additional driver training had been undertaken.

There are currently three levels of driver training:

· Basic Driver Training allows officers to drive police vehicles but not exceed the speed limits or to use blue lights other than to stop vehicles.

· The Standard Car Course (area car) allows officers to respond to incidents with sirens and blue lights and to take part in pursuits.

· The Advanced Car Course is nationally prescribed and is targeted at Roads Policing Unit officers, dog handlers, armed response officers and other specialist officers.

The Authority noted that the Chief Constable has prepared a new programme of courses to comply with the changes in the law which has five steps:

· The Basic Driving Course is the lowest level of driving training for those staff simply requiring the ability to drive from one location to another.

· Police officers will complete the Initial Driving course in week 18/19 of their initial training.

· A higher level of driving will be undertaken in the Response Driving Course and officers attending this course must have previously completed the Initial Driving course.

· A Response Plus Course will replace the old Standard Car Course for those officers who have completed the Response Course.

· The Advanced Course remains in its current format.

The Authority noted that this new training programme will enhance delivery of service and equip officers to meet the public expectation and response times.