GMP unveils new custody skills course

The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Leadership Training Unit has launched a new custody skills course.

The course places greater emphasis on preventing deaths and adverse incidents happening to persons in custody and the skills to perform the role of custody officer.

At GMP, custody skills training is mandatory for all officers before working in a custody environment.

Course duration has increased from five to ten days. Officers attending develop the knowledge and skills required to perform the role of custody officer in compliance with the Safer Detention and Handling of Persons in Police Custody doctrine, known as SHoP.

It involves essential inputs from subject matter experts on self defence, forensic and first aid issues. It culminates with a two-day Hydra immersive learning exercise. The Hydra team has designed a ‘real-life’ scenario and working in small groups the students face complex decisions and test their prior learning in a safe teaching environment.

The Hydra exercise is intense and involves electronic scenario information in various formats, such as audio clips and radio commentary. This training allows students to apply the skills they have learnt.

Feedback from students has been very positive and more importantly they feel confident in performing the role. In addition to student recognition, the NPIA has also reviewed this course and involved GMP’s trainers in designing the National Custody Course.