PSNI Secondments

Question

To ask the Chief Constable for details of the training offered to police forces in Oman by the PSNI, the human rights compliance and how the PSNI can measure the effectiveness of its training?

Response

• 1. Training provided to the Royal Omani Police (ROP)
      
     From 2015 the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have provided training to ROP in Public Order and Public Safety (POPS) Command, incorporating the 6 Core Principles, which are:
• National Decision Model
• Capacity and Capability
• Proportionate Response
• Communication
• Policing Style and Tone
• Command.
   
  Further details on each of these can be found in the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice at the following link:
   
  https://www.app.college.police.uk/app-content/public-order/?s=
   
  The specific courses delivered were:

1. 1.  Basis of training provided (Human Rights Compliance)
       
      In line with Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidance, Overseas Justice Assessments (OSJA) were completed prior to training and formed part of the request for approval process with the Northern Ireland Policing Board and Department of Justice (as per the Police Act 2000, Section 8).  Our approved training is in line with our organisational compliance with human rights and that of the College of Policing. We suspended training when we observed that ROP began to use non-PSNI training methods.  Once specific reassurances were received from ROP that they would resume training in a manner consistent with PSNI standards we re-commenced training.  We only provide training in the use of UK Authorised Professional Practice.
       
       
   2.  Effectiveness of training?

We conducted a number of Quality Assurance visits during the lifespan of this project, to ensure compliance. As previously outlined, when it was identified that ROP were not using the training provided, the project was suspended.

During a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training visit in March 2020, our trainers were able to observe and quality assure Public Order Tactical training through demonstrations provided by ROP.

The training provided by PSNI has been shown to be effective through:

• comparing the ROP response to disorder (prior to training) in 2011 to their most recent response.  ROP mounted a graduated response, as trained.
• through exercising during the training and CPD, with Commanders recording and discussing their actions. ROP Commanders were then asked to reflect upon how their training could be applied to potential scenarios.
• the ROP report provided by A.J. Chattaway on the recent public disorder in Oman also provides assurance that training lesson had been applied.

Dolores Kelly - SDLP