Hampshire Constabulary
Chief Constable Alex Marshall
Police
Headquarters
N Smith
West Hill
request-19591-
Romsey Road
[email address]
Winchester
Hampshire
SO22 5DB
Telephone: 0845 045 45 45
Our ref: HC/3335/09
Direct dial: 01962 814757
Your ref:
Fax No: 01962 871204
Deaf/speech impaired minicom: 01962 875000
Email: [Hampshire Police request email]
October 22nd 2009
Dear N Smith
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: HC/03335/09
Your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act was received by the
Freedom of Information Section at Hampshire Constabulary on 7th October 2009. I note you
seek access to the following information:
I wanted to enquire about the driving permits offered by your Force to Police
Officers. The questions I have are:
1. What levels of driving permits are offered?
2. What do each of the driving permits allow the holder to do?
3. What training is required for each of the driving permits and how are the
candidates assessed?
4. How long in length are the courses for each of the respective driving permits?
5. Are any of the driving permits offered by your Force, offered in a modular
basis, (i.e. are they offered in modules of 1 week at a time until the course is
complete etc),
6. Which of the permits are available to Special Constables?
7. If any modular courses are offered, are the available to Special Constables?
8. How many Special Constables in your Force have driving permits which allow
them to respond (i.e. use blue lights, sirens and allowed the holder to utilise
the relevant exemptions afforded to them in law with respect of speeding,
going through red lights etc),
RESULT OF SEARCHES
Point 1
Hampshire Constabulary currently only issues Green permits to its highest trained drivers.
There are plans to change this in the future.
Points 2, 3, 4 & 5
Green permit holders have completed a 20-day Advanced Course and a 5-day Tactical
Pursuit and Containment (TPAC) Course. They can respond at any speed and be involved
in both the initial and tactical phase of a pursuit.
www.hampshire.police.uk
Hampshire Constabulary
Chief Constable Alex Marshall
All our training complies with the Codes of Practice 2007 and exceeds the requirements of
the national police driver training modules.
An updated police driver training manual was launched by ACPO in June 2009 and this
provides force driving schools with a framework to develop courses based on the National
Police Driving Standards. This manual may be located at the following link:
http://www.acpos.police.uk/Documents/Policies/RP_NPDSC%20Police%20Driving%20Man
ual%202009.pdf
Points 5 & 6
This information is available in the following procedure:
http://www.hampshire.police.uk/NR/rdonlyres/DC14A39A-0B1C-4E14-AF54-
2B565947F3E9/0/08501.pdf
Hampshire Constabulary does not hold this information as modular courses are not offered
at this time.
Point 7
Whilst some officers are denied use of statutory exemptions by force procedures they are in
fact still legally entitled to claim them until the relevant provisions of the Road Safety Act
2006 are given legal backing (in respect of speed).
Further information is contained within Policy 08500 and Procedure 08501 – Police Drivers.
This information is published on the Hampshire Constabulary website at the following links:
http://www.hampshire.police.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3DF76A29-78F3-4CAD-902D-
AA05A5748F20/0/08500.pdf
http://www.hampshire.police.uk/NR/rdonlyres/DC14A39A-0B1C-4E14-AF54-
2B565947F3E9/0/08501.pdf
Further policy and procedure information is available at the following link:
http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/rightinfo/foi/informationclasses/policies/vehicles.htm
Additional Information Please note the force is currently reviewing its use of permits and is likely to extend the use
in the future.
COMPLAINT RIGHTS
Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet detailing your rights.
Thank you for your interest in Hampshire Constabulary.
www.hampshire.police.uk
Hampshire Constabulary
Chief Constable Alex Marshall
Should you have any further inquiries concerning this matter, please write or contact Becky
Hill on telephone number 01962 814757 quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Becky Hill
Freedom of Information Decision Maker
www.hampshire.police.uk
Hampshire Constabulary
Chief Constable Alex Marshall
COMPLAINT RIGHTS
Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the decision is incorrect?
You have the right to require Hampshire Constabulary to review their decision.
Prior to lodging a formal complaint, you are welcome and encouraged to discuss the decision with
the case officer who dealt with your request.
Ask to have the decision looked at again –
The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to telephone the case officer
that is nominated at the end of your decision letter.
That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and assist with any problems.
Complaint
If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of Hampshire Constabulary made
under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding access to information, you can lodge a
complaint with Hampshire Constabulary to have the decision reviewed. Hampshire Constabulary
must be notified of your intention to complain within 2 months of the date of its response to your
Freedom of Information request. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:
Freedom of Information
Information Compliance Unit
Police Headquarters
West Hill, Romsey Road
Winchester
Hants SO22 5DB
In all possible circumstances, Hampshire Constabulary will aim to respond to your complaint within 3
months.
The Information Commissioner
If, after lodging a complaint with Hampshire Constabulary, you are still dissatisfied with the decision,
you may make application to the Information Commissioner for a decision on whether the request
for information has been dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of
Information Act (2000).
For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner, please visit their
website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk. Alternatively, phone or write to:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 700
www.hampshire.police.uk
