What level of maths and English do police officers need?

POLICE constables are being asked to give their views on the level of English, maths and computer skills required to join the police service.

The College of Policing is carrying out research, in partnership with Skills for Justice, to identify the future skills levels required for police constables, PCSOs and special constables at entry level. The survey asks officers to give their view on what level of skills are needed to carry out certain activities.

For example, in one question, officers are asked whether presenting evidence in court in a clear and concise manner requires speaking skills at a basic, intermediate or advanced level or if speaking skills are not required at all.

In another question officers are asked what level of interpreting skills are needed to interpret and read graphs, such as from a breath test machine. The survey also looks at reading and listening skills, written skills, calculations and using ICT in a responsible manner.

The research is being undertaken at the request of the Police Advisory Board’s (PAB) National Recruitment Standards Sub-committee. It comes almost two years after Tom Winsor spoke of claims that some officers presented evidence in court cases that was “barely literate”.

He told the Superintendents’ Association conference in 2011 that some lawyers spoke in “contemptuous terms” of the quality of police evidence and he suggested police entry tests were significantly easier than they were 60 years ago.

In evidence submitted to the Winsor Review Part II, the Police Federation argued that academic qualifications have “no real bearing” on whether someone has the personal attributes needed to be a police officer.

Special constables, PCSOs and people involved in recruitment, training and management are also being asked to take part in the College of Policing consultation.

The deadline for responses is Thursday 20 June and a report will be submitted to the PAB in July detailing the findings of the consultation.

Skills for Justice is a Sector Skills Council licensed by Government and part of the JSSC group, a registered charity.

Alongside the College of Policing it has the responsibility to recommend and monitor the national minimum qualification for police officers.