FOI 003296 Training on Neurodiverse Conditions
Request Number: 003296/22
Date of Decision: 14 September 2022
Subject Area: HR
Decision: Disclosed
Request
Does this force provide mandatory training for its officers, in handling those with neurodiverse conditions, who come into contact with police?
· If so, could you provide details of this training? This might include how long it lasts, a brief outline of what is covered etc.
· If this force does not provide mandatory training for its officers in this area, could you provide details of any training which is offered
Could you provide any copies, if they exist, of this forces protocol/guidance documents for handling those with neurodiverse conditions (for example at arrest, or in police custody)
· If there is any separate protocol for autism, could you provide this as well?
Lastly, does this force use autism alert cards?
Reply
All new Police Officers, PCSOs, Specials and custody staff receive an input on Awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders as part of their initial courses which is mandatory.
The training is a one and a half hour input and covers awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders, provides advice on working with people on the autistic spectrum and mentions the use of Attention/Alert Cards. A similar input is provided on the ICIDP and ABE Courses which are not mandatory.
Please also be aware that Police forces in the United Kingdom are routinely required to provide crime statistics to government bodies and the recording criteria is set nationally. However, the systems used for recording these figures are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the crime data. It should be noted that for these reasons this force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other response you may receive.
Lincolnshire Police in complying with their statutory duty under sections 1 and 11 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed information will not breach the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. However, the rights of the copyright owner of the enclosed information will continue to be protected by law. Applications for the copyright owner’s written permission to reproduce any part of the attached information should be addressed to The Force Solicitor, Lincolnshire Police, PO Box 999, Lincoln LN5 7PH