Training

Until recently, it was normal for all new recruits to spend several months at a police training college. These were run in a military style - parades, inspections etc. They taught all a new recruit needed to know in theory - but with no practice. The new thinking is that training can be better provided on the job, with shorter stints of classroom-based theory backed up with practical experience on the street. This may also work out cheaper for the individual forces when compared to months of residential training via Centrex. I understand that the basic Police Training College course costs forces around £25,000 per officer. Non-residential training puts more uniforms on the streets too - never a bad thing given the shortages of officers. I'm missing out on a long tradition that accompanies the police colleges - things like passing out parades were scrapped a couple of years ago. I would imagine it is all part of a move away from a more formal, military-style police 'force' to a less formal, civilian police 'service'. For example, senior officers (inspectors and above) are addressed as 'sir' or 'ma'am' - it wouldn't surprise me to learn that these might be phased out (though I’ve not had any indication that this might happen).