Officer disclosure training 479/2023

FOI Reference: 479/2023

Request:

Under the DPA 2018, we are requesting information regarding the training of police officers in relation to the Attorney General’s Guidelines on Disclosure and the NPCC and the CPS Joint Principles for Redaction.

1. During the period 01/01/2021 – 01/04/2022, what format of training did officers receive regarding the above, and what number received this training? Please can we have the format of training grouped as per the below:

• Face to face
• Online seminar
• Guidance email/briefing note
• Other

2. Following the revised NPCC and CPS Joint Principles for Redaction, was any updated training offered? Again, please break this down by number and by the nature of the training as follows:

• Face to face
• Online seminar
• Guidance email/briefing note
• Other

3. Regarding redactions, what software is used by your Force and how many licences do you hold for use in relation to CPS Disclosure?

Response 1:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold some of the information requested the details of which are as follows:

The Higher Case Progression Officers provided training to officers  and issued guidance via the Criminal Justice briefing. In addition,  the Criminal Justice homepage was/continues to be updated to include all material on redaction/DGA/AGG guidelines.

We are unable to provide accurate training numbers as the information has not been routinely recorded. All student officers received the above training (67 – with 23 delivered online, the rest in class) and 57 other officers have been recorded as receiving the training outlined.

31 Detectives partook in the face-to-face PIP 2 Investigators course between the period 01/01/2021 – 01/04/2022.  This course covers the Attorney General’s Guidelines on Disclosure.

In December 2020, the new Attorney General’s Guidelines on Disclosure was published on the Force intranet and includes various guidance documents and remains open. The page includes a summary of the main changes, Attorney Generals Guidelines, CPIA COP, DPP guidance on charging, national file standards, FAQ, NPCC briefing on the changes. This page was viewed by 806 staff members.

Response 2:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold some of the information requested the details of which are as follows:

The Higher Case Progression Officers provided training to officers  and issued guidance via the Criminal Justice briefing. In addition,  the Criminal Justice homepage was/continues to be updated to include all material on redaction/DGA/AGG guidelines.

We are unable to provide accurate training numbers as the information has not been routinely recorded. All student officers received the above training (67) have been recorded as receiving the training outlined.

After the changes, 54 Detectives partook in the face-to-face PIP 2 Investigators course between 2021-2023.  This course covers the following:

• Refresh on principles of Disclosure – Relevancy Test & Disclosure Test
• Knowledge of statutory guidance regarding Disclosure – CPIA 1996 & AGG 2020
• Identifying Highly Sensitive Material
• Understand importance of Investigation Management Document and its benefits
• Identifying Rebuttable presumption material
• How to approach pre-charge engagement (Early defence engagement)

In December 2020, the new Attorney General’s Guidelines on Disclosure was published on the Force intranet and includes various guidance documents and remains open. The page includes a summary of the main changes, Attorney Generals Guidelines, CPIA COP, DPP guidance on charging standards, national file standards, FAQ, NPCC briefing on the changes. This page was viewed by 806 staff members.

HDPP has a designated online disclosure platform.

The online learning package: “Disclosure – Updates to the Attorney General’s Guidelines on Disclosure and the CPIA Code of Practice” was mandated by HDPP. 187 officers have completed this package.

Response 3:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, the details of which are as follows:

• Adobe Acrobat - All force users are licensed to use

It should be noted that owing to the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such matters the information provided may or may not be accurate. 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.

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 11/12/23)