Operational partnerships - Staff safety policy (O43)

1. Summary of changes

1.1. This policy has been reviewed in February 2024 - no amendments to content have been made. 

2. What this policy is about

2.1. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the risk of injury from assaults to staff is reduced as far as possible, whilst protecting the public from harm.

2.2. The following procedures have been introduced in order that staff are provided with the necessary training and equipment to enable them to contain and resolve the wide variety of violent incidents, which they may encounter. This will usually be achieved peacefully, but in all cases it will be within the law, using only such force as is reasonable and necessary in the circumstances.

2.3. Specialist personal safety equipment training for police support units and firearms authorised officers is the subject of a separate policy.

Compliance with this policy and any linked procedures is mandatory.

3. Statement of policy

3.1. At a time of ever shrinking resources, the purpose of this policy is to provide Kent Police with sufficient numbers of trained officers to protect themselves and the public on a day to day basis. It is also designed to provide sufficient officers to provide continuity in the event of an extraordinary demand such as extended periods of mutual aid.

It is accepted that, in the event of an extraordinary demand, there are a number of roles that would be mobilised to the frontline e.g. PSD. These roles will be reviewed annually via the Joint Negotiating Consultative Committee (JNCC).

3.2. The content and context of the personal safety training guidance is the responsibility of the College of Policing (COP) and the NPCC Self Defence and Restraint Committee. This is governed through a central authority comprising of stakeholders from COP, NPCC, HMIC and force training managers.

3.3. The role of the police officer incorporates the lawful use of force and as such they must be provided with the subsequent skills and authority to use initiative and exercise care in their care of an injured person. They must establish a ‘reasonable and practicable’ standard of care to prevent contravening the laws of negligence from careless conduct.

4. Implications of the policy

4.1. Finance/staffing/training/other

4.1.1. The objectives of this policy will be discharged through training and regular annual refresher training for all eligible operational officers and staff in accordance with the COP guidance for PST and the associated guidance for the assessment of PST.

4.1.2. The staff safety training unit will provide the training on behalf of the organisation and will be responsible for the recording of training.

4.2. Risk assessment

4.2.1. This policy has been assessed as medium risk.

4.3. Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)

4.3.1. An EIA has been carried out and shows the proposals have a high potential for differential/adverse impact on groups or race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, transgender, disability, age, religion or belief or sexual orientation.

5. Consultation

• Staff Safety Training Unit
• Professional Standards
• Legal
• Human Resources
• Health and Safety
• Equality and Diversity
• Freedom of Information
• Finance
• IT Security
• Police Federation
• Unison

6. Monitoring and review

6.1. This policy will be monitored by the Staff Safety Training Unit to ensure that the guidance and training maintains accurate to the College of Policing guidance for personal safety training. 

6.2. This policy is next scheduled for review in February 2026.

7. Security

7.1. Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management policy.

8. Retention and disposal of records

8.1.Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal policy.