Police Response Driving - My experience
Discussion
I mentioned in another thread that I was undergoing my standard driving course with the police and had a couple of people email me about it, so thought I would start a thread.
A bit about me. I'm 28 and been driving since I was 17. Had a number of cars, starting with a Fiat Punto, a couple of BMW E39s, a Focus and a Corsa and currently car-less with just a GSXR 600 to get around on, but do have access to a car still. I'm a delivery driver normally with Tesco and drive a Mercedes Sprinter 3.5T van around (or a Iveco Daily if the Merc is broken). I've been a Special since 2010 and currently work within the traffic department (it isn't traffic as such, but part of it).
I found out around April time that I have been given this course, along with two other Specials on the team. It's three weeks (normally four, but I'll get onto that bit later) which meant three weeks from the day job. Thankfully they were fantastic and allowed me to swap shifts around to do it.
Around two months before the course we were given a copy of RoadCraft and the Highway Code along with force policy documents and a list of definitions. I'm not going to lie, I hate reading and really struggle with it. I knew we had a theory test but didn't know when this would be, but I wanted to have a understanding of what we were doing before I walked in on day one so read RoadCraft front to back before the course.
Day one was a lot of classroom stuff, eye sight test (have to have the same standard as HGV/Bus drivers) and driving licence checked. We went through the first three chapters of RoadCraft with the instructor on a power point. I don't find this part easy and was a little worried about the rest of the course.
We ended the day with a short drive each to pick another car up for the course. We would be doing it in a unmarked Skoda Octavia VRS. I was first. I had been given tips by friends who were all advanced police drivers. It was small things like hand position on the gear stick and sustained gear changes. I found out that I brake way to early and do a lot of brake gear overlaps when they aren't needed.
For now we were keeping to all speed limits. Later in the course we keep to all 20, 30, 40, 50 speed limits but NSL is as fast as is safe to make progress.
Day two was a bit more classroom work and also going over the vehicle checks. POWDER - Petrol, Oil, Water, Damage, Electrics, Rubber before going out for some practical work.
It was time to practice our braking, a lot of people brake a lot earlier than they need to and drag the brake, we were told how to brake correctly, it took a bit of getting used to. We also had the sustained gear changes. I struggled with this going down the gears throughout the course. I have no idea why. We also got introduced to the 'system' and speed of approach. For those that don't know the 'system' is how we should be driving. It's about being in the right position, at the correct speed, with the correct gear engaged.
Day three started with a bit of classroom work again. We had a bit of homework and had to give three definitions each before going though some power points for system application for junctions and roundabouts. We were then out for some work on minor roads, applying the system and some observation skills.
Day four was again in the classroom to look at cornering and the limit point. I did my Bike Safe course a few years ago so understood this a bit, but again in the books it didn't make any sense. Thankfully I wasn't first today so could sit in the back and watch. It was a bit weird, it just clicked in my head that I could see the limit point. We now had to put all of what we had learnt into the drive.
Day five this was our first full day of driving (I say full day, it would be around two hours a day, hour in the morning, hour after lunch). My trainers notes are as follows...
Good cockpit drill, good tempo, system is becoming evident, gears are good, good intelligent application, appears relaxed and composed behind the wheel with a solid first week with good development evident in all areas.
I enjoyed the first week. I was mentally shattered though. I was falling asleep at 7pm each night. It wasn't enjoyable that I was being told I couldn't drive (in a nice way mind you).
I'll post week two later tonight.
A bit about me. I'm 28 and been driving since I was 17. Had a number of cars, starting with a Fiat Punto, a couple of BMW E39s, a Focus and a Corsa and currently car-less with just a GSXR 600 to get around on, but do have access to a car still. I'm a delivery driver normally with Tesco and drive a Mercedes Sprinter 3.5T van around (or a Iveco Daily if the Merc is broken). I've been a Special since 2010 and currently work within the traffic department (it isn't traffic as such, but part of it).
I found out around April time that I have been given this course, along with two other Specials on the team. It's three weeks (normally four, but I'll get onto that bit later) which meant three weeks from the day job. Thankfully they were fantastic and allowed me to swap shifts around to do it.
Around two months before the course we were given a copy of RoadCraft and the Highway Code along with force policy documents and a list of definitions. I'm not going to lie, I hate reading and really struggle with it. I knew we had a theory test but didn't know when this would be, but I wanted to have a understanding of what we were doing before I walked in on day one so read RoadCraft front to back before the course.
Day one was a lot of classroom stuff, eye sight test (have to have the same standard as HGV/Bus drivers) and driving licence checked. We went through the first three chapters of RoadCraft with the instructor on a power point. I don't find this part easy and was a little worried about the rest of the course.
We ended the day with a short drive each to pick another car up for the course. We would be doing it in a unmarked Skoda Octavia VRS. I was first. I had been given tips by friends who were all advanced police drivers. It was small things like hand position on the gear stick and sustained gear changes. I found out that I brake way to early and do a lot of brake gear overlaps when they aren't needed.
For now we were keeping to all speed limits. Later in the course we keep to all 20, 30, 40, 50 speed limits but NSL is as fast as is safe to make progress.
Day two was a bit more classroom work and also going over the vehicle checks. POWDER - Petrol, Oil, Water, Damage, Electrics, Rubber before going out for some practical work.
It was time to practice our braking, a lot of people brake a lot earlier than they need to and drag the brake, we were told how to brake correctly, it took a bit of getting used to. We also had the sustained gear changes. I struggled with this going down the gears throughout the course. I have no idea why. We also got introduced to the 'system' and speed of approach. For those that don't know the 'system' is how we should be driving. It's about being in the right position, at the correct speed, with the correct gear engaged.
Day three started with a bit of classroom work again. We had a bit of homework and had to give three definitions each before going though some power points for system application for junctions and roundabouts. We were then out for some work on minor roads, applying the system and some observation skills.
Day four was again in the classroom to look at cornering and the limit point. I did my Bike Safe course a few years ago so understood this a bit, but again in the books it didn't make any sense. Thankfully I wasn't first today so could sit in the back and watch. It was a bit weird, it just clicked in my head that I could see the limit point. We now had to put all of what we had learnt into the drive.
Day five this was our first full day of driving (I say full day, it would be around two hours a day, hour in the morning, hour after lunch). My trainers notes are as follows...
Good cockpit drill, good tempo, system is becoming evident, gears are good, good intelligent application, appears relaxed and composed behind the wheel with a solid first week with good development evident in all areas.
I enjoyed the first week. I was mentally shattered though. I was falling asleep at 7pm each night. It wasn't enjoyable that I was being told I couldn't drive (in a nice way mind you).
I'll post week two later tonight.
Bigends said:
Lot of classroom work there - we did a lot of that in our own time and were on the road from day one - still remember all of my definitions 35 odd years on
The first couple of days it was just a couple of hours in the morning. On to week two. We are now allowed to make progress in NSL.
Day six was a different shift, we now have to do two night drives and this was our first one. 1400 until 2200. We had a bit in the classroom about it, the basis is you can't see as much so go slower. Can't see road markings, there is no limit point. We also brought in some commentary. I noticed (as did my instructor) that my driving standard dropped when giving commentary, but I didn't find driving in the dark a problem. My braking is still a little early for roundabouts though.
Day seven was dual carriageways and motorways. I very rarely drive on the motorway, so don't have too much experience with them. Overall it went well. My steering is improving, but need to work a bit on my gear changes.
Day eight was a lot of driving. Pretty much just going over what we've covered so far. I still find it hard to trust what I'm seeing. Limit point is moving, no hazard signs around but I'm not making as much progress as I could be. My overtaking needs a bit of work though. And my commentary has improved massively.
Day nine was another day of just driving, nothing new just polishing what we have covered. Tomorrow we have a progress drive. I'm still not trusting what I see. Was a good road for a overtake and I saw a HGV in the distance so didn't overtake. It was plenty of time to make the overtake. Was a bit annoyed about that. I did get a good overtake in off a right hand bend though. Was a confidence boost.
I'm apparently ahead of the learning curve at the moment.
Day ten is our progress drive with a different instructor. It's to see how we are getting on and incase our instructor has missed anything. I'm up first and its weird. We have build a good rapport up with our instructor, but it goes well. It's very foggy so I don't get to do much. Its a 30 minute drive covering 8.5 miles. I'm told that it was safe and to the conditions and was able to show the system most the time and that I'm in a good position for next week.
The plan was to have our first look at response driving (IE with the lights and sirens on), however due to the bad weather it was just the classroom session and some time to revise.
I'll start on week three tomorrow.
Great read OP. Subscribed.anonymous said:
[redacted]
Mixture of rush hour and fog meant there wasn't the chance to go too fast. I think 70 was the fastest it was safe to go. No chance of any overtakes either. Onto week three, our final week. This week covers the response side of things. If you aren't aware we get three exemptions. Speed limits, red lights and keep left/right signs. All others we don't have an exemption for, however, if we can justify it and its safe we can. But if it goes wrong we are f
ked basically. Solid white lines are the biggest problem. They are placed on roads that someone has decided its dangerous to overtake or there has been fatal RTCs. It is a case of being able to read the road and managing the traffic a head. If you know there are solid whites up ahead we need to drop back so the cars in front don't try and be helpful and try to let us pass. If they stop however its OK to overtake (as anyone can overtake parked cars on solid whites). Day 11 was our second night drive. I was last this time, and if I'm honest I'm glad. I've coped well with what we've done so far and happy with where I am, but this part was worrying me. It helped that I went last as I could see what they were doing and what I needed to do for my turn.
Due to the timings my first run was in the dark. My system drive had dropped a bit, but again this could be after a few days off. My first run went well though. However I am braking too early for roundabouts again and also red light junctions. I'm pulling up slowly (which isn't a bad thing!) and then stopping before going through. I should be creeping forward but getting ready to stop if someone hasn't seen me.
My second drive wasn't brilliant. I was going a little too fast into hazards which caused me to go back into bad habits.
I really didn't enjoy today. I've been the passenger in police cars for nearly eight years. I've worked with traffic for three years and used to going fast, blue light runs but when its me doing it its a whole different feeling. I was annoyed that night as I've worked so hard the last two weeks and not really struggled with too much of it.
Day 12 was a much better day. I was a little cautious on some corners still, but the response side went well. I'm getting used to being on the wrong side of the road. It's all about presenting your vehicle. I was thinking I put the offside wheels on the white line is enough, but I need to be driving with my wheels on the other side nearside lines (if that makes sense?). Once I got my head around that it was much better.
My second drive was better as well. My system was consistent and well timed and the second response drive I've become more relaxed and it all flowed well.
I was very pleased after today. It felt like it was all clicking into place.
Day 13 this was our last full day of driving. My start wasn't brilliant and we brought some commentary back in that didn't really flow. But I settled in quickly and gave a good performance. My overtaking is getting better and I'm feeling more confident in it.
My instructor has said that my system driving is consistently at or above the required standard and I appeared composed and relaxed at the wheel.
Day 14 was our theory tests. Three exams covering RoadCraft, the Highway Code and some response questions. I'm not going to lie I was worried about this. I've always done crap in exams (turns out I have dyslexia which was only picked up on last year), we have around 90 minutes for them all. Its 50 questions on RoadCraft, 25 on the Highway Code and ten on the response side.
Pleased to say I passed first time with 98% on RoadCraft. The question I got wrong was a silly mistake of not reading the question correctly. Highway Code I got 96%...the one I got wrong was a complete guess, was to do with how far do you travel at X speed. And the response one was 90%. The one I got wrong was a worded strangely, but once it was explained it all made sense.
Not going to lie I was over the moon at the results. Our instructor was a little worried for us on this side of things, but pleased to say we all passed (I think with the same mark, but we all got different ones wrong ha).
Only time for one drive today, although it was a fairly long one for me. It went brilliantly, it was boring (which is good!). My instructor has said the following.
'Another very solid performance where you have demonstrated system driving to a good standard, you have consistently displayed a strong natural driving ability. Given your ability combined with your composure, I believe you would copy well with further advanced training should the opportunity ever develop. your response is measure, considered and safe'
I'm not going to lie that felt amazing to read that. The bit I'm most pleased about is being recommended for advanced. Although I know this will never happen as a Special (there are only nine Specials in the Force who have the standard course as it is). I want to join the regulars (interview next week) and my aim is to join traffic (or the team I'm on now). To be able to apply you have to either be an advanced driver or be recommended for one.
Day 15 is the big day...our final drive. Although it shouldn't really be called that. It's more of a check drive. I have already shown I am at the required standard, this is just to get another instructors view as well. It isn't the same person who did our progress drive the week before. Its a lot different as before there has been three others in the car having a joke and a laugh, but this time its silence other than directions. I didn't like it at all.
I was second up. I was fine until around 20 minutes before I was due to go out and was stupidly nervous. Four trips to the toilet for a piss, pacing up and down. Sweating loads. It was stupid because I knew I could do it.
We started with the cockpit drill. This is checking the handbrake is applied, the car is in neutral. The seat, head rest, mirrors, steering wheel are all adjusted for me. Doors are all closed and flush, seat belt is on and checking my passengers have theirs on. Static brake check (pump the brake, turn engine on and feel pedal move away). Check all lights go off and then ask if they want a moving brake test completed. I was told I could if I wanted to, but the area I was in wasn't too good so decided not to.
The drive would last around 45 minutes. Would cover normal driving, response driving and some commentary. Plated limits had to be kept to, but NSL I could make progress if it was safe to do so.
I knew the roads around the station reasonably well, so knew where there would be a chance for a overtake which helped.
Got to a NSL area and got into the follow position of the vehicle in front. They were driving at 60MPH. I was looking for an overtake but I wasn't 100% sure about one. I was getting a little annoyed because I thought I saw the chance but didn't take it.
I was told in a mile we would be turning right. We came off a slight right hand bend and I could see it was clear. I did a mirror check, signalled and started to pull out. Then I saw the junction on the nearside. I aborted the overtake and was annoyed that I missed the junction. I was trying to see if the instructor was writing anything down.
I took the right and down a horrible road with crappy sunlight directly in my eyes bouncing of the wet road. However got a two vehicle overtake in. I was pleased at that.
We continued around some roads until we got to one of my favourite roads in Dorset. Wimborne to Cramborne for anyone local. I know it well as I come down it on my bike fairly often. I also know there are very few places to overtake.
Around a mile before Wimborne I'm told when I'm ready to go into response mode. Blue lights go on and sirens also. I'm managing the other traffic well, giving them time to see me and making sure it's safe to overtake them. It isn't the fastest drive ever.
Into Wimborne and theres a bit of traffic. Presenting my vehicle well and making sure everyone has seen me and reacted to me before overtaking again. Then its onto the A31. This went well I felt. Everyone was moving nicely out of my way.
Was told to head back into Wimborne and come off response. I knew that we would be heading back to the nick now and also knew what way it would be which was good.
I did my commentary, which I didn't enjoy at all. Felt it wasn't as good as it could have been. Got held up behind a cyclist on a NSL. Car in front squeezed pass. I held back, made sure it was safe and overtook on the other side of the road. I saw the instructor write something down...started worrying thinking I've f
ked it up as it was near a junction (I could see 100% it was clear). Got another overtake in and back to the station.
It was around 55 minutes and 30 miles driven.
Pleased to say I passed with zero minors. We were allowed ten and zero serious or dangerous marks.
The assessors comments were 'LosingGrip demonstrated a very good system and response drive, with good planning and anticipation show throughout. Response driving showed a good tempo with restraint demonstrated when required which allowed other road users time to react with safety margins always maintained'
It was a tough three weeks, but I loved it. I've learnt so much and it is a skill for life. Pleased to say that the others also passed as well.
It's amazing to see how far we've come. From our first drive on day one, to us on blue lights on day 15.
As I've said it was meant to be a four week course. Week four is the pursuit side of things. I'm not 100% sure why this wasn't offered to us yet, but I don't think I could get four weeks off work anyway, plus with all thats going on in the news at the moment with officers in court after a pursuit I'm not 100% I would want it as a Special.
We've got two days in December for stinger training and fast roads (allows us to close roads over 40MPH) which will be good. Thankfully it works out well with work as don't think I'd get away with anymore time off.
Fantastic write up, I did police up in Northumbria and later privately did an instructors course and still do a spot of basic training in Africa, a challenge adapting the system to chaotic traffic conditions! Well done and it's a real eye opener isn't it - you can now play 'spot the advanced driver' but remember the last chapter and don't get over confident!
Well done again; be safe and smooth and thanks for the contribution.
Well done again; be safe and smooth and thanks for the contribution.
R0G said:
Do you wish you had gone to the IAM or ROSPA first so as to get a 'leg up' beforehand ?
I've always wanted to do either IAM or ROSPA but never got around to it. I'm sure it would have helped, but what I liked was it was three weeks of constant learning. With IAM/ROSPA it would be as and when over months. andy_s said:
Fantastic write up, I did police up in Northumbria and later privately did an instructors course and still do a spot of basic training in Africa, a challenge adapting the system to chaotic traffic conditions! Well done and it's a real eye opener isn't it - you can now play 'spot the advanced driver' but remember the last chapter and don't get over confident!
Well done again; be safe and smooth and thanks for the contribution.
Apparently the first six months is when we are most likely to crash. Well done again; be safe and smooth and thanks for the contribution.
TooMany2cvs said:
Really interesting stuff - didn't know that Specials did traffic stuff, especially response.
We are extremely lucky down here. Most Specials work on response or NPT/SNT, we have a team of six on this department plus I think three others on traffic. I'm one of nine standard trained drivers out of 150ish Specials. We've had a fair bit of training over the years. One Special is an advanced biker. I'm Drug Wipe trained, Field Impairment Trained, PNC trained, Intox and speed laser trained and have been told I can be trained in VASCAR now. But on the other hand I've given up a lot over the years. I average 120 hours a month when we only have to do 200 a year and take on a lot of work (I have had eight drug drivers on bail over the last month, do the whole thing from arrest to getting them to court).
gavsdavs said:
Good to read, cheers for writing up. You lucky b*stard 
I know I'm lucky. Very lucky indeed. Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff