professional police driver pro 13 11 17.pdf

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Professional Police Driver Programme
(PPDP)
Summary
Introduction
Police introduced the Professional Police Driver Programme (PPDP ()) in 2004 to:
• ensure Police employees (employees) and public safety when driving
• develop a professional driving culture
• formally recognise employee driving ability
• enhance public confidence in the driving conduct of Police
• reduce the number and severity of Police vehicle crashes, and
• to comply with the requirements of ACC () Workplace Safety Management
Practices and Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
Principles
PPDP () principles are to:
• address driving related risks requiring systematic and ongoing management, i.e.,
culpable driving incident or poorly managed/driven pursuit of a fleeing driver
• deploy drivers and vehicles according to their capabilities, and
• ensure professionalism in Police driving and decision making skills.
Driver classifications
Police employees can gain a Gold, Silver, Bronze or employee driver classification that
permits them to undertake different driving situations. These classifications can
change at the direction of:
• a Professional Driving Panel in considering an incident or driving assessment, or
• a driver's supervisor or manager who may reduce the driver classification to
minimise any health and safety risks until a PDP () is convened.
Professional Driving Panels
Each district and the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC ()) must have a
Professional Driving Panel (PDP) to assess driving incidents that occur in 'their' area.
In cases where a service centre driver is being assessed in a district, the service centre
manager must be on the PDP for that particular assessment.
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Purpose
Police seek to provide a safe working environment for all its employees and members of
the public.
This chapter:
• applies to all employees that drive Police vehicles; and
• should be read in conjunction with the 'Police vehicle management', 'Fleeing
driver policy', and 'Urgent duty driving' chapters.
More information
For more information on the PPDP () and other Police driving related issues contact
the Practice Leader: Road Policing, at the RNZPC ().
Driver assessments
Who must have an assessment?
The PPDP () assessment programme, applies to all constables and authorised officers.
Other employees are considered competent to drive a Police vehicle under normal
conditions if they hold a valid driver licence. However, District Commanders or Service
Centre Managers may nominate any employee (including those who are not constables
or authorised officers) for assessment as and when required.
Assessment periods
This table outlines the re-assessment periods for specific response groups.
Re-assessment period
Response group
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Re-assessment period
Response group
Three Years
General Duties
Rural Policing
Team Policing
Dog Section
Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit
Highway Patrol
Motorways Group
Strategic Traffic Unit
Traffic Alcohol Group
Five Years
Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB ())
Law Enforcement Team
Uniform Attachment to CIB ()
Area Commander/OC () Station
Community Policing
Court/Escort
Family Violence
Forensics/Scene of Crime Officers
Operations Support
Specialist Teams
Surveillance
Diplomatic Protection Squad
Youth Services
No regular re-assessment is required, unless an employee transfers or moves into a
response group listed in the table above.
Once an initial PPDP () assessment has been completed, PeopleSoft will show a Bronze
driver classification (without an expiry date) and a Gold or Silver level if attained.
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Note: When a Gold or Silver driver classification expires, it reverts to a Bronze
classification until the driver has been reassessed. This could impact on their
operational capabilities.
Important: Constables and authorised officers who have not had an initial
assessment cannot drive a Police vehicle (Refer to Appendix one for the assessment
and classification process).
Recruit graduation requirements
Recruits undergo assessment as part of driver training at the RNZPC (), and must
achieve a Silver classification in order to graduate. However, in cases where recruits
have otherwise met all the standards, the National Manager: Training and
Development, in consultation with the recruits' District Commanders may allow
recruits to graduate with a Bronze classification. Recruits then must achieve a Silver
classification in district under an assessment and training plan as soon as practicable.
Note: Silver is the maximum classification attainable by recruits.
Failure to gain required classification
Where an employee does not gain a classification after an assessment, or does not gain
the classification they sought, the PPDP assessor must advise them what is required to
gain the classification - refer to Appendix one.
Driving assessment appeals
Employees may appeal the result of a driving assessment by written submission
through their supervisor or district PPDP () assessor for the Practice Leader: Road
Policing to moderate - refer to Appendix one.
The appealing employee must be notified of the outcome of the appeal (whether or not
the appeal is upheld) with reasons for the conclusion within 14 days of the appeal
decision. If the appeal is not upheld, the original assessment outcome stands.
Driver Classification System
Driver classification
The PPDP () provides for Gold, Silver and Bronze classifications which end on:
• the re-assessment period expiry date
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• the suspension or lapse of a driver licence or driver classification,
or
• on disqualification from driving.
See the process map in Appendix one.
Driver Classification System
This table outlines the criteria and restrictions for Police drivers.
Fleeing UDD
Criteria
Driver
()
Restrictions*
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Fleeing UDD
Criteria
Driver
()
Restrictions*
Gold
✔
✔
Duties or vehicles requiring
specific training or other
To attain a Gold classification,
classification, such as
an employee must:
motorcycles.
• complete the Fleeing Driver
training package
• meet Gold level competency
requirements and any
provisional requirements
during driver assessment,
including demonstrating the
knowledge, skills and
attitude required to pursue a
fleeing driver
• have a driving record of 12
months considered by a PDP
() to be free from incidents
where they were at fault, or
where any issues of driving
conduct are deemed to have
been satisfactorily addressed
• be recommended for Gold
classification by a PPDP ()
assessor
• hold a full New Zealand
driver licence appropriate to
the type of vehicle driven.
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Fleeing UDD
Criteria
Driver
()
Restrictions*
Silver
✘
✔
An employee holding a
Silver classification must
To attain a Silver classification,
not pursue a fleeing driver
an employee must:
unless a Gold driver
• meet Silver level competency
provides direct supervision,
requirements and any
or in exceptional
provisional requirements
circumstances.
during driver assessment
Communications
• have a driving record of 6
controllers must replace
months which is considered
employees holding a Silver
by a PDP () to either be free
classification who are
from incidents where they
pursuing a fleeing driver as
were at fault, or where any
soon as a Gold classified
issues of driving conduct are
driver is available.
deemed to have been
satisfactorily addressed
Duties or vehicles requiring
• be recommended for Silver
specific training or other
classification by a PPDP ()
classification, such as
assessor (or Driver Trainer)
motorcycles.
• hold a full New Zealand
driver licence appropriate to
the type of vehicle driven.
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Fleeing UDD
Criteria
Driver
()
Restrictions*
Bronze
✘
✘
An employee holding a
Bronze classification must
To attain a Bronze
not undertake urgent duty
classification, an employee
driving unless a Gold
must:
driver provides direct
• meet Bronze level
supervision or in
competency requirements
exceptional circumstances.
and any provisional
An employee holding a
requirements during driver
Bronze classification must
assessment
not pursue a fleeing driver.
• be recommended for Bronze
classification by a PPDP ()
Duties or vehicles requiring
assessor (or Driver Trainer)
specific training or other
• hold a full New Zealand
classification, such as
driver licence appropriate to
motorcycles.
the type of vehicle driven.
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Fleeing UDD
Criteria
Driver
()
Restrictions*
Police Employee
✘
✘
Employees who are not
constables or authorised
Employees who are not constables
officers must drive a Police
or authorised officers must:
vehicle according to the
• be nominated for
normal conditions of their
classification by a District
driver licence.
Commander or National
Duties or vehicles requiring
Manager
specific training or other
• be recommended for a Police
classification.
employee classification by a
PPDP () assessor (or driver
trainer)
• meet competency
requirements and any
provisional requirements
during driver assessment
• hold a full NZ driver licence
appropriate to the type of
vehicle driven.
Special vehicle requirements
In addition to obtaining an appropriate licence (if required), drivers and riders are
required to have successfully completed an approved driving qualification course
before driving vehicles requiring specific training, ie, motorcycles.
In situations where there is a threat to public or employee safety and no other vehicle is
available, employees may drive vehicles for which they are not classified but for which
they hold a current driver's licence. Employees must report these incidents to their
supervisor and the relevant PDP ().
Refer to the 'Police vehicle management' chapter.
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Police 4 wheel drive operation
Operating 4 wheel drive (4WD) vehicles off-road can be a high risk activity that
requires specialist skills. Employees operating 4WD vehicles without such skills pose a
risk to themselves and members of the public. Employees should not operate 4WD
vehicles off-road unless they have successfully completed a 4WD course.
Employees who require off-road 4WD driver training must seek approval to attend a
Police approved 4WD course from their supervisor. The supervisor must identify an
appropriate course in line with the Police Four Wheel Drive Operation training and
assessment programme for course requirements.
Note: Operation of a vehicle winch is not covered by the 4WD programme and
tuition should be sought due to the severe consequences of misuse.
PPDP roles and responsibilities
This table outlines the roles and responsibilities under the PPDP ().
Roles
Responsibilities
Police drivers
• Comply with the law, Police Instructions and drive
(constables,
in a manner that ensures public and employee safety
authorised officers
when driving a Police vehicle.
and other
• Ensure their PPDP () driver classification remains
employees)
current and valid for their role in consultation with
their supervisor.
• Report driving incidents, such as a near miss, non-
compliant pursuit or crashes to your manager or
supervisor.
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Roles
Responsibilities
Managers and
• Deploy drivers to duties based on their PPDP ()
supervisors
classification and capabilities.
• Ensure driver classifications are current.
• Manage employee performance relating to driving
behaviour.
• Identify and manage health and safety risks to
employees. This may include an immediate
reduction in PPDP () driver classification until a
PDP () is convened, by completing a POL1185 and
POL1190, if required.
• Report policy breaches to their supervisor.
• Investigate and report driving incidents, such as a
near miss, non-compliant pursuit or crashes
involving Police vehicles to their PDP ().
• Provide advice and support to District Commanders
and Service Centre Managers on driving issues.
• In serious cases, such as a serious injury or fatality,
a manager or supervisor may temporarily suspend
an employee from driving, or place restrictions on
their driving.
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Roles
Responsibilities
PPDP ()Assessor
• Conduct driver assessments.
• Assign driver classifications.
• Deliver targeted training and guidance to drivers in
accordance with national policies approved by the
executive.
• Maintain records in relation to driver assessment
and training.
• Contribute to the development and implementation
of driving related training, policies, procedures, and
other documents where required.
• Member of their district PDP ().
• Advise the Practice Leader: Road Policing, PDPs,
District Commanders and National Managers on
driving related issues.
Driver Training Unit
• Assist in the maintenance of the PPDP ().
• Provide appropriate training to recruits and assist in
the development and delivery of driver training.
• Assess recruit driving and assign classifications.
• Contribute to the development and implementation
of driving related training, policies, procedures and
other documents where required.
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Roles
Responsibilities
Professional Driving
• Consider matters of driver capability or behaviour
Panel (PDP ())
for their district (except recruits and employees of
the RNZPC () who have their own PDP ()).
• Determine PPDP () assessment and training
requirements following incident notification, such
as an offence, complaint or crash, in consultation
with the driver, their supervisor and/or manager.
• Conduct regular PDP () meetings for prompt
resolution of any potential issues to meet good
employer obligations, e.g., mitigation of any health
and safety risks to employees and public.
• Adjust driver classifications up to reflect
professional driving skills operationally
demonstrated or assessed.
• Adjust driver classifications down to mitigate any
risks or health and safety issues until reassessment
and/or training is completed.
• Seek moderation of PDP outcomes from the Practice
Leader: Road Policing to ensure national
consistency.
• Supply the Practice Leader: Road Policing minutes
of all PDP () meetings and outcomes.
• Notifying the Practice Leader: Road Policing of any
issues that need escalation, eg, matters relating to
PPDP () policy, equipment, or legislation or other
policies such as fleeing driver, urgent duty driving.
• Advise appropriate Police personnel of issues
potentially requiring further consideration that are
outside of the PDPs remit.
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Roles
Responsibilities
District
• Govern the PPDP () in their district/service centre
Commanders and
in line with this policy.
Service Centre
• Ensure employees comply with the requirements of
Managers
the PPDP ().
• Consider appeals from employees in regard to
classifications and action following crashes or other
incidents.
• Determine whether their authorised officers
warranted by the Commissioner under section 208
of the Land Transport Act 1998, may apply for
Bronze, Silver, or Gold classifications, or
alternatively, will be restricted to the classification
of employees without constabulary powers.
• Consider whether an employee (who is not a
constable or authorised officer) requires
classification.
• Raise issues with the Practice Leader: Road
Policing.
• Delegate any of their responsibilities set out in this
chapter, with the exception of considering appeals.
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Roles
Responsibilities
Practice Leader:
• Implement and manage the programme of
Road Policing
assessment and targeted training.
• Coordinate activities of the PPDP () assessors.
• Consider driver assessment appeals.
• Moderate the PPDP to promote national
consistency.
• Moderate PDP () decisions and outcomes via direct
request from the PDP chair and PDP meeting
minutes.
• Monitor driver training records to ensure they are
complete and accurate.
• Provide support to the Driver Training Unit.
• Contribute to the development and implementation
of driving related training, policies, procedures, and
other documents.
• Escalate issues to the Head of School (HoS):
Prevention as required.
• Liase, advise and support PDPs, District
Commanders and Service Centre Managers.
• Collect and collate driving related information and
statistics, and present these to District Commanders
and Service Centre Managers.
Professional Driving Panel
A Professional Driving Panel (PDP ()) has been established in each Police district and
at the RNZPC (). Their role is to determine assessment and training requirements for
all employees involved in Police vehicle driving incidents, in-line with the
principles and aims of the PPDP (). Issues to be considered may include driving
conduct, driving capability, or driving behaviour.
This panel may be part of a larger district committee dealing with other matters.
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Dealing with issues of capability or behaviour
Managers and supervisors must refer all issues involving driver capability or behaviour
to the appropriate PDP. This may involve unsafe or unprofessional driving behaviour
or inappropriate decision making - see Appendix two.
In serious cases, such as an injury, fatality or serious health and safety concerns, a
manager or supervisor may temporarily suspend an employee from driving a Police
vehicle, or place restrictions on their driving.
PDP action versus other proceedings
PDP () action is separate from any legal and/or Code of Conduct (CoC)
proceedings that may be relevant in each case. PDP incident assessment and training
requirements may take place concurrently, with or in addition to, any other
proceedings.
Note: The PDP () is not responsible for investigating incidents for the purpose of
instigating legal or CoC proceedings that may be relevant in each case.
District PDP assessment and training decisions
District PDP () assessment and training decisions must be decided by:
• the District Road Policing Manager (chair) or in their absence a relieving RPM ()
• the PPDP () assessor, or if they are unavailable a suitable substitute such as an
O/C STU () or Highway Patrol may be utilised and
• an employee/s, appointed at the discretion of the District Commander, i.e. Health
and Safety representative or district training coordinator.
Driver assessment and training decisions must not be made by:
• a Professional Standards Manager,
or
• an Employee Practice Manager.
Driving incidents that occur outside of District
Employees involved in driving incidents outside of their District will be considered by
their own District PDP. Local employees must complete all required incident reports
(complying with Police Instructions) before transferring the file to the relevant Area
Commander for consideration - see Appendix three.
RNZPC PDP membership
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Membership of the RNZPC () PDP () must comprise of:
• the Head of School: Prevention or in their absence a relieving HoS
• a PPDP () assessor from the Driver Training Unit, and
• an employee/s at the discretion of the National Manager: Training and
Development.
Driving incidents at the RNZPC
Employees attending a RNZPC () course will have driving incidents considered by their
own District PDP. The Supervising Instructor, Driver Training, RNZPC will complete
and collate all required incident reports (complying with General Instructions) before
forwarding to the Head of School: Prevention. After review the file will be forwarded to
the officer's Area Commander and PDP chair - see Appendix three.
While at the RNZPC, the Inspector in charge of the course is the officer's supervisor.
Therefore, they can make immediate driver classification changes as required to ensure
Health and Safety obligations are met.
Note: recruit issues are considered by the RNZPC () PDP (). If the recruit is
transferred or qualifies, the new District PDP will complete their assessment and
training requirements.
Incident criteria guidelines
Refer to Incident criteria - see Appendix two.
Incident management
A PDP () must manage incidents in line with approved notification processes and
forms -see Appendix three.
Incident review considerations
A PDP () should consider as part of an incident review the:
• circumstances of the incident
• severity of any incident, including actual harm and potential risks
• driver's experience, history, and length of operational service
• shift patterns and travelling requirements
• likelihood of the incident recurring
• occupational safety and health requirements
• the manager or supervisor's recommendation.
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Recommended action
Where any action is recommended, it must be discussed with the employee and their
supervisor/manager, and should include one or more of the following actions:
• a training and/or development plan
• a reduction of driver classification if training and/or development is not sufficient
and/or
• suspension of driver classification.
Where possible, any recommended action must be consistent with occupational safety
and health, and Code of Conduct requirements.
Any employee facing a reduction or suspension of their driver classification must be
given the opportunity to explain and defend their actions.
Appealing a PDP decision
Employees may appeal a PDP () decision by written submission setting out the basis of
the appeal to their District Commander, with hearings in person at the request of the
employee of the District Commander. A copy of the appeal must also be submitted to
the Practice Leader: Road Policing by the employee.
The District Commander must:
• consider the appeal with a hearing in person if requested
• uphold, decline or seek further testimony or advice
• advise the employee the outcome in writing, with a copy to the Practice Leader:
Road Policing.
The Practice Leader: Road Policing must:
• note the lodging of the initial appeal
• provide advice to the district commander to promote national consistency
• update driving records if required subsequent to the appeal.
Appendix one - Assessment and classification
process
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Appendix two - Incident criteria
This table details incident criteria and the required follow-up action.
Incident criteria
Action
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Incident criteria
Action
Unsafe driving behaviour
Driving capability issues requiring
upskilling and/or further knowledge
Driving conduct resulting in a crash or managed by tutorial action (Assessment
other incident.
and training plan).
Driving history matters required to be
Appropriate driver classification.
declared for Silver and Gold
classifications as per PPDP () policy.
Insufficient skill
Tutorial action (Assessment and training
plan).
Driving capability issues requiring
upskilling.
Appropriate driver classification.
Inappropriate decision making
Tutorial action (Assessment and training
plan).
Driving capability or behaviour issues
requiring upskilling and/or further
Appropriate driver classification.
knowledge.
Poor driving attitude
Tutorial action (Assessment and training
plan).
Appropriate driver classification.
Failure to comply with driving
Tutorial action (Assessment and training
policy or lawful orders
plan).
Driving capability or behaviour issues
Appropriate driver classification.
requiring upskilling and/or further
knowledge.
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Incident criteria
Action
Issues considered outside the
Advise the notifier the incident is
training and assessment scope
considered out of scope.
Appendix three - Incident management process
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Approved notification processes and forms
PDP () forms/purpose
Responsibility/action
Initial notification to driver
PDP () chair.
(POL1185)
Manager or Supervisor.
Advises driver that incident is
being considered by PDP ().
PPDP driver classification
PDP () chair, Practice Leader: Road Policing.
change - driver notification
The supervisor/manager may temporarily
(POL1190)
decrease the driver classification until a PDP
has convened and assessed the incident.
Advises driver and RNZPC () that
driver classification has changed.
This could be an 'increase or
decrease' in driver rating.
Formal panel notification to
PDP () chair and PPDP () assessor.
driver (POL1195)
Agreed assessment and training
plan and outcome.
These forms are available from Police forms in Microsoft® Word, under Road Policing.
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