When I joined in 1980, we had about half a day looking at the use of the truncheon (useless) the handcuffs (barely adequate) and a very optomistic lesson about how to disarm someone who was holding you at gunpoint (hmm!).
Matt's course was a refresher, which all our operational staff take every year. It covered "tactical communications" ie using verbal commands to keep safe, the basic use of force, the "Casco" extendable baton, "Pavo" pepper spray, "quickcuff" handcuffs and the law relating to all of this. Our officers have the ability to use a wide range of kit and if need be are backed up by tazar, firearms and other "less lethal" options. While we have all this kit the Bristish police are still, almost uniquely, an unarmed force while on regular patrol. If officers do use their personal protection equipment, they need to be able to explain why they chose to do so. The course equips them to use it and rationalise it. I was so impressed I have asked Matt to do an entry here to explain the philosophy of our current stance on such equipment.
Doing the course reminded me of a shocking knife attack on one of our officers from Torbay. The case was dealt with in court last year. I have put the story from the BBC and video from youtube below. It goes to show why our staff do need goo training to keep themselves and the public safe.
Man detained after stab attempt
The attack happened at a police custody room after Jason Lord, 21, of no fixed address, was arrested for carrying a samurai sword in Paignton.
Lord pleaded not guilty to attempted murder but admitted attempted wounding with intent at Exeter Crown Court.
Judge Graham Cottle described it as a "potentially murderous attack".
Lord was arrested after he was knocked down during a cycle race in Paignton and police officers who went to his aid found the sword.
'Tragedy prevented'
Exeter Crown Court was shown video footage of Lord pulling out the 6in knife in the police custody room and trying to attack Pc Jonathan Croft in the neck.
That knife would have been in the officer's neck had it not been for his incredibly quick reactions and those of his colleagues 
Pc Croft grabbed his arm and two colleagues, one of whom leapt over a counter, overpowered and disarmed him.
Judge Cottle said: "That knife would have been in the officer's neck had it not been for his incredibly quick reactions and those of his colleagues.
"They saved a tragedy from happening."
When interviewed Lord said he did not intend to kill or injure the officer and was trying to show him the knife.
Drug problem
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Adrian James said Lord was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and had shown a considerable improvement since being admitted to the Butler Clinic at Langdon Hospital.
He was made the subject of a section 37 order under the Mental Health Act with a section 41 order, detaining him without limit as to time.
The court heard Lord had a serious drug problem but was being treated with anti-psychotic medication and would continue that treatment under the hospital order.
Prosecutor Malcolm Galloway said when Lord was arrested and relieved of the sword he told officers that he did not have anything else with him that could harm them or himself.
He was taken to the police station and during the routine search, suddenly pulled out the knife.
The video showed that Lord was calm as he was being searched but as PC Croft stepped behind him he pulled out the knife and tried to stab the officer in the neck.
