A group of student constables underwent basic training in road traffic collision procedures today (Wednesday 31st March).

Training went ahead despite freezing conditions to enable eight trainees to experience realistic crash conditions.

The day-long simulation was staged at Douglas Fire Station and involved personnel from the ambulance service, IoM Fire and Rescue Service and the Roads Policing Unit.

Tutor PC Steve Tate explained, "I was in the Roads Policing Unit for 11 years and certainly, having experienced it for real, it’s beneficial to get the chance to experience it in a controlled environment.

"The demonstration is as close to real life as possible and student officers deal with it in pairs, as they would on operational patrol.

"We also touch on the investigation and what the marks on the road tell us.  All three emergency services have a vital role to play.

"These are busy scenes with a lot of noise because of the cutting equipment the Fire Service uses, and the generators that power their equipment. 

"The practical training that we’re able to do is an excellent opportunity to experience this kind of incident in a controlled environment so they won’t be overawed at a genuine incident in the future."

Station Officer Nigel Fraser (Fire Service) said, "It is imperative that we work in unison with the other services so we can perform our duties to a professional high standard.

"This kind of exercise gives a clearer understanding to the student officers of interagency working, reinforcing the protocols we all work to in this type of environment."

Sergeant Dave Dobbie, of the Roads Policing Unit, added, "As response officers, these trainee officers could quite easily find themselves first on scene of a serious or fatal road traffic collision.

"With the assistance of partner agencies, we are able to provide comprehensive training in the roles of the respective emergency services and that prepares them for instances like this."

The 2010 intake of student officers are in week 12 of their 17 week initial training, which involves both theory and practical work experience.

They undergo extensive training and study over a two-year long probationary period, during which they work towards a new foundation degree in policing, in conjunction with the Isle of Man College.