Police pledge on helping people with learning disabilities

The announcement coincides with a new commitment to support those with learning disabilities, which will be formalised when Chief Constable Tim Hollis signs the Mencap Stand By Me Police Promise tomorrow. The promise consists of 10 key points aimed at ensuring that the force delivers a quality service to some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

Mr Hollis said: “Humberside Police officers and staff have been working with Mencap and other learning disability groups for many years, and by signing this promise we are cementing this relationship and demonstrating our continued commitment to those groups and the individuals they support.”

The training programme is designed to enhance understanding of law and procedures and better equip staff to communicate with people with learning disabilities, and help distinguish between this and mental ill health.

The chief constable added: “Many of the aspects of the promise are part of everyday policing which we have been working on for many years, others focus specifically on those with learning disabilities and their families and carers.

“We look forward to working with the public in implementing the Mencap promise and providing an improved level of service which will contribute to stamping out hate crime in the Humberside Police area.”

The pledges include: gathering better evidence and increasing the possibility of convictions by allowing more time for interviews, especially if the victim has difficulty communicating; understanding how to identify if someone has a learning disability; and challenging discriminatory attitudes and language among colleagues.