RESIDENTS have told of their fury at frontline police officers and staff being taught basic human interaction skills at the taxpayers’ expense.

Last week, we reported how Hertfordshire Constabulary had sent its employees on a five-hour emotional survival training course – teaching officers and staff how to socialise and exercise outside of work, as well as develop non-work related hobbies.

A WGC pensioner, who worked for the constabulary for nearly 30 years, told the Welwyn Hatfield Times she was “furious” at the ‘learning to cope’ course.

The 84-year-old, who did not wish to be named, fumed: “I think it’s outrageous, dreadful; a total waste of money.

“I worked for the police for 27 years and it seems to me they are being treated like ballet dancers now.

“They used to be tough cookies, and if they could not cope [with the workload] they would be out.”

She added: “It is a waste of money; it’s like throwing money down the drain.

“It’s just crazy. I think that former policemen will be laughing [at the introduction of the course].

“There was a lot of discipline in those days, and I think things have deteriorated rapidly.”

Another resident, a 34-year-old man, of Howardsgate, WGC, said he was livid when he first read about the course in the Welwyn Hatfield Times.

“It is absolutely outrageous.

“Shouldn’t the police be thinking about tackling crime rather than learning how to socialise after work?

“The course is just a complete waste of public money and an insult to us taxpayers.”