OPERATION BRIDGE - Cumbria Constabulary

GPMS RESTRICTED
3.53 Observation 13: That Cumbria Constabulary consider raising the
subject of call signs with the ACPO Lead for Airwave
Communications. If the UK were to adopt a national call sign
structure for specialist roles, any patrol deployed on mutual aid would
be immediately recognised.
(This would be particularly useful for PSU’s, Dog Handlers, DVI
Teams, Negotiators, Search Teams and Firearms Officers).
3.54 Observation 14: Cumbria Constabulary may wish to re-examine the
standard operating procedures and interoperability between the
various organisations that provide air support within Cumbria.
3.55 The difficulties that were presented with the use of the helicopters
were not unique to the police service. Their primary use was casualty
evacuation and therefore the Ambulance Service should play a
pivotal role.
3.56 Visibility for the staff within the various helicopters was particularly
poor on the 2nd June 2010. The low cloud made flying particularly
difficult. The crews of each of the aircraft should be commended for
their perseverance.
3.57 Observation 15: That Cumbria Constabulary take the opportunity to
reassess its position with regards to the overt carriage of firearms by
its ARV crews.
3.58 Recommendation 1: That Cumbria Constabulary review its policy
with regard to the deployment of ARVs, with emphasis on the
challenge presented by geography and the road network.
3.59 Recommendation 2: That Cumbria Constabulary considers access
to intelligence resources during weekends and evenings. The
provision of an intelligence capability within the force control room on
a 24/7 basis is achieved within many forces and could benefit
Cumbria.
3.60 Recommendation 3: That Cumbria Constabulary nominate an
Operational Firearms Commander at the start of each tour of duty.
3.61 Recommendation 4: That Cumbria Constabulary convert the
existing Gold Command Suite, at Force Headquarters, into a fully
functioning Command Suite suitable for a Tactical Firearms
Commander to take command of a firearms operation.
3.62 Recommendation 5: That the CNC adopt the full range of firearms
tactical options as used by the Home Office forces nationally. That
they also adopt the same glossary of terms that are used to describe
this tactic to facilitate an effective interoperability.
THIS REPORT IS EMBARGOED
UNTIL 4PM MONDAY 28 TH MARCH 2011
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