OPERATION BRIDGE - Cumbria Constabulary

GPMS RESTRICTED
drove through a red traffic light. He was seen to stop in a gateway on
the roadside adjacent to the Red Admiral Public House.
8.166 At 11:15 hrs the Police helicopter from Lancashire was still making
their way to the area to assist. Their progress had been frustrated by
the low cloud that was present that day, as evidenced by the
following extract from the helicopter communications log:
02/06/2010 11:15:18 ON 99 still 8 minutes from Egremont ‘er still
struggling with cloud just an update on what’s
happened, just to give us an idea of how high we
need to be
8.167 At 11:19 hrs the Tactical Advisor to the Tactical Firearms
Commander had identified that no firearms command decisions had
been given to any of the armed officers that had been deployed.
02/06/2010 11:19:11 All patrols stand by from FIM speaking to TAC
advisor, the tactics as soon as we sight him are
level one enforce stop using two ARVS. Level one
enforced stop two ARVS engage immediately.
8.168 At this time, almost an hour had passed since the authority to deploy
armed police officers had been given; the tactical option of a “level 1
enforced stop” was communicated to the ARVs.
8.169 This is a specific tactic that all ARVs would understand and would
ensure that any patrol that saw Derrick BIRD driving his vehicle would
have a clear understanding of the tactical approach recommended to
stop him.
8.170 At the same time, all officers were informed of the fact that Derrick
BIRD could be ‘emotionally or mentally distressed’, (terminology used
by firearms officers to describe an individual who may be suffering
from mental ill health or could be acting irrationally owing to a
distressing episode), and that due consideration should be given to
this fact.
8.171 Reminding the ARVs of the various reasons why someone is
behaving in a certain way is very important as it may influence the
way in which they would approach or communicate with the subject
should any contact occur.
8.172 It is essential that where information is held, that it is shared with the
Operational Firearms Commanders and ARVs.
THIS REPORT IS EMBARGOED
UNTIL 4PM MONDAY 28 TH MARCH 2011
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