D0400 Policy - Critical Incidents

Number: D0400
Date Published: 5 February 2021
Version 8 - February 2021

1.0 Summary of Changes

This policy has been updated on its yearly review as follows:

• Includes reference and link to the new Essex Police Plan 2020/21;
• Further comment regarding assessment of incidents by Commanders in section 2.0;
• Details of recent consultation;
• EIA linked and new paragraph added re protected groups;
• Ownership updated to current Contact Management Command Team;

2.0 What this Policy is About

The aim of this policy is to ensure that Essex Police fulfils its obligations in terms of the management and prevention of critical incidents.

This policy will provide a clear framework enabling police officers and staff to consistently and effectively deal with critical incidents at the earliest opportunity.

Essex Police is committed to helping those in need, reducing and detecting crime, and bringing offenders to justice.

The investigation and resolution of critical incidents is recognised as a priority which presents a significant impact upon the communities of Essex.

Essex Police has a duty to respond to every incident in the right way, first time, every time and at every level.

In practice, this means Essex Police will ensure that officers and staff are capable of delivering a coordinated, appropriately resourced, consistent and proportionate response.

It is not just a specific type of incident that can have a significant impact on the victim, their family and/or community. There can also be particular factors in any type of incident which will increase its impact.

Some examples of the type of incident that may, by their very nature, have a higher potential to escalate into a critical incident are:

• Suspicious, unexplained deaths;
• Homicides;
• Incidents requiring a police firearms response;
• Vulnerable persons missing from home;
• Domestic violence;
• Serious sexual offences;
• Hate crimes motivated by race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability, age or affecting other protected characteristics;
• Crimes involving particularly vulnerable or young victims;
• Linked series crime, especially where it is directed at a single victim or community (this may include level 1, 2 or 3 crime);
• Crimes involving high-profile victims or offenders;
• Crimes where a police officer is suspected of committing the offence;
• Incidents where the police may be responsible for the death or serious injury of the victim or offender;
• Incidents which attract high-profile media attention.

This list is not prescriptive or exhaustive.

It is essential that officers understand why critical incidents develop.

In doing so, the force can identify relevant incidents within the Essex Police district and prepare for critical incidents by building resources and resilience into everyday policing.

Commanders should consider carefully the impact that such an incident can have on various communities. At times an incident could disproportionally impact a particular group(s).

We have a network of community contacts that can assist with this assessment. Assistance can be sought from the Local Policing Support Unit (LPSU).

Compliance with this policy and any linked procedures is mandatory.

3.0 Statement of Policy

This policy supports the Police and Crime Plan by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and the Essex Police Force Plan 2020/21 and it will ensure that the force continues to engage with the community, increases public confidence, promotes public safety and meets the needs of the diverse communities of Essex.

This policy reflects the needs and requirements of the people, communities and partners of the Essex Police district.

The Essex Police district covers Essex County Council, Southend and Thurrock Unitary Authorities.

Although high-profile or large-scale incidents have an increased potential to escalate into critical incidents, small-scale crime and internal incidents can escalate into critical incidents if they are not managed correctly.

In addition, large-scale critical incidents will generally have their origins in a response initially within the capability of an LPA. It is essential that preparation, identification and management starts early, continues throughout the life of the incident and focuses on the police response to all incidents.

The following definition should be used in deciding whether an incident should be declared as a critical incident:

‘Any incident where the effectiveness of the police response is likely to have a significant impact on the confidence of the victim, their family and/or the community’.

The careful consideration of community impact and early engagement with key stakeholders must be an enduring theme and commitment during the management of any critical incident. The senior (Gold) Commander will address this need.

4.0 Implications of the Policy

4.1 Finance / Staffing / Training / Other

The human and financial cost of managing a critical incident can have a significant impact on the force’s resilience and reputation. This will far outweigh the cost of taking proactive steps to ensure the force’s response to all incidents is competent and accountable.

This policy complements the force training which is provided for all staff involved in all stages of a critical incident and the management of such incidents.

4.2 Risk Assessment(s)

Risk assessments and health and safety considerations will be completed as part of the management process of each critical incident.

4.3 Equality Impact Assessment

• EIA – January 2021

This is based upon an assessment that critical incidents might disproportionately impact members from protected groups. Therefore, such groups might have greater impact from this policy and procedure. There is nothing intrinsic in the procedure that negatively impacts the group – conversely, the level of Command and feedback as a result should be a case for reassurance.

5.0 Consultation

The following have been consulted during the formulation of this document:

• ACC Operational Policing and Contact Management
• The Head of the OPC;
• The Head of the Professional Standards Department;
• The Head of Equality and Diversity, and Inclusion;
• Head of FCR.
• Strategic IAG

6.0 Monitoring and Review

The Head of Contact Management Command will be responsible for the monitoring of this policy. The policy will be reviewed every 12 months, or when a significant event necessitates an earlier change.

The Head of Contact Management Command will ensure that the policy is being complied with and that it remains accurate and fit for purpose.

7.0 Related Force policies or related procedures

• B 1700 Policy – Domestic Abuse
• B 1600 Policy – Missing Persons
• B 1402 Procedure – Hate Crime
• B 1601 Procedure – Missing Persons

7.1 Data Security

Essex Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management Policy – W 1000 Policy – Information Management.

7.2 Retention & Disposal of Records

Essex Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention & Disposal Policy – W 1012 Procedure/SOP - Records Review, Retention and Disposal.

We will only hold data for as long as necessary for the purposes for which we collected. Victims/public should be reminded that Essex Police take the protection of personal data seriously as described in the privacy notice.

8.0 Other source documents, e.g. legislation, Authorised Professional Practice (APP), partnership agreements (if applicable)

• Authorised Professional Practice (APP) – Critical Incident Management