D0700 Procedure - Public Order
Number: D0700
Date Published: 17 September 2021
Version 9 – September 2021
1.0 Summary of Changes
This policy has been updated on its yearly review as follows:
- Amendment at section 3.0 to remove ‘lawfully’ as this term has been removed from COP guidance;
- Amendment to section 4.2.3 to alter how the AEP commanders are qualified.
2.0 What this Policy is About
This policy details the response by Essex Police to dealing with incidents involving public disorder. We will ensure we have sufficient resources available to fulfil both our Regional and National Mutual Aid commitments when dealing with incidents of public disorder.
This policy should be read in conjunction with the Authorised Professional Practice (APP) – Public Order.
Compliance with this policy and any linked procedures is mandatory.
3.0 Statement of Policy
The aims of the Essex Police in policing disorder and protests are as follows:
- To provide a policing response that maximises the safety of the people of Essex, as well as those police officers subject of a wider policing operation;
- To work in partnership to develop plans to minimise disruption to our communities, including the road network;
- To prevent crime and disorder;
- To deal with disorder and breaches of the criminal law in an effective manner;
- To allow the members of the public to exercise their rights and freedoms under Human Rights legislation and to protest in a peaceful manner.
We will always ensure any response to dealing with public disorder is justified, appropriate, proportionate and necessary to ensure that the law is upheld, and the rights and freedoms of individuals are protected.
3.1 Level 3 Trained Officers
Level 3 Public Order training is required for police officers who are expected to be deployed to pre-planned public order/public safety events. This includes Special Constables.
Level 3 Public Order officers are not equipped with Public Order Personal Protective Equipment and instead deploy in standard/normal uniform.
To be a Level 3 Public Order officer, officers must complete a Level 3 Public Order tactical training course, which meets the standards described in module B1 of the National Police Public Order Training Curriculum (NPPOTC). This must be completed every three years. Training records will be maintained by RMU – Training and Skills.
All Community Policing Officers will be Level 3 public order trained going forward, unless certain exceptions apply.
4.0 Implications of the Policy
4.1 Finance / Staffing / Training / Other
The policing of Public Order incidents will be financed through local and central budgets or other external sources.
Staffing resources will be considered for every Public Order incident.
Properly trained and accredited Public Order Commanders Strategic, Tactical and Operational (Gold, Silver and Bronze) will be identified for any Public Order deployments.
Essex Police will maintain a cadre of Public Order trained officers to fulfil policing requirements and commitments.
4.1.1 Job Related Fitness Test (JRFT)
Eligible police officers up to and including the rank of Chief Superintendent must successfully complete the relevant annual JRFT prior to any training. If officers below and including the rank of Chief Superintendent fail to complete the JRFT, to the required standard or are operationally restricted they will be classed as non-deployable. Officers above the rank of Chief Superintendent can remain deployable but not ground assigned.
All JRFT levels are set within C 2007 Procedure – Job Related Fitness Test. Each officer will maintain the level required within The 15 Metre Shuttle Run Bleep Test (MSFT), Chester Treadmill Police Walking Test (CTPWT) or The Chester Treadmill Police Run Test (CTPRT)
Public Order AEP officers will maintain the fitness level required to perform their current firearms role profile, in accordance with I 0800 Policy – Firearms.
Police officer
Endurance Standard MSFT (level : shuttle) 5:4
Target Time for CTPWT (minutes : seconds) 10:00
Police Support Unit
Endurance Standard MSFT (level : shuttle) 6:3
Target Time for CTPWT (minutes : seconds) 10:40
Authorised Firearms Officer
Endurance Standard MSFT (level : shuttle) 7:6
Target Time for CTPWT (minutes : seconds) 12:00
Armed Response Vehicle
Endurance Standard MSFT (level : shuttle) 9.4
Target Time for CTPRT (minutes : seconds) 8:00
Dynamic Intervention
Endurance Standard MSFT (level : shuttle) 10.5
Target Time for CTPRT (minutes : seconds) 10:00
4.2 Equipment
This area will refer to equipment, which is available to trained public order officers and commanders, during the use of Public Order Public Safety (POPS) deployments.
4.2.1 Body Worn Video (BWV)
Use of Body Worn Video is detailed within the BWV policy and should be considered to capture officer’s personal interaction but not pseudo Evidence Gathering Team (EGT) tactic. Retention of footage to be stored in accordance with force policy and guidance as per A 0901 Procedure – Body Worn Video – Operational use, Recording and the Evidential Process - Section 3.1
4.2.2 Batons
All Level two trained public order officers will have access to both ASP and Arnold prior to any deployment. It will be for the Sliver POPS Commander to determine what baton will be operationally deployed with based on the strategic style and tone of the operation, balanced with the threat and risk assessment.
4.2.3 Public Order Attenuating Energy Projectile (AEP) Commander
Officers trained as public order AEP operatives within the region will all also be trained to take the role of AEP commander operationally when they attend their annual refresher training. This will allow flexibility for operational deployments.
4.3 Risk Assessments
A generic risk assessment for incidents of this type has been completed and an operation specific risk assessment will be made for each incident.
4.4 Equality Impact Assessment
- EIA – August 2020
5.0 Consultation
The following have been consulted during the formulation of this document:
- Head of Operational Policing Command (OPC)
- Operational Planning Centre, (OPC)
- Policy Unit
- Health and Safety
- Finance Department
- IT Department
- Training – EPC
- Diversity Unit
- Protective Services Improvement Team
- Federation
- Personal Safety Training
6.0 Monitoring and Review
The policing arrangements for public disorder matters are monitored by the Chief Inspector, Operational Planning, on behalf of the Head of OPC.
The evaluation and review of this policy in relation to public order, particularly those predictable events where the risk is high, will be a continuous process and will be conducted by Chief Inspector, Operational Planning, on behalf of the Head of OPC.
The policy will be monitored throughout its lifespan by the Chief Inspector Operational Planning, to ensure it remains accurate and compliant with both legislation and national/local drivers. This policy will be reviewed annually.
7.0 Related Force policies or related procedures
- D 0701 Procedure – Public Order
- I 0800 Policy - Firearms
- D 0710 Procedure – Use of Personal Protective Equipment
- A 0901 Procedure -Body Worn Video – Operational Use, Recording and the Evidential Process
- C 2007 Procedure - Job Related Fitness Test
8.0 Other source documents, e.g. legislation, Authorised Professional Practice (APP), partnership agreements (if applicable)
- Authorised Professional Practice – Public Order.
- NPCC Manual of Guidance on Public Order Standards, Tactics & Training
- National Public Order Legislation Guide
- EIA – August 2020
8.1 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.
8.2 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.
The legal basis within which this policy is to operate can be found in:
- The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (as amended by the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003)
- The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
- Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003
- The Human Rights Act 1998
- The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2000
- The Criminal Law Act 1967
- The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
- The Public Order Act 1986
- The Crime and Disorder Act 1998
Essex Police will carry out its duties in keeping with the requirements and considerations of the following additional statutes:
- The Race Relations Act 1976, as amended by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
- The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001
- The Human Rights Act 1998
- Freedom of Information Act 2000