Contingency Planning Unit
The visit by The President of The United States of America to the force area during November 2003 coupled with the impending introduction of The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 highlighted a need to increase the force capability regarding operational and contingency planning.
This led to the creation of The Contingency Planning Unit in January 2005, with staff moving into their current office accommodation in April 2005.
The Unit is headed by an inspector and undertakes two distinct functions; the first being Operational Planning and the second is Contingency Planning, so as to progress force compliance with the requirements of The Civil Contingencies Act.
The Operational Planning aspect involves the planning of large scale or force events, including Royal visits and the co-ordination of other VIP visits. It also involves the assessment and circulation within force of all public Military events and policing response, where necessary. Personnel also write, maintain or develop operational plans as necessary.
The Contingency Planning aspect necessitates close partnership engagement at varying levels with a number of agencies, in particular, other blue light responders and the County Durham & Darlington Civil Contingencies Unit. This area of work together with the development of emergency response plans is an essential element in ensuring compliance with the Civil Contingencies Act.
Contingency Planning and Operational Planning work-streams often merge with the creation or development of operational or emergency response plans and the Unit has become the co-ordinating office for the development of all force emergency or contingency plans.
During 2005, there were many demands upon the police, such as the UK response to the Tsunami and the G8 Summit. These and other major events throughout the year created unprecedented demands upon the police. The Contingency Planning Unit acted throughout as the principle point of contact for logistical, administrative and financial accountability and support. The Operations Administration department also played a very important supportive role in the administration of financial claims including cost recovery issues at force level.
Other functions undertaken by Unit members include:
- Being the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for all matters relating to Police National Information and Co-ordination Centre (PNICC)
- Production and circulation of Public Order Tactical Advisor on-call rota.
- Production and circulation of Police Search Advisor (PolSA) on-call rota.
- Maintenance / Replacement of Police Search equipment
- Planning of and facilitation of Force or Multi-Agency exercises, in line with the Civil Contingencies Act.
- Co-ordination and logistical planning to mutual aid deployments
Current staffing within the Unit consists of two sergeants; each with role alignment to either Operational or Contingency Planning, supported by four constables and one full time Administration Support officer.
The Head of the Unit, is accountable to the Chief Inspector Operational Support Branch, who in turn, is accountable to the Superintendent Operations.
