Road Policing Unit
The Durham Constabulary Road Policing Unit (RPU) is part of the Operations Division. It comprises the Head of RPU, who is of Chief Inspector rank, four Inspectors, eight Sergeants and sixty-two Constables. The Inspector's Sergeants and Constables are divided into 4 teams, each known as a 'relief' in the same way as a team of fire officers is called a 'watch'. Officers on these reliefs provide traffic policing 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Within each relief some officers are armed with firearms. These provide one of the force's responses to incidents that involve guns or other dangerous weapons.
All road policing officers are police officers before they be come part of the RPU. They are professional and keen officers who work across the force area and are not limited to the geographic areas although each Road Policing crew is based in a territorial Area Command. They are directed to traffic and other problems by their sergeants and briefed as to area issues that they are required to give attention to. These issues are diverse, possibly calling upon their expertise as road policing officers with detailed knowledge of traffic law, or their ability as highly trained drivers to ensure the safe stopping of suspected criminals, or to prevent motorists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. At different times of the year road policing officers pay particular attention to specific areas of legislation which are geared to reduce casualties.
These initiatives are part of a national calendar of 'campaigns'. However it should be remembered that our officers will enforce all aspect of road traffic legislation thought the year, the themes of each campaign are just the one aspect that they will concentrate on particularly. From time to time traffic officers are directed specifically to work in partnership with the Vehicle Inspectorate ensuring the road worthiness of vehicles, particularly large goods vehicles.
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One of the main functions of the Road Policing Unit is casualty reduction. To ensure that the resources we have are used to the best effect to achieve this we have established a Traffic Management Unit is which a sergeant, four support staff and one constable, the Casualty Reduction Officer. This team works closely with other agencies such as the highway agencies and local councils.
The Sergeant from the Traffic Management Unit also has responsibility for the force's Casualty Reduction Camera Unit. This is who runs the force's speed and other camera systems. We use mobile speed detection cameras, unmarked cars and patrol cars equipped with video technology. However our objectives are most definitely casualty reduction, we deploy these cars and cameras to locations that statistics show are sites where accidents occur as a result of speed. We review these sites regularly so we are ready to respond to changes in accident patterns and motorist's behaviour.
Road traffic accidents across the force need to be reported to the police if anyone is injured. If no one is hurt it is sufficient that the drivers exchange their names and addresses and the ownership and identification details of the vehicles. In most cases Area Command officers will deal with accidents, however in more serious cases Road Policing Unit Officers will investigate them. In fatal and very serious accidents the Accident Unit conduct that investigation. A sergeant and eight constables staff this unit, they are not only very experienced traffic officers but highly qualified accident investigators. Some are in the process of being recognised for their knowledge by inclusion on the Law Society's Expert Witness List publication.
Fact and figures relating to accident and casualties may be found in our Road Casualty Reduction section.
