National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) a year on

Today, April 23^rd, marks a year since the creation of the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC).

Commissioned by the Home Office and led by Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), NPoCC replaced the Police National Information Centre (PNICC) and was created with a wider remit to ensure policing is better prepared for wide scale disorder like the riots of 2011.

NPoCC supports police forces in responding to large scale operational challenges by facilitating requests for ‘mutual aid’ assistance from other forces. It played a part in 73 incidents in its first year - moving 12,000 police officers around the country to assist colleagues in meeting the challenges posed by major incidents or events.

By doing so NPoCC supported the effective policing of both pre-planned and spontaneous events around the country without compromising the delivery of day to day policing.

Among the challenges met in its first 12 months, NPoCC supported the G8 summit in Northern Ireland, assisted PSNI in dealing with wide scale riots during the marching season, helped forces police the fracking protests and provided national coordination for the 12 forces affected by severe weather and flooding.

NPoCC Strategic Lead ACC Stuart Williams said:

“As well as supporting forces in a wide range of events and operations, we have worked hard to ensure we have a clear picture of specialist police resources available across the country and the most effective processes in place to enable them to be utilised when and where necessary.

“This summer will see Britain firmly in the world’s spotlight once again with events including the Commonwealth Games in Scotland, the Tour De France with its Grand Depart from Yorkshire and the NATO conference in Gwent and South Wales.

“We will continue to work with forces to manage the policing of events like these in a way that keeps communities safe, prioritises officer safety and welfare, and supports the continued delivery of day to day local policing.”

ACPO President Sir Hugh Orde said:

“Huge progress has been made in NPoCC’s development over the past 12 months and people can be confident that the police service is far better able to respond quickly and effectively to demands created by large scale events and emergencies.

“Fundamental to this positive change has been the close support of the Home Office and building on our effective relationships with forces. The extra capacity and capability within NPoCC has provided a far clearer understanding of available resources and, with the support of Chief Constables, the ability when necessary to coordinate them more effectively to keep the public safe.”

Two members of the NPoCC team give an insight into their roles:

Daniel Darwin is seconded from Hampshire Police and has been a member of the NPoCC operations team since the end of January.

How long have you been a police officer and what previous roles have you held?

I have been a police officer for 7 years after joining Hampshire Police in 2007.

What previous role have you worked in?

I worked in a variety of roles in Hampshire including response, neighbourhood policing and most recently CID.

Why did you apply to join NPoCC?

I applied to join NPoCC to gain experience in an area of policing that I had not previously been involved in. I am currently responsible for helping coordinate tier 3 mutual aid requests to forces throughout the UK. Tier 3 requests are when forces require extra resources that are not available within their own region. They request these through NPoCC and we liaise with other regions to find them and get them to where they are needed.

What has you experience with NPoCC been like so far and what have been your highlights?

Joining NPoCC was a big change for me but certainly one I am glad I made as I am thoroughly enjoying my role. My personal highlights so far would have to include helping support forces throughout the unprecedented floods earlier this year and assisting and supporting COBR briefings that took place throughout.

Rob Walker is seconded from Kent Police and has been a member of the NPoCC Operations Team since May 2013.

How long have you been a police officer and what previous roles have you held?

I have been a police officer for 24 years after joining Kent Police in 1990. I have previously been a response officer, force planner, public order instructor and a tactical advisor.

What big events or projects have you been involved in?

I have been fortunate enough to be involved in a number of large scale events and investigations during my career, including the G8 summit in Scotland in 2003, a major animal rights investigation 2007-2008, three Open Golf Championships in Kent and most recently the 2012 Olympic Games.

Why did you apply to join NPoCC?

I enjoyed being a planner at force level for large scale events and emergencies and wanted to build on this experience and plan at a national level. So far so good!

What has you experience with NPoCC been like so far and what have been your highlights?

It’s been a fantastic experience! My personal highlights would definitely include helping support the police operation for last year’s G8 summit in Northern Ireland, assisting the Police Service Northern Ireland again during the marching season and offering support to Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR) meetings.

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk