The development of a Territorial Policing Doctrine
Inspector Tony Bone Strathclyde Police Territorial Policing DepartmentTerritorial Policing has evolved in response to a demand for modern policing methods to tackle the issues which are uppermost in the minds of the public. Although a structure already exists which identifies policing priorities and which informs the deployment of police resources, there is still a general lack of understanding about how priorities should be set and disseminated.
Currently, a business model entitled the National Intelligence Model (NIM) provides a framework for setting priorities nationally and locally by creating a Control Strategy. Along with local issues and an element of environmental scanning, the NIM is informed by the National and Force Strategic Assessments. Force and Divisional Tasking and Co-ordinating Groups set and disseminate priorities to provide a focus for policing at front-line level.
In addition the Public Reassurance and Public Consultation process ascertains the burning issues that members of the public perceive to be the most prevalent within their area. More often than not, these local issues do not correlate with the priorities set by the NIM-focused Control Strategies. This is because many of the Control Strategy items are set at a higher level due to the process of gathering and disseminating information. In essence, these various strands of obtaining the most prevalent issue affecting communities becomes very confusing for all involved, especially front-line police officers and their supervisors.
There is a growing belief that we need to re-assess our business and organisational structures to ensure the best methods are used and that front-line personnel are crystal clear about what is expected of them. Therefore, it is my intention to re-assess the top-down approach to setting priorities and instead look at a system of capturing information that can truly make a positive impact on operational policing.
Training:Not only does this impact on policing structures but it also affects the way we train new recruits. The success of this proposal depends very much on how new recruits are trained as their understanding of priority setting and focused policing methods is essential. Therefore, a section of the 'Doctrine' will be dedicated to ways of implementing the ideas contained in the actual document. Targeting new recruits is only the start as there is a need to influence the mindset of many levels in the police service.
Performance Management:Presently, various performance measurement models exist at Local, Force and National levels. Understandably, there is a great deal of reluctance to embrace performance management/measurement models. However, when deployed consistently and appropriately, they enhance ownership and accountability and undoubtedly motivate individuals at all levels.
The aim of the 'Doctrine' is to establish a generic performance management model that can be adapted and applied to all strands of Territorial Policing to ensure efforts remain focused on priorities. This model enhances adherence to the principles of the NIM while ensuring resources are diverted from non-essential tasks. The ultimate winners are communities who are also encouraged to embrace the merits of inclusive policing tactics.
Territorial Policing Doctrine:Territorial Policing is a portfolio led by an Assistant Chief Constable which combines research, policy and procedural improvements along with enhanced operational activity. The aim is to align organisational priorities with the demands of the public within our policing area. To successfully achieve this it has been necessary to adapt policing methods to incorporate greater innovation. This document outlines the changes that have already taken place and provides an indication of how the Territorial Policing Doctrine can act as a modern policing framework using modern methods.
Strathclyde Police Territorial Policing Department incorporates many disciplines which are all aligned to Force priorities. Ultimately, the aim is to significantly reduce violence and anti-social behaviour and influence offender behaviour through disruption tactics and intervention strategies. Currently, this is being achieved through intelligent resource deployment and developing specialisms. Some examples are as follows:
The joint efforts of these strands of Territorial Policing have made a significant impact on instances of crime and disorder across Strathclyde. Improved partnership working with many external organisations has already led to enhanced intelligence gathering which has, in turn, enabled infiltration of organised crime groups; greater scrutiny and accountability has increased ownership of specific issues which has led to reduced levels of violence.
Ultimately, the examples of innovation ongoing at present are too many to catalogue hence the need for a comprehensive portfolio of evidence that will exist as a reference document for other Forces and Law Enforcement agencies. The evidence within such a catalogue of work will identify a radical approach to meet the needs of a modern policing service but with a direct correlation with the issues that matter most to the public. These examples are available to be shared with other Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies.
Some examples are:
The Territorial Policing Doctrine is a means of encapsulating the innovation that exists within this area of policing business in Strathclyde to ensure that the current methods are documented and shared with other interested criminal justice partners. The intended outcome is an enhanced awareness of how intelligent policing methods can be deployed on a wider scale by capturing the best ideas and community-based tactics available. These methods have clear tangible benefits that aim to influence offender behaviour, providing valid interventions and options to offenders, and ultimately improving the conditions within those communities that suffer the most.
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