Policy Scope:

This policy affects all police personnel. The policy includes alarms, vehicle tracking and CCTV systems.

Policy Aims and Objectives:

South Yorkshire Police have adopted the ACPO Policy on Police Response to Security Systems. This is a living document, published by the Security Systems Working Group within the general policing business area of ACPO which is reviewed on a regular basis.

The ACPO Policy aims to reduce considerably the number of false alarm activities and to ensure that alarm, tracking and CCTV technology is installed to national/European recognised standards.

Please see the SYP website for further Alarm Advice.

Associated Procedural Instructions:

This policy is supported by the following procedural instructions:

Attendance at premises following the activation of an alarm D50147 (Diversity Impact Assessment)

ACPO Policy on Police Response to Security Systems

Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and Diversity Impact Assessment

The Act places a statutory requirement for all Functions and Policies (Including Procedural Instructions) to be impact assessed for their level of relevance to the General Duty.

In principle, this document has been assessed for discrimination, which cannot be justified, among other diverse groups.

This Statement of Agreed Policy has been Impact Assessed as LOW relevance.

Human Rights/Discretion:

The purpose of providing policy is to give an indication to staff of the expected course of action. However it is not possible to cater for every possible combination of factors that would justify a departure from stated policy. The Human Rights Act 1998 requires the proper use of discretion at all times and nothing within this policy and associated procedural instructions prohibits the proper use of discretion in appropriate circumstances.

Where action is taken that has the potential to interfere with an individual’s Human Rights, the reasons behind the making of the decision to act in that way should be recorded on the appropriate forms, or where this is not practicable, in pocket books or policy logs.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Exemptions do not apply to this statement of agreed policy under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Audit Review Arrangements:

This policy together with its Diversity Impact Assessment will be reviewed every 3 years

Rights of redress for members of the public:

Anyone who feels that a member of staff has behaved incorrectly or unfairly, or who is dissatisfied with organisational matters, service delivery or other operational policing issues, has the right to make a complaint.

Initial action should be taken in one of the following ways:

• Complain in writing or in person to the Senior Officer at the appropriate police station or to the Chief Constable of the force concerned.

• Visit a local Citizens' Advice Bureau

• Contact a Solicitor

Rights of redress for South Yorkshire Police personnel:

South Yorkshire Police personnel who feel they have grounds for concern in relation to the implementation of policies may, as appropriate:

• Pursue concerns through their line manager.

• Contact a First Contact Advisor.

• Pursue a grievance formally through the South Yorkshire Police Fairness at Work Procedure.

• Seek advice from their staff association or trades union.

• Use the Policy for Handling Complaints relating to Direction and Control.

Start Date:

14 January 2002

Diversity Impact Assessment: 

D51068 ACPO Policy on Police Response to Security Systems.pdf