Policy Scope:

The use of Proactive Teams within South Yorkshire Police has been common place for some time. Whilst most Districts from time to time, and in response to need introduce ad-hoc units to deal with specific problems (for example Vehicle Crime Units), all have retained a core team of officers whose purpose is to proactively target offenders using, in the main, covert policing techniques. The roll out of the National Intelligence Model saw the introduction of Intelligence Development Teams who employ similar covert tactics but for the purpose of gathering intelligence.

This policy applies to Core Proactive Units and Intelligence Development Teams. It does not affect a District's ability to introduce on an adhoc basis a team of officers or police staff as part of a single initiative.

Policy Aims and Objectives:

The aim of the policy is to ensure that effective selection and training processes are in place to meet the requirement of District Proactive Units and Intelligence Development Teams.

The objectives of this policy are:

• To introduce a selection process for officers posted to District Proactive Units and Intelligence Development Teams that is consistent across the force.
• To maximise the ability of the Force Training Department to meet the training needs of officers selected to work within Proactive Units and Intelligence Development Teams.
• To ensure that the training invested in an officer attached to a District Proactive Unit or Intelligence Development Team is cost effective.

Associated Procedural Instructions:

This policy is supported by the following procedural instructions:

Selection and Training of Officers for District Proactive Teams and Intelligence Development Units D51390

Equality Act 2010:

The Act creates a statutory requirement for all Functions and Policies (Including Procedural Instructions) to be analysed for their effect on equality, diversity and human rights, with due regard to the General Duty.

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

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.

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 procedural instruction D50241 Management of Complaints, in the section entitled Handling Complaints relating to Direction and Control. 

Start Date:

25 June 2007.

Equality Analysis: 

D51389 Selection and Training of Staff for Proactive Units.pdf