Policy Scope:

The policy affects all staff.

Policy Aims and Objectives:

The policy of the South Yorkshire Police is to provide an efficient and effective working relationship with the various facets of the Armed Forces, outlining where necessary areas of responsibility and accountability. This will include assisting the Armed Services in dealing with matters surrounding certain urgent welfare issues relating to serving Service personnel and their families.

The Armed Forces include the Army, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy including Royal Marines and Queen Alexander Royal Naval Nursing School (QARNNS).

During peacetime the Armed Forces may be authorised to assist the police through the Military Aid to the Civil Power (MACP) scheme. Any such request must have the authorisation of an Assistant Chief Constable. The Contingency Planning Inspector (extension 712961) is the force liaison officer for MACP. Note that charges may be raised. Where a ‘life threatening situation‘ exists, the military may be contacted direct at 15(NE) Brigade HQ (York) on the following numbers:

01904 662184
01904 662289
01904 662040
07771 941336

The Ministry of Defence Police deal with crime on and against Ministry of Defence assets; they do not deal per se with members of the Armed Forces. Ministry of Defence officers may assist local police officers or deal with incidents in local police areas in line with the Home Office Circular 24/2002. This replaces Home Office Circular 17/1999 dated 25 March 1999 following the enactment of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 which amended the Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987.

Primary responsibility for the maintenance and enforcement of the criminal law throughout South Yorkshire remains with the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police.

Associated Procedural Instructions:

This policy is supported by the following procedural instructions:

South Yorkshire Police / Ministry of Defence Protocol D50634

HM Armed Forces Casualty Notifying Protocols  D51494

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.

Audit Review Arrangements:

This policy together with its Equality Analysis 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 procedural instruction D50241 Management of Complaints, in the section entitled Handling Complaints relating to Direction and Control. 

Start Date:

30 January 2006 (Amended February 2008)