Page 43 - Top Cover Issue 8

TOP COVER ISSUE 4 43

ROBO SCOUT

grasping just how far it is to travel from • Robo Scout (see photo) are supported by a number of force
one end of the ground to the other. • Camera PIMs. Principle Officers also benefit
The current vehicle fleet is a mixture Mehler body armour is worn by all from highly trained Federation Post
of Audi Q7s, used mainly by Cambs, officers with Kevlar plates. Officers also Incident Officers. The three forces have
Volvo XC70 AWDs and Volvo V70 D5s. carry ASPs and pava spray. Another Fed Reps who have attended the PFOA
An interesting fleet, with some of the item carried on all cars is a ‘go bag’ Federations PIPs course. The week long
vehicles amassing huge mileages before which contains maps for the counties, course culminates in an assessed pass/
being replaced – another sign of the a negotiator phone, rat trap, spare cuffs fail question and answer and practical
times perhaps? You only have to drive a and leg restraints. Uniform worn includes examination.
few miles on the Fen roads to understand cargo trousers, wicking tops, keela fleeces Arguably this is the way forward now
the punishment the Cambs Q7s must and Altberg boots. For inclement weather for police forces across the country. Police
endure on a day-to-day basis! Arktis coats and gloves are also issued. Scotland clearly demonstrates what
The various weapons used by the unit Each year on average the unit forces coming together can achieve. At
include: responds to over 850 requests for armed a time when policing is being divested
• Glock handguns support. Beds have been involved in two of money and resources, it makes sense,
• H&K G36 fatal shootings, the first being in 1998 and probably to the average member of
• H&K MP5 K and the other in January 2003. public, it’s better value. However, whilst
• Taser Whilst the Tri Force is working all may seem great from the outside
Each ARV will carry the following well on the whole, there were teething looking in, collaboration should not be
equipment: problems. Change of workplaces, shift an excuse to cut back in an area that we
• Baton Gun – AEP changes and familiarization of a new quite clearly need to invest in. Recent
• Taser for each officer patrol area can all have an impact on the events in Paris, other parts of France
• Distraction devices workforce. There are inevitably going and indeed Europe demonstrate quite
• T66 Grab bag to be problems for officers and their clearly that we need an effective armed
• Ballistic shields – short, T66 style, families dealing with a shift change and presence in the UK. Cutting back on
high velocity workplace move. armed policing would be naïve and
• First Aid kit – all officers advanced If the unit is involved in a shooting dangerous ■
ballistic first aid trained or a DSI incident they have a number
• De-fib of Post Incident Suites spread over the
• Stinger counties. Inspectors Paul Sandwell
• Ladders – extendable and Mick Crozier are very much ‘into’
• Night sights Post Incident Management and they