The Law www.essex.police.uk CiB Anglia Communic8 2008 awards winner – best small internal publication March 2009 Anglia CIPR PRide awards 2008 finalist – best newspaper or magazine HIGH-TECHNew system in use at crash sites METHODS is accurate to one centimetre KEEPING ROADS SAFE by Bill Stock ROAD crash investigators in Essex are using high-tech satellite-navigation surveying equipment to help them carry out faster and more detailed examinations at the scene of fatal and serious injury inci- dents. The £60,000 global positioning system (GPS) technology, which is accurate to within one centimetre, has been given to the Traffic Investigation Unit (TIU) by the Highways Agency. GPS allows officers to make detailed measure- ments while crashed vehicles are still in situ, whereas in the past they had to wait for wreckage to be cleared to make line-of-sight calculations. The time saving means that investigations at large crash scenes on motorways and trunk roads can be Sgt Richard carried out more quickly and reduce road-closure times. Raker, of the TIU officers are also hoping to be able to use further Traffic advanced technology soon to produce animations Investigation showing how crashes happen. Advanced computer Unit at software, currently being pioneered by Humberside Police, will allow officers to turn data gathered at Boreham crash scenes into ‘video’ clips which can be shown in court. And TIU officers are due to visit Humberside this month to find out more about the system, which will also further enhance their complex work at crashes. Picture by When called to crash scenes, TIU officers gather Duncan physical evidence, survey the site, record skids marks Thurlwell and gouges in the road surface, consider weather conditions and check vehicles for defects. Later, the team might re-create an accident or carry out skid tests on a specialist track at Dunton. Although officers have the grim task of viewing bodies at crash scenes, their work helps to prevent other accidents. Sgt Richard Raker, who heads the team, said: “We have to get to crash scenes quickly to preserve evi- dence and usually take three to four hours to do our work. But recently, one fail-to-stop fatal crash called for a 24-hour road closure. “Members of the public do not appreciate why roads are closed for such a long time. But when it does happen, we are the officers on scene and we hope that our work and investigations will ultimately help to make our roads safer.” The TIU normally recruits road policing officers from Mobile Support Division but this year, for the first time, applications have been opened up to officers anywhere in Essex. Sgt Raker added: “We are looking for motivated people. A background in engineering or any sort of technical degree would be an advantage but is not essential.” To apply to join, contact Sgt Raker at the TIU at Boreham 2 The Law, March 2009 News New recruits are aiming high Ambition for policing in Essex OPERATION Apex – the ambition for policing in Essex – has already secured £4.7million to recruit an additional 110 police officers between September 2008 and the end of this month – with a further 490 to come in the next three or four years. Pc Jamie Toleman Pc James Rist Some of the new officers have Pc Richard English Pc Samuel Board already finished their basic train- wanted variety in a job. Essex the standard of neighbour- colleagues is to ensure that Essex Former actor and drama teacher ing and are serving the public on “The police service gives the hood policing and customer service Police achieves the best standards of Pc Samuel Board has been posted opportunity of working with people they deserve. any force in the UK and to further to Loughton. the front line. in the community to make a differ- “I hope to assist by working to improve public satisfaction and con- He chose to join the force “because Media and communications ence. achieve the aims of Operation Apex fidence by ensuring that Essex of its large recruitment drive and manager Kate Batson asks them “I chose Essex Police because I felt and offer the best standard of polic- Police builds upon its successful the fact that Essex Police is a well- why they joined Essex Police and that, as I am part of the community ing to Essex communities as much foundations, especially those provid- respected force in the UK and I of Essex, it was my best opportunity as I can, providing professionalism ed by its successful ACTION initia- wanted to be part of a strong team what they hope to achieve while to offer a service to that community and good customer service, so that tive.” with a strong drive. working with us. and to help make Essex a safer Essex residents can have a police Pc James Rist has been posted to “I also like the location and the county in which to live.” service to be proud of.” Pitsea. Before joining the force, he rural, coastal and urban areas that NOW based at South Woodham Operation Apex has given Essex Pc Richard English is based in worked in customer services for make up the county. On a personal Ferrers, Pc Jamie Toleman previ- Police the opportunity to recruit Colchester, having previously energy firm E.ON and was also a level, I thought it would offer me the ously worked for 22 months as a worked as an advertising field sales special constable in South Western opportunity to challenge myself. PCSO in the Braintree district. these officers, but how is the representative for the East Anglian Division for two and a half years. “I am boosted by the large intake Before that he was a student programme of work perceived? Daily Times and Evening Star news- He joined Essex Police as he was of 600 officers because it shows that studying law, economics and Pc Toleman says: “Operation Apex papers, based in Ipswich. aware of the force’s reputation as Essex Police has the drive and com- psychology. has vastly boosted opportunities in He joined Essex Police to “help the one of the best in the UK and decid- mitment to reduce crime and He says: “I joined Essex Police policing. community and to make a differ- ed that “I wanted to be part of it”. increase public safety in all areas. because it is one of the very few jobs “Not only has it opened the doors ence”. He said: “I wasn’t able to juggle Being at Essex Police College for my that still offer a lifetime career. for promotion and specialist roles He added that the announcement the work-life balance of being a training and seeing a new intake of “The opportunities in the police but it has also provided the opport - of Operation Apex had been a “great special and working shifts with officers start every six weeks is very are second to none. A commonly- unity for those who wish to be police boost”. E.ON. reassuring because it shows that the used cliché but one that is true is officers to get out there on front-line He said: “Not only will Operation “Following my first 18 weeks of facts and figures are being imple- that every day is different and I police duties to offer the people of Apex ensure that police resources are training, I aim to reach a high level mented.” not put under of skill which will assist me to work Pc Board’s ambitions include one unnecessary effectively in the vast, changing - to join the Dog Unit. strain but it will communities of Essex.” He added: “Through training, I also provide He added: “The recruitment of 600 hope to achieve the knowledge and greater opport - extra officers by Essex Police will understanding to start my career unities to recruits help to strengthen shifts and act with confidence. I know I will be like me who are positively in allowing us to provide a learning every day for the rest of my looking to move more visible and reassuring pres- life when it comes to policing so to up the promo- ence on the streets. have a good start is essential. tional ladder or “I feel that the knock-on effect of “In the future I would like to specialise. this presence will make offenders explore different areas of policing “The main aim think twice before committing crime and aim to be part of the Dog Unit of me and my on our patch.” one day.” Operational security is priority for this former SOCA officer A NEW officer has been recruited by Essex As the OPSY, he must look objectively at the Police to give advice and guidance on main- handling of investigations regarding such taining high standards during investigations issues as covert resource management, and operations. intelligence-gathering, the quality of Leigh Kirkby, a former senior officer in the intelligence, the security of the case and the Serious and Organised Crime security of file-keeping and Agency (SOCA), has been documents. appointed as the force’s first He will focus on, identify and OPSY or Operational Security take forward best practice in Officer. intelligence-handling and Mr Kirkby previously served operational security, thus pro- 20 years in Essex Police at viding a quality-assurance role Southend, Harlow and Grays in in respect of both covert and uniform and with overt operational activity. divisional/sub-divisional CID. Mr Kirkby said he was used He was also posted to the Force to the concept, having worked Support Unit, the Crime with OPSYs in many of the Operations Unit, the Child operations he ran while work- Abuse Investigation Unit and ing for SOCA and its forerun- the Major Investigation Section.