Policía de Hampshire

Police force responsible for policing Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

Policía de Hampshire
Descripción general de la agencia
Formado	1839
Agencias precedentes	Policía del municipio de Basingstoke Policía del municipio de Romsey Policía del municipio de Andover Policía de la ciudad de Southampton Policía de la ciudad de Portsmouth Policía del condado de Isle of Wight
Empleados	4.066 [1]
Voluntarios	457 [2]
Presupuesto anual	337,3 millones de libras esterlinas (2019/20) [3]
Estructura jurisdiccional
Jurisdicción de operaciones	Hampshire Isla de Wight
Mapa de la zona policial
Tamaño	1,613 millas cuadradas
Población	1,9 millones (2010/2011)
Jurisdicción legal	Inglaterra y Gales
Instrumento constitutivo	Ley de policía de 1996
Naturaleza general	Policía civil local
Estructura operativa
Reseñado por	Inspección de Policía de Su Majestad y Comisión Independiente de Denuncias contra la Policía
Sede	Eastleigh (estratégico) Netley Abbey (apoyo y formación) Winchester (operativo)
Oficiales de policía	2.812 (septiembre de 2020) [4]
PCSO	214 (septiembre de 2020)
Ejecutivos de agencias	Olivia Pinkney, jefe de policía Sara Glen, subjefe de policía
Instalaciones
Estaciones	29 (14 abiertos al público en general)
Perros	sí
Sitio web
www .hampshire .police .uk

La Policía de Hampshire es la fuerza policial territorial responsable de vigilar los condados de Hampshire y la Isla de Wight en el sureste de Inglaterra . ^[5]

El área de fuerza incluye Southampton , la ciudad más grande del sureste de Inglaterra , y la ciudad naval de Portsmouth . ^[5] También cubre el Parque Nacional New Forest , secciones del Parque Nacional South Downs , grandes ciudades como Basingstoke , Eastleigh , Andover , Fareham y Aldershot , y la histórica ciudad de Winchester . La policía, tal como está constituida actualmente, data de 1967, pero la policía moderna en Hampshire se remonta a 1832.

A finales de 2015, la fuerza trasladó su sede estratégica a Eastleigh , a un edificio que ahora se comparte con el Servicio de Bomberos y Rescate de Hampshire y la Isla de Wight . Al mismo tiempo, la fuerza trasladó su Cuartel General Operacional a Mottisfont Court en Winchester . ^[6] El cuartel general de apoyo y formación y la sala de control se encuentran en Netley , cerca de Southampton , en los edificios del antiguo hospital de Netley .

Historia

The first fully constituted police force formed in Hampshire was the Winchester City Police, founded in 1832.^[7] The Hampshire County Constabulary was established seven years later in December 1839^[8] as a result of the passing of the County Police Act that year. Initially the force had a chief constable and two superintendents: one was based in Winchester, and the second based on the Isle of Wight (then part of Hampshire).^[9] The first separate police force on the island was formed in 1837 when the Newport Borough Police was established.^[9] A separate Isle of Wight Constabularyno se formó hasta 1890 cuando a la isla se le concedió el estatus de condado administrativo .

Durante el siglo XIX, la policía del condado de Hampshire absorbió varias fuerzas del condado, incluida la policía del condado de Basingstoke (1836-1889), la policía del condado de Romsey (1836-1865), la policía del condado de Lymington (1836-1852) y la policía del condado de Andover (1836-1846). La policía de la Isla de Wight también absorbió las fuerzas de los distritos de Newport y Ryde. Winchester, Southampton y Portsmouth siguieron teniendo fuerzas policiales independientes. En 1914, la Policía Especial comenzó a realizar tareas regulares "para la preservación continua del orden durante la guerra". Antes de esto, los agentes especiales solo eran llamados para ayudar en los principales eventos y disturbios. ^[10]

En 1943, como parte de las Regulaciones de Defensa (Fusión de Fuerzas Policiales) de 1942, la Policía del Condado de Hampshire se fusionó con las fuerzas de Policía de la Isla de Wight y la Ciudad de Winchester para formar la Fuerza Policial Conjunta de Hampshire . Las dos fuerzas de la ciudad, la policía de la ciudad de Southampton y la policía de la ciudad de Portsmouth , permanecieron independientes. Aunque este arreglo fue pensado originalmente solo como una medida en tiempos de guerra, continuó después de que terminaron las hostilidades. En 1948, la fusión se hizo permanente, y la Fuerza de Policía Conjunta de Hampshire pasó a llamarse Policía de Hampshire .

El nombre se cambió una vez más en 1957, a Hampshire e Isle of Wight Constabulary . ^[11] La Ley de Policía de 1964 condujo a la fusión de las fuerzas de la ciudad (Southampton y Portsmouth) en la fuerza de Hampshire. Esto creó la actual policía de Hampshire . Los últimos cambios importantes en el área de la policía se produjeron en 1974, cuando la Ley de gobierno local cambió varias áreas del gobierno local y la responsabilidad de vigilar Christchurch se transfirió a la policía de Dorset .

Los nombres de las fuerzas que han vigilado los condados de Hampshire y la Isla de Wight desde el siglo XIX se ilustran a continuación:

In 1965, the force had an establishment of 1,346 and an actual strength of 1,137.^[12]

The headquarters moved to their current locations in Eastleigh (Strategic HQ) and Winchester (Operational HQ) in 2015. The previous facility in Winchester, close to Winchester Prison sat on the site of the first county headquarters, built in 1847.

Entre 2013 y 2017, se cerraron y vendieron varias comisarías, mientras que en otras se cerraron sus instalaciones públicas. La necesidad de reducir costos también condujo a la formación de una Unidad de Operaciones Conjuntas con la Policía de Thames Valley que, durante el transcurso de 2012, vio la fusión de Unidades de Policía de Carreteras, Adiestramiento, Armas de Fuego y Unidades Caninas de las dos fuerzas. Los departamentos de TI de las fuerzas se fusionaron a principios de 2011. En abril de 2015, la policía de Hampshire anunció un "modelo policial de nueva apariencia", comenzando una reorganización importante.

Acontecimientos importantes

• 1840 - 14 Superintendentes nombrados, cada uno para encabezar una 'División'.
• 1893 - El jefe de policía Peregrine Fellowes, un ex ayudante general adjunto de Australia, que había estado en el cargo durante menos de dos años, resulta fatalmente herido en Romsey Road, Winchester, fuera del cuartel general de la policía, cuando, junto con otros oficiales, intenta detener un caballo fugitivo y una trampa. Aplastado contra una pared, muere varios días después de sus heridas y luego es enterrado en la parcela de la familia Fellowes en el cementerio Westhill, Winchester. ^[13]
• 1914 - En Andover , el encarcelamiento de una madre y una hija provoca disturbios que involucran a multitudes de hasta dos mil personas. Los oficiales locales buscan la ayuda de los bomberos que son apedreados y se retiran a su estación. La llegada de oficiales montados de Basingstoke no logra sofocar los disturbios y solo después de tres días los oficiales adicionales reclutados desde otras estaciones ponen fin al desorden. ^[14]
• 1915 - La policía de Southampton nombra a dos mujeres policías; no fueron certificadas pero sirvieron en uniforme. La señorita Annette Tate fue una de ellas ^{[15] [16]}
• 1929 - La policía de Hampshire adquiere su primer vehículo de patrulla motorizado: una combinación de motocicleta BSA. ^[17]
• 1943 - La policía de la ciudad de Winchester y la policía de la Isla de Wight se ven obligados a fusionarse con Hampshire como medida de tiempo de guerra. La fusión se hizo permanente en 1947. ^[18]
• 1944 - Designación de inspectora de mujeres: Miss P Yates. ^[19]
• 1957 - El 1 de abril, el nombre de la fuerza cambió de la Policía de Hampshire a la Policía de Hampshire y la Isla de Wight ^[11]
• 1967 - La policía de Southampton y la policía de Portsmouth se fusionaron con la fuerza del condado de Hampshire (Watt 1967)
• 1970 - El Festival de la Isla de Wight se lleva a cabo en Afton Down y atrae a grandes multitudes, estimaciones que varían de quinientas a seiscientas mil personas, que son testigos de la que sería la última actuación de Jimi Hendrix en el Reino Unido ; morirá menos de tres semanas después. ^[20] A pesar de la gran cantidad de gente, el ambiente es relajado y con solo 500 oficiales para vigilar el evento, el jefe de policía, Sir Douglas Osmond, se viste con ropa informal y se sienta con la multitud. ^[21] Informa a la investigación pública posterior que la prensa parece descontenta de que haya sido tan pacífica.
• 1972 - Un coche bomba, que contiene aproximadamente 130 kg de explosivo, detona fuera del comedor de oficiales en el Cuartel General de la 16ª Brigada de Paracaidistas en Aldershot . Siete civiles mueren y otros diecinueve resultan gravemente heridos. El Ejército Republicano Irlandés Oficial se atribuye la responsabilidad de la explosión al día siguiente. Una importante investigación criminal, dirigida personalmente por Det. Ch. Supt. Cyril Holdaway, entonces jefe del CID de la fuerza, logra identificar a los atacantes y los tres son sentenciados en el Tribunal de la Corona de Winchester más tarde ese mismo año. ^{[22] [23]}
• 1982 - Havant Policing Scheme, iniciado por el entonces jefe de policía John Duke, enfatiza la necesidad de vincular la tecnología de la comunicación con los oficiales de asalto. ^[24]
• 1984–1985 – The Miners' Strike. Along with other forces Hampshire contribute officers, under the umbrella of "mutual aid" to police large picket lines supporting the miners' strike. Hampshire officers are the first to be flown into the strike areas.
• 1985 – The force aircraft, an Optica, crashes on the outskirts of Ringwood killing the crew – PC Gerry Spencer (pilot) and DC Malcolm Wiltshire (observer).
• 1987 – Introduction of tape recording of interviews with suspects to replace hand written interview notes. One of the first forces in the country to introduce tape recorded interviews. Rolled out across Hampshire over a year.^[25]
• 1988 – Introduction of new hand held PFX radio system with four control centres. Hampshire became the first force to leave the Home Office radio communications scheme.^[26]
• 2006 – On 15 May, Hampshire Constabulary launches the new single, non-emergency telephone number (SNEN), 101, as an alternative to 999. It is intended for reporting less serious or anti-social offences.^[27]
• 2010 – On 13 February, twelve people are seriously injured outside St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton during clashes between rival supporters of Southampton FC & Portsmouth FC playing a South Coast Derby football match.
• 2011 – On 22 May, the force seeks assistance from Marwell Wildlife Park, near Winchester when it receives reports of the sighting of what is believed to be a white tiger seen in undergrowth in the Hedge End area of Southampton. The tiger turns out to be a life-size cuddly toy.^[28]
• 2011 – During the 2011 England riots, Hampshire is the fourth UK Police force, after Thames Valley, Essex, Bedfordshire and City of London Police, to supply ten Force Support Units to the Metropolitan Police to assist in maintaining order in the capital^{[citation needed]}. In Hampshire, individuals on some social-media sites attempt to incite public disorder, mainly in Southampton, but this is prevented by the police encouraging shops to close early and placing over five hundred officers in Southampton City Centre^{[citation needed]}
• 2014 – Hampshire Constabulary in international news after obtaining a European arrest warrant leading to the arrest in Spain of the parents of Ashya King (who had removed their seriously ill son from a Southampton hospital in order to get treatment abroad).^[29]
• 2017 – In September, the constabulary sent officers to the British Virgin Islands to help maintain law and order and assist with relief efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma.^[30]
• 2021 – In January, the Constabulary dismissed five officers after secret recordings were made of racism and sexism in a Crime Unit at Basingstoke.^[31]
• 2021 – In February, the Constabulary dismissed Chief Specials Officer Tom Haye for Gross Misconduct after he had used the term pikey in a private message to a 'friend'.^[32]

Chief Constables

• 1839–1842 - Captain George Robbins
• 1842–1856 - Captain William C. Harris
• 1856–1891 - Captain John Henry Forrest
• 1891–1893 - Captain Peregrine Henry Thomas Fellowes (killed on duty)
• 1894–1928 - Major St Andrew Bruce Warde
• 1928–1942 - Major Ernest Radcliffe Cockburn
• 1942–1962 - Sir Richard Dawnay Lemon
• 1962–1977 - Sir Douglas Osmond
• 1977–1988 - Sir John Duke
• 1988–1999 - Sir John Hoddinott
• 1999–2008 - Paul Kernaghan
• 2008–2013 - Alex Marshall
• 2013–2016 - Andy Marsh
• 2016–present - Olivia Pinkney

Structure

Chief Officer Group

As of May 2018, the force has the following chief officers, each of whom is a member of the National Police Chiefs' Council:

• Chief Constable: Olivia Pinkney
• Deputy Chief Constable: Sara Glen
• Assistant Chief Constable
• Assistant Chief Constable (Local Policing): Scott Chilton
• Assistant Chief Constable (Crime, Criminal Justice and Intelligence): Ben Snuggs^[33]

Police and Crime Commissioner

The force is overseen by an elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) on non-operational matters (i.e. budget and priorities).^[34] The current Hampshire PCC is Michael Lane, of the Conservative Party, who was elected in May 2016.^[35]

Operational Commands (strands)

In 2016, Hampshire Constabulary announced a "new-look policing model" which organised its resources into four functional command sections (known internally as strands), each commanded by a chief superintendent.^[36] It also merged the six local policing divisions known as Operational Command Units (OCUs) into three Policing divisions known as the Northern, Eastern and Western areas.

This reorganisation fundamentally changed how the force operated at all levels which lead to it introducing a "borderless" model for response teams, rather than it being operationally confined to smaller districts as it was in the days of Operational Command Units (OCUs). The aim is to make sure that the nearest police unit is always sent to an incident.

The core policing activities are organised into four Operational Command sections: Intelligence, Tasking and Development, Prevention and Neighbourhoods, Response and Patrol and Investigations. There is also another section of specialised officers called the Joint Operations Unit, which is a joint unit with Thames Valley Police.

Intelligence, Tasking and Development

This strand has units for handling intelligence, forecasting demand and monitoring police performance.

Prevention and Neighbourhoods

This strand focuses on preventative and community policing. It is organised based on local government, with each local authority area having a "local commander", sometimes shared. These are superintendents for the three unitary authorities (Southampton, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight) and chief inspectors for the non-metropolitan districts of Hampshire.^[37] The Neighbourhood policing teams (NPTs) are aligned with council wards.^[38] It also includes safeguarding units, partnership units and police initiatives such as Hampshire Horsewatch and Countrywatch.

• Hampshire Horsewatch

In an effort to maintain equine-oriented crime at low levels, the force supports a Horsewatch programme (started 1992) to raise awareness of crime, including the theft of animals, equipment and vehicles. The force's Equine Liaison Officers who liaise with the equine community perform their duties voluntarily.^[39]

• Countrywatch

CountryWatch^[40] is continuing programme of policing operations with the objective of tackling crime in the rural communitiese such as theft, poaching, fly-tipping and the use of nuisance vehicles. The programme promotes reassurance and communication, particularly between rural and neighbourhood officers. ACC Laura Nicholson is the national ACPO-lead, for CountryWatch.

Response and Patrol (R&P)

This strand makes up the majority of police officers on duty at any given time. Their primary roles are to respond to the incoming emergency calls and to proactively patrol to prevent and detect crime. Student officers who have successfully completed their training at the Support & Training Headquarters are stationed at one of the patrol hubs initially before undertaking further training with other commands. This strand is the main user of the centralised, borderless model. Officers start and end their shifts at a patrol hub but are not officially confined to any subdivision of Hampshire while at work. The strand also includes call handlers and control room staff who work very closely with the police officers on the ground.

This section is filled mostly with skilled and experienced police officers who become highly trained police vehicle response drivers (as not all police officers are trained or allowed to drive with lights and sirens activated). They also make up the largest number of Taser carriers in the force who often deal more serious incidents usually involving weapons that are not firearms or an unacceptable level of risk that requires a justifiable use of force.

Investigations

This strand consists of the criminal investigation department and custody staff. The investigation strand is more centralised than before the reorganisation; with its detectives, other officers and police staff investigators (PSIs) being based at the four police stations with regularly-used custody suites:

• The Northern Police Investigation Centre in Basingstoke
• Southampton Central Police Station
• Eastern Police Investigation Centre in Portsmouth
• Newport Police Station on the Isle of Wight.

Within each PIC you will find specialist departments. These include a rape investigation teams, child abuse, major crime teams alongside the Investigation department (formerly CID).

This strand also contains special units that are set up to combat particular crime areas such as cyber crime or drug related violence (Operation Fortress).

Joint Operations Unit (JOU)

This section consists of the units that are shared with Thames Valley Police. These include the road policing units, training sections, firearms units and dog units of the two forces. The Joint Operations Unit is overseen by an assistant chief constable, who is a joint employee of both forces.

Roads Policing Unit (RPU)

The Roads Policing Unit patrol some 220 miles of motorway and trunk roads in the two counties. This is made up of large sections of the M3, all of the M27, the M271 & the M275 together with parts of the A3, A27, A31, A34 and A303.^[41]

In addition to providing an emergency response to incidents on the road its work is directed towards reducing casualties and offending and in particular at disrupting the activities of travelling criminals.

The unit operates from 3 bases: Havant (near the M27 and M275), Totton (near the M271 and M27) and Whitchurch (near the M3 & A34).

As part of the programme of sharing resources (and thereby reducing costs) agreed between the two forces in late 2010, Hampshire's Roads Policing Unit commenced joint operations with Thames Valley Police's RPU in January 2012.^[42] The combined unit is overseen by the Joint Operations Unit.

Dog Support Unit (DSU)

Hampshire Constabulary acquired its first two dogs in 1959. The force now has a variety of dogs in use across the two counties, working 24-hours a day. The Unit, based at the Support headquarters at Netley, near Southampton. Dogs are trained in a variety of skills including passive drug searching, searches for firearms, explosives, ammunition, and currency. The dogs are also trained to locate people in a variety of situations. For example, they are able to find people who are trapped in collapsed buildings.

Armed Response Vehicles (ARV) and Tactical Firearms Support Units

Hampshire's Firearms Units provides suitably trained and equipped officers to respond to incidents involving the criminal use of firearms through its Armed Response Vehicles (ARV) and tactical teams. The force has many ARV's (With both Police liveried and unmarked variants - a marked ARV is distinguishable from other police vehicles as it has big and bright coloured asterisk [*] stickers that are displayed on all four corners of the vehicle) and they usually contain 2 or 3 Police Officers that are specially trained Authorised Firearms Officers or AFOs. Many tactical options are available to the ARV's as they contain (either upon the AFOs or inside the ARV itself) shields, advanced lifesaving equipment and their firearms which include pistols, carbines incendiary devices and less than lethal options such as Tasers, baton and baton gun. The units have a permanent staff of instructors, administrators and the Force Armourer, who is responsible for the safe storage, maintenance and record keeping for each of the force's firearms.

Marine Unit

The Marine Unit provides a specialist resource to the force and a policing presence along the 253 miles of navigable coastline of the two counties.^[43] In addition, the unit is responsible for the investigation of marine incidents and supporting the work of the UK Border Agency, HM Coastguard and the harbour authorities.^[44]The unit comprises a Sergeant and six Constables and has two tactical rigid inflatables, one semi-displacement patrol launch and various land-based patrol vehicles. The ribs and launches are:

• Police Launch Commander, a 12m catamaran
• Police RIB Protector, a 7.8m tactical RIB
• Police RIB Pursuer, a 7.8m, tactical RIB.

Mutual Aid Support Team (MAST)

The Mutual Aid Support Team, consists of Police Officers that have taken on further training to deal with less routine incidents such as large scale or more violent public disorder or Policing events where it is likely to occur. In other forces MAST is sometimes known as the Territorial Support Group or L2.

Other support units

There are many units that support the above Operational units, which include: the Planning and Policy Unit, The Critical Incident Cadre (which is designed to provide tactical support in the event of any major incident within the force area),^[45] the Scientific Services unit (which consists of the Crime Scene Investigators), Special Branch and both the Serious Organised Crime and Major Crime units.

Police stations

Southampton Central Police Station

The facilities that Hampshire Constabulary operate from have a variety of names, depending on their function. The following police stations and other facilities are open to the general public and offer front counter services.^[46]

• Mottisfont Court, Winchester (Operational HQ)
• Northern Police Investigation Centre, Basingstoke (Custody Suite)
• Aldershot
• Andover
• Eastern Police Investigation Centre, Portsmouth - Opened 2019 (Custody Suite)^[47]
• Havant
• Gosport
• Fareham
• Newport (Custody Suite)
• Southampton Central (Custody Suite)
• Portswood

There are normally four custody suites in operation where persons under arrest or requiring an interview are taken. Some police stations have custody suites that are not in regular use but can be reopened in times of operational need.

Other locations

These buildings listed are not open to the general public without appointment and do not offer front counter services.^[48]

Other headquarters

• Eastleigh (Strategic HQ)
• Netley (Support & Training HQ)

Police hubs

• Alton
• Basingstoke
• Bishops Waltham
• Cosham
• Hedge End
• Park Gate
• Romsey
• Ryde
• Shanklin
• Tadley
• Totton
• Whitchurch
• Winnall
• Yateley

Neighbourhood Police Office locations

• Alresford - Alresford Fire Station
• Basingstoke - Parklands Civic Offices
• Cowes - Cowes Fire Station
• Farnborough - Rushmoor Borough Council Offices
• Gosport - Gosport Town Hall
• Fleet - Hart District Council Offices, Harlington Way
• Fordingbridge - The Old School House, Provost Street
• Hayling Island - Hayling Island Library
• Longmoor - The Eco Station, Bordon
• New Forest - Hardley Fire Station
• New Milton - New Milton Town Hall
• Petersfield - East Hampshire District Council, Penns Place
• Ringwood - Ringwood Fire Station
• Shirley - Shirley & Redbridge Fire Station
• Southampton - Southampton City Council Offices
• Southsea - Southsea Fire Station
• Stockbridge - Stockbridge Fire Station
• Ventnor - Ventnor Enterprise Centre
• Yarmouth - Harbour Master Commissioner's Office

Uniform, equipment and vehicles

Headgear

Helmet - Constable

Helmet - Sergeant

Male constables and sergeants of Hampshire Constabulary wear the traditional comb-style custodian helmet when on foot patrol. However, Hampshire is one of only three other UK forces that does not use the common Brunswick star style force badge, favouring instead a large metal plate that mirrors the county crest, depicting a laurel wreath enclosing a crowned rose above a banner that reads 'Hampshire'.

The helmets worn by constables have larger helmet plates of uncoloured white metal whilst those worn by sergeants have slightly smaller helmet plates that includes blue and red enamelled detail on the crown, rose and county title. The helmet plate worn by constables is the largest of all those worn by forces in England and Wales and ensures that they stand out in the company of officers from other areas.

Officers wear a peaked cap with black and white chequered hat band when on mobile patrol in vehicles whilst Roads Policing Unit (RPU) officers wear a similar cap with a white top. Female officers wear a bowler hat (with black and white chequered hat band), or a similar bowler hat for female RPU officers but with a white top. PCSO's wear peaked caps with a blue hat band. Each of these caps have smaller versions of the helmet plate.

Officers holding the rank of Police Inspector or above wear peaked caps.

Uniform

When on duty, Frontline Police Officers wear a black, wicking T-shirt with the word 'Police' on the sleeves, and black uniform trousers. Hampshire officers no longer use the traditional police jumper, having favoured a black fleece with 'Police' written on the chest and back. Hampshire officers do not have Brunswick stars on their epaulettes, just the rank insignia if a Police Inspector or above, rank insignia and collar number for a Police Sergeant and just a collar number for a Police Constable.^[49] The Special Constabulary adopt the same standards as their regular counterparts, and in 2019 changed their rank insignia to match their regular counterparts. PCSOs wear a similar uniform, however instead of a black, wicking shirt they wear blue wicking shirts.

Formal dress comprises an open-necked tunic, with white shirt and black tie for both male and female officers. Constables and Sergeants wear custodian helmet's and collar numbers on their epaulettes, officers above these ranks wear peaked caps, name badges and their rank on their epaulettes. The No.1 uniform is accompanied by black boots or shoes and occasionally black gloves, or brown gloves for the rank of Inspector and above. Special Constables recently wore white gloves with their tunics at the 175 Special Constabulary anniversary celebration, held at Winchester cathedral.

Hampshire Constabulary also list leggings as part an optional piece of uniform.^[50]

Personal equipment

Hampshire Constabulary officers are required to wear a stab vest whilst on patrol. Hampshire officers generally wear black stab vests, although some officers wear fluorescent yellow stab vests for activities such as cycling. In addition, officers carry TETRA digital radios, Body Worn Video, rigid handcuffs, incapacitant spray, the ASP 21" collapsible baton, leg restraints, a resuscitation mask and a basic first aid kit.^[51] PCSO's do not carry ASPs, handcuffs, leg restraints or incapacitant spray.

Police vehicles may contain a variety of equipment, which can include traffic cones, road signs, breathalyzers, HOSTYD, speed guns, defibrillator, advanced first aid kit and the like.

Vehicles and livery

Hampshire Constabulary uses a wide selection of vehicles for their individual capabilities and the requirements of the roles for which they are employed.

Previous Hampshire Police vehicles' Livery.

Current Hampshire Police Livery Battenburg markings.

Hampshire Constabulary BMW X5 displaying the battenberg markings.

Historically, the force had used a distinctive vehicle paint scheme of retro-reflective red and white diagonal stripes above a retro-reflective chequered blue and white band. Since 2005, the standard yellow and blue retro-reflective battenberg markings, together with the force crest on the bonnet, on all marked, operational vehicles.

Aircraft

Aviation support is provided by the National Police Air Service established in 2012. Hampshire Constabulary had established an Air Support Unit in 1989 operating a fixed wing Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander from a former Royal Naval Air Station at Lee-on-the-Solent.^[52][53] In March 2001, the Islander was replaced by a Britten-Norman Defender 4000.^[52][54][53] In 2010, the Air Support Unit was disbanded following a decision to establish a joint South East Air Support Unit with Sussex Police and Surrey Police operating two helicopters.^[55]

Strength and recruitment

As of March 2017, Hampshire Constabulary has 2,896 police officers, 364 Special constables, 304 designated officers, 385 Police community support officers and 1,421 police staff.^[56] By comparison, in 2010, the force had 3,748 police officers, 337 PCSOs and 2,424 police staff. The force has reduced its workforce by 23% since 2010, compared to the national average of 15%. This has led to some criticism from various sources around central government funding for the force.^[57][58][59]

Training for new recruits in Hampshire is conducted at the Support and Training Headquarters at Netley. For Constables it consists of 15 weeks intensive training and a two-year probationary period that contains further structured training. For PCSOs it consists of 6 weeks training and a 1-year probationary period. For Special Constables it consists of 7 months of training during weeknights and weekends, and a two-year probationary period or less, dependent on the number of tours of duty.

Student Police Officer recruits in Hampshire attest to serve the Queen in the office of constable in the presence of a Magistrate, thereby becoming Servants of the Crown, and receive their warrant card. This attestation and issuing of uniform is usually completed during the first week of training.

Once the initial training period is over they are stationed at a Response and Patrol base for further training with a Police Officer that is also a trained tutor (known as a Professional Development Officer) who will look after and guide them for another 20 weeks.

Performance

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary

Previous results of inspections by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary are published below:^[60]

PEEL category	Report date	Topic	Rating
Effectiveness	22 March 2018	Overall	Good
		Investigating crime	Good
		Preventing crime	Good
		Protecting vulnerable people	Good
		Tackling serious/organised crime	Good
		Specialist capabilities	not rated
Efficiency	9 November 2017	Overall	Good
		Forecasting demand	Good
		Use of resources	Good
		Planning for future demand	Good
Legitimacy	12 December 2017	Overall	Good
		Fairness towards the public	Good
		Maintaining ethical behaviour	Good
		Fairness towards employees	Good

In November 2014 a HMIC report on crime recording found Hampshire Constabulary failed to record, as crime, 40% of incidents, one of the three worst force performances in the country.^[61] A subsequent inspection by HCIM in 2018 showed that the overall crime recording rate had significantly increased to 91.3% of reported crimes being recorded as such.^[62]

Independent Office for Police Conduct

The Professional Standards department of the force investigate the majority of complaints made against police. However, details of complaints received are notified to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which is a non-departmental public body responsible for overseeing the system for handling complaints made against police forces throughout England and Wales. The IOPC may choose to manage or supervise investigations conducted into complaints and may conduct the investigations themselves in the most serious cases. The IOPC sets the standards of the investigation of complaints against police and also acts as the appeals body in cases where members of the public are dissatisfied with the way in which a police force has handled their complaint.

In the period April 2011 to December 2011, complaints and allegations made against officers of Hampshire Constabulary had decreased from the previous year (previous years figures in brackets). Hampshire's overall complaints rate of 181 (206) per 1,000 employees is slightly above the national average of 172 (159) per 1,000 employees. In that period Hampshire were above national average for complaints concerning 'Neglect or Failure in duty' and 'Oppressive Conduct or Harassment'. Of all complaints received during the period 0% (1%) were discontinued - national average 1% - some 5% (3%) were dispensed - national average 7% - and 6% (5%) were withdrawn - national average 10%). Of the total, 13% (11%) of complaints were found to have 'substantiated finding', 3% lower than the national average.^[63]

Stonewall Workplace Equality Index

The Stonewall Workplace Equality Index is an annual index of UK employers completed by the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) rights charity Stonewall. Through their submissions to Stonewall, Hampshire Constabulary were consistently high performers on the index from 2006–2013, scoring no lower than 15th place overall. In 2009 and 2010 the Constabulary were 2nd place in Top Employer category. In 2017 the Constabulary were still in the top 100 at 65th (Leicestershire was the top police employer).^[64]

In popular culture

The crime fiction writer Graham Hurley draws on his knowledge of Hampshire Constabulary, and in particular Portsmouth CID, for his series of police procedural novels. Set in Portsmouth and revolving around the fictional Detective Inspector Joe Faraday they portray a gritty picture of the city and its crime.^[65]

Ruth Rendell's series of crime novels are set in the fictional town of Kingsmarkham. In the books the town is described as being in Sussex, however when the books were televised, Romsey was chosen as the setting for the location filming. Inspector Wexford is often seen wearing a Hampshire Constabulary tie and warrant card badge. Hampshire Constabulary authorised the use of the force logo and have provided props and material for the series.^[66]

A retired Hampshire detective anonymously published Welcome to the Farce'; in 2018, recounting his service in the years leading up to his retirement. He used the pen name Detective Miggins and called the Constabulary 'Bullshire'.^[67]

Hampshire Constabulary has featured in various series of Traffic Cops, an occasional BBC One documentary. The programme focuses on the work of Hampshire's Roads Policing officers and highlights issues relating to road safety and reducing the number of road deaths and serious injuries.

The day-to-day work of Hampshire Constabulary featured in some 69 episodes, spanning three series, of the popular BBC 1 observational documentary, Real Rescues.^[68] This series first aired on BBC 1 in October 2007^[69]

The three-part, Channel 4 documentary, The Force followed the work of Hampshire detectives during the investigation of three serious crimes in the county. The first episode followed the progress of an enquiry into the murder of a woman whose body had been found in a field near Basingstoke^[70] whilst the second revealed the work of Hampshire's dedicated rape unit during a live investigation in Portsmouth.^[71] The last programme featured a re-investigation of the arson of a block of flats in Portsmouth as a result of which a young man died.^[72]

See also

• Law enforcement in the United Kingdom
• List of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom, Crown dependencies and British Overseas Territories
• List of police forces of the United Kingdom

Sources

• Dixon, B. (2006). A very special force: 175th Anniversary of Hampshire Special Constabulary. Hampshire Constabulary publication.
• Lee, J., Peake, C.,Stevens, D and Williams, C (2001). Policing Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Chichester, Phillimore. ISBN 1-86077-196-3
• Miggins, Detective (2018). Welcome to the Farce. Leicestershire, Matador. ISBN 978-1789014-914
• Syms, Diana (2019). Policing Petersfield 1840-2016. Petersfield Museum. ISBN 978-0-9934528-2-6
• Watt, I. A. (1967). A history of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary 1839–1966. Winchester, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.
• Williams, C (2012) 111 years policing Winchester Hampshire Constabulary History Society . ISBN 978-0-9568508-0-5
• Williams, C (2016) Women policing Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 1915-2016 Hampshire Constabulary History Society. ISBN 978-0-9568508-1-2

References

1. "Tables for 'Police workforce, England and Wales, 31 March 2015". HM Government. Office for National Statistics. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
2. Home Office, 2008 "Hampshire Police performance 2007/8". Archived from the original on 11 December 2009.
3. https://www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/consultations/budget-consultation#:~:text=The%20Police%20and%20Crime%20Commissioner's,to%20directly%20support%20local%20policing.
4. "Police workforce, England and Wales: 30 September 2020". GOV.UK. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
5. Hampshire Constabulary, 2012 "Hampshire Constabulary Jurisdiction Map". Retrieved 27 April 2012
6. Rimell, William. "Police move to new base". Hampshire Chronicle. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
7. Williams, Clifford (2012) '111 years policing Winchester'
8. Hampshire Constabulary History Society "A Brief Summary of the History of the Hampshire Constabulary". Retrieved 2 May 2012
9. Weeke History "Hampshire Police Headquarters". Retrieved 27 April 2012
10. Dixon (2006)
11. Hampshire Constabulary General Orders no 26 1957 available in Hampshire Record office.
12. The Thin Blue Line, Police Council for Great Britain Staff Side Claim for Undermanning Supplements, 1965
13. History of Yorkshire Aircraft, 2012 "Squadron Commander Peregrine Fellowes RNAS". Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2012
14. Andover Fire Brigade History, 2012 "Turned out to Riot". Retrieved 2 May 2012
15. Frontline Magazine of Hampshire Constabulary Issue 181 November 2013
16. A History of Women policing Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 1915-2016 by Clifford Williams (2016)
17. Hampshire Constabulary History Society "Hampshire Police 20th Century Timeline". Retrieved 2 May 2012
18. 111 years policing Winchester by Clifford Williams (2012)
19. Constabulary General Orders 30 June 1944 (Hampshire Record Office)
20. Isle of Wight Festival History, 2012 "Festival 1970". Archived from the original on 11 March 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2012
21. UK Rock Festivals, 2012 "Entry is free at the easygoing pop festival". Retrieved 2 May 2012
22. Time Magazine, 1972 "NORTHERN IRELAND: Now, Bloody Tuesday". Time. 6 March 1972. Retrieved 2 May 2012
23. Get Hampshire, 2012"The day terrorists struck in the Home of the British Army". Retrieved 2 May 2012
24. Neyroud, Peter. "Community Policing", Policing (2007) 1(2):127-129
25. The News Portsmouth 9 Sep 1987 page 5
26. Police review Vol 96 no 4943 Jan 1988 'A new era in police radio'.
27. Frontline (Force newspaper), June 2006.
28. Gabbatt, Adam (22 May 2011). "White Tiger Toy Scare Causes Hampshire Police Alert". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
29. The Guardian 3.9.2014 'Ashya King's parents: we told hospital we would take our son abroad Parents of boy with brain tumour say hospital knew 'from the beginning' of their intention to seek alternative treatment'
30. "Hampshire police officers sent to help local forces after Hurricane Irma". Daily Echo. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
31. Five police officers have been dismissed after covert recording equipment uncovered a “toxic” culture at an organised crime unit where abhorrent racist, sexist and homophobic language was the “stock in trade” reported The Times8 Jan 2021
32. Fishwick, Ben (12 February 2021). "Hampshire police chief officer sacked for using derogatory term about travellers in WhatsApp message". The News. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
33. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
34. http://www.apccs.police.uk/role-of-the-pcc/
35. http://www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/
36. Operational change program
37. "Local commanders". Hampshire Constabulary. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
38. Details of the new-look policing model can be found in Frontline Issue 187.
39. Hampshire Constabulary, 2012 "Hampshire Horsewatch". Retrieved 2 May 2012
40. Hampshire Constabulary, 2012 "CountryWatch". Retrieved 2 May 2012
41. Hampshire Constabulary, 2012 "Roads Policing Unit". Retrieved 27 April 2012
42. BBC News, 2012 "Hampshire and Thames Valley Police forces to begin joint work". BBC News. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2012
43. "Marine Crime Prevention" (PDF). Retrieved 5 May 2012
44. Hampshire Constabulary, 2012 "Marine Support Unit". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012
45. Hampshire Constabulary, 2012 "Critical Incident (Silver Control) Cadre Procedure" (PDF). Retrieved 27 April 2012
46. "Find a police station - Hampshire Constabulary". www.hampshire.police.uk. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
47. "New eastern Police Investigation Centre announced - Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner". www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk.
48. "Other force locations - Hampshire Constabulary". www.hampshire.police.uk. Archived from the original on 11 March 2018.
49. Daily Echo, 2009 "Police officers switch collar and tie for sports top". Retrieved 2 May 2012
50. Hampshire Constabulary, 2012 "Uniform Standards of Dress" (PDF).
51. Watt, I. A. (1967). A history of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary 1839–1966. Winchester, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.
52. "Air Support Unit". Hampshire Constabulary. Archived from the original on 18 July 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2005.
53. "New B-N "Defender 4000" for Hants Police". Britten-Norman (Press release). 26 February 2001. Archived from the original on 30 June 2001.
54. "Defender 4000 Ordered by Hampshire Police". Britten-Norman (Press release). 22 April 1999. Archived from the original on 12 October 1999.
55. "Police Air Support – South East Regional Collaboration". Lee Flying Association. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
56. "Police workforce, England and Wales: 31 March 2017 - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
57. "Hampshire police funding row reignites in wake of London terror attack". www.portsmouth.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
58. "Police bosses join forces to tackle funding shortfall". ITV News. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
59. "Hampshire Police Federation". www.hampshirepolfed.org.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
60. HMICFRS
61. Crime-recording: Making the victim count. HMIC 2014
62. https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/publications/hampshire-constabulary-crime-data-integrity-inspection-2018/
63. Independent Police Complaints Commission, "Police Complaints Information Bulletin, April to December 2011" (PDF). Retrieved 2 May 2012
64. "Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2017" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2013.
65. Graham Hurley, 2012 "Graham Hurley". Retrieved 2 May 2012
66. Inspector Wexford "Inspector Wexford: The Ruth Rendell Mysteries, starring George Baker and Christopher Ravenscroft". Retrieved 2 May 2012
67. Detective Miggins Welcome to the Farce Matador, Leicestershire 2018. ISBN 978 1789014 914
68. Avalon TV, 2012 "Real Life Rescues". Retrieved 27 April 2012
69. Addic7ed, 2012 "Real Life Rescues". Retrieved 27 April 2012
70. Channel 4 TV, 2012 "The Force: Episode 1". Retrieved 27 April 2012
71. Channel 4 TV, 2012 "The Force: Episode 2". Retrieved 27 April 2012
72. Channel 4 TV, 2012 "The Force: Episode 3". Retrieved 27 April 2012

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hampshire Constabulary.

• Official website
• Hampshire Constabulary at Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services
• Hampshire Constabulary History Society website