Information about the Road Crime Team

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.030153

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. What are the letters on the epaulettes assigned to? (I.E NW/Northwest, VF/Violent Crime Task Force). Please list all for BCU/OCU(s) and operations/teams/units if able.

2. What are the specific duties of the Road Crime Team? How is one recruited into the team? What are some of the operations that are conducted by the road crime team? Do some officers wear plainclothes during thier duties, if so when and why? Do they receive additional training on top of becoming advanced drivers with TPAC training?

3. What are the signs in the rear windscreen of the vehicle used to identify? I understand RAPTOR is apart of RCT, but recently I have seen "OC##", "BX##", etc. If able can you list all of the names/abbreviations that would be on signs posted on the rear windscreen.

4 .What is the uniform policy for the Roads and Transport Policing Command (MO8)? Do some officers deviate from utilizing the standard white shirt and black stabvest? Are there different uniform policies for specific teams within MO8?

5. Is there some type of standard operating procedure or training guidelines relating to the Roads and Transport Policing Command that can be given to the public? Specifically about day-to-day operations, incident management, cordons, etc?

6. Does the Roads and Transport Policing Command have Detective Constables, or others who wouldn't be considered a "Traffic Constables"? If so, which teams hold these positions and how are they recruited from within the Met Operations 8?

7. What are the differences in calls that would be taken by officers apart of Met Operations 8 compared to those apart of frontline policing? How often do they work together on the same calls?

8. What are the types of callsigns used by specific branches on the radio? (I.E OT/ON for specific traffic cars). Can a spreadsheet be made showing the callsigns of different branches/teams or operations? Do ERPT use their BCU as a part of their callsign? Are their different callsigns for officers on foot rather than in cars?

9. Do officers still utilitze state codes on the radio? (I.E State 1, state 2). If so what are all of the state codes? What are the IC codes used on the radio? Are their any more abbreviations used on the radio that can be listed without compromising operations?

10. What are the differences between ERPT and Safer Transport Team Constables, I see they wear the same uniform and use the same vehicles besides the traffic epaulette and being apart of the Roads and Transport Policing Command. I've also heard that STT does vehicle checks and seizes vehicles, do these duties conflict with traffic constables apart of the Roads Policing Unit?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:

Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement

Reason for decision

Before I explain the decisions that I have made in relation to your request, I thought that it would be helpful to outline the parameters set out by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act), within which a request for information can be answered. The Act creates a statutory right of access to information held by public authorities. A public authority in respect of a request must, if permitted, state under Section 1(a) of the Act, whether it holds the requested information and, if held, then communicate that information to the applicant under Section 1(b) of the Act.

The right of access to information is not without exception and is subject to a number of exemptions which are designed to enable public authorities to withhold information that is unsuitable for release. Importantly, the Act is designed to place information into the public domain, that is, once access to information is granted to one person under the Act, it is then considered public information and must be communicated to any individual should a request be received.

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Question 8 has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure (Section 31(1)(a)(b).

Section 31(1)(a)(b) - Law Enforcement - In deliberating whether or not this information should be disclosed, I have considered the potential harm that could be caused by disclosure.

Call signs are assigned to specific units, vehicles or officers. Call signs are used to make contact so that they can be directed to incidents. As such, the use of call signs will identify where those units, vehicles or officers are at a specific time.

To release call signs would reveal tactical capability, as outlined above. These tactical capabilities could be negatively used, should those with negative intentions be used to gain access to a police radio, to disrupt local policing, avoid detection and negatively affect the MPS law enforcement function.

The release of operational tactics relating to a specific borough would furnish individuals or groups having the necessary intent to disrupt police activity with the necessary information to effectively do just that, thereby hindering future operational activity.

This would consequently increase the capability for criminals to target innocent members of the public. Any release of information that would be likely to prejudice a police services' ability to prevent and/or detect crime could only be viewed as being harmful to members of the public.

To disclose information on call signs would reveal tactical capability and would place the MPS at a tactical disadvantage as outlined in the harm above. It cannot be in the public interest to disclose information which would undermine our ability to detect crime and bring offenders to justice. As detailed within the 'harm', this would be a valuable asset to individuals and/or organisations wishing to commit crimes. The infiltration of police communication/intelligence systems would disrupt the deployment of units and officers to any crime which, in turn, would enable offenders to destroy evidence and evade apprehension.

I would like to take this opportunity to add that we have in the past released call signs under the FOIA. However with the passage of time we have radically changed our call sign structure and policy. Therefore information in the public domain is therefore obsolete and of little operational value. The new approach we have adopted better identifies the skills and capabilities of a particular unit, which could be of intelligence value to a person or persons with criminal or malicious intent. Knowledge of these skills and capabilities could therefore provide those with malicious intent to form some form of attack on an operational unit, or avoiding that unit etc. It is for these reasons that I have applied section 31(1)(a)(b) of the Act to the information being requested.

As crime prevention/detection is in the 'public's interest', any release of information which would be likely to prejudice our ability to prevent and/or detect crime could only be viewed as being harmful to the public interest.

I consider that the benefit that would result from the information being disclosed does not outweigh disclosing information relating to the number of officers deployed on these specific dates. Therefore, this information is exempt.

Disclosure

Please see below and attached responses to questions 1 to 7 and 9 to 10

Q1 - What are the letters on the epaulettes assigned to? (I.E NW/Northwest, VF/Violent Crime Task Force). Please list all for BCU/OCU(s) and operations/teams/units if able.

Letters on epaulettes are BCU identifiers:
WA – West Area
AS – Central South
SN – South Area
SW – South West
SE – South East
EA – East Area
CE – Central East
CN – Central North
NE – North East
NW – North West
NA – North Area
AW – Central West

Q2 - What are the specific duties of the Road Crime Team? How is one recruited into the team? What are some of the operations that are conducted by the road crime team? Do some officers wear plainclothes during thier duties, if so when and why? Do they receive additional training on top of becoming advanced drivers with TPAC training?

The role of the Road Crime Team is to contribute to MO8’s Vision Zero objectives by preventing and detecting crime on London’s Priority Roads. In addition, the Road Crime Team provide support to the Roads Policing Teams by answering calls, and assisting BCUs at priority crime locations via the Coordination and Tasking Process. Officers patrol in Uniform in order to enact legislation under the Road Traffic Act. Road crime teams participate in many Operations across London which are concentrated on reducing crime and increasing public confidence. Road Crime Team Officers receive additional training similar to Roads Policing Teams, such as Fast Road Response, Field Impairment Testing and Nuts and Bolts Courses.

Q3 - What are the signs in the rear windscreen of the vehicle used to identify? I understand RAPTOR is apart of RCT, but recently I have seen "OC##", "BX##", etc. If able can you list all of the names/abbreviations that would be on signs posted on the rear windscreen

The signs on the rear windscreen are the same as the roof markings. These are unique codes that allow for a visual idenification of a vehicle from above (helicopter) and on ground.

Attached is a previously released list of codes for marked vehicles that you may find helpful.

Q4 - What is the uniform policy for the Roads and Transport Policing Command (MO8)? Do some officers deviate from utilizing the standard white shirt and black stabvest? Are there different uniform policies for specific teams within MO8?

Roads Policing Officers and Safer Transport Officers wear standard Patrol Uniform. (Roads Policing Officers are also equipped with additional uniform such as Motorway Jackets and Motorcycle Uniform.) The exception to this is the Commercial Vehicle Unit who wear blue shirts and trousers as this uniform is more suited to vehicle examinations.

Q5 - Is there some type of standard operating procedure or training guidelines relating to the Roads and Transport Policing Command that can be given to the public? Specifically about day-to-day operations, incident management, cordons, etc?

The RTPC is the largest OCU in the Met. Working in partnership with Transport for London, their focus is to deny criminals use of the roads and surface transport network and reduce serious injury and road deaths within London.

The RTPC support Borough Policing Units and other specialist OCUs with their unique skills. They provide advice about pre-emptive tactics around planned vehicle stops to prevent pursuits. They support operations with TPAC asset and vehicle stops on known or suspected criminals. They provide advice and support around major incidents involving the road network.

There is not just one SOP for RTPC. SOP’s for specific training is dependent on the area of business, incident management and cordons are standard across the MPS.
The tenure policy applies to training. Attached is a tenure list for the majority of our courses.
Please see a link to an example of one of the SOPS in the public domain which may be of interest: Police Driver & Vehicle - Pursuits Standard Operating Procedure (met.police.uk)

Q6 - Does the Roads and Transport Policing Command have Detective Constables, or others who wouldn't be considered a "Traffic Constables"? If so, which teams hold these positions and how are they recruited from within the Met Operations 8?

Detectives do form part of MO8’s (RTPC) officer compliment. Additionally there are other officers whose roles differ to those commonly considered to be completed by traffic officers.

Such roles include MO8’s Tasking Teams, Safer Transport Teams, Commercial Vehicle Unit, Road Safety Engineering Unit, Cycle and Motorcycle Safety Teams. This list is not exhaustive.

MO8 recruitment is a corporate process open to all qualified MPS officers. A thorough selection process is completed which includes interview.

Q7 - What are the differences in calls that would be taken by officers apart of Met Operations 8 compared to those apart of frontline policing? How often do they work together on the same calls?

Roads Policing Officers are trained to respond to calls on London’s ‘fast Roads’. These include dual carriageways, those with speeds over 40mph and motorways.
Officers in MO8 work together with Frontline Policing and support BCUs with response and investigation of serious and fatal road traffic accidents. Roads Policing Teams often assist BCU colleagues in Pursuit resolution due to the enhanced training.

Safer Transport Teams respond to calls on the bus network where possible, and often assist BCUs with calls which occur in or around Transport hubs. As Safer Transport Officers are generally on Foot Patrol, they are not the primary responders for these calls, but take on the investigation of crime.

Q9 - Do officers still utilitze state codes on the radio? (I.E State 1, state 2). If so what are all of the state codes? What are the IC codes used on the radio? Are their any more abbreviations used on the radio that can be listed without compromising operations?

The MPS do not used state codes. These are used by County Forces.

The IC codes used in MPS are:

IC1 White – North European
IC2 White – South European
IC3 Black
IC4 Asian (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal)
IC5 Chinese, Japanese, Nepalese or other South East Asia
IC6 Arabic or North African
IC9 Other

Q10 - What are the differences between ERPT and Safer Transport Team Constables, I see they wear the same uniform and use the same vehicles besides the traffic epaulette and being apart of the Roads and Transport Policing Command. I've also heard that STT does vehicle checks and seizes vehicles, do these duties conflict with traffic constables apart of the Roads Policing Unit?

Safer Transport Teams are fully funded by Transport for London. Their primary role is prevent, investigate and detect crime on the Bus Network. Their duties include engagement, education and enforcement. The Safer Transport Teams also assist MO8 in achieving the Mayor’s Vision Zero Objectives by undertaking activity such as Stop sites on London’s Roads, deterring criminality and also educating/ enforcing Road Traffic legislation.