Control Room

Detective Sergeants Initial Management of a
Serious Crime

Gold Room

Multi agency
Gold Incident Command
Diamond Group

The Simulated Operations Suite is the only one in a South West police force. The suite have access to courses already produced by other sites in the UK, as well as developing their own material for use in this force. The Simulation Suite tests students in their ability to cope in an operational situation by using computer, audio, video and paper feeds to provide them with a flow of information, actions, and requests that simulate an actual incident. It is used as part of the Senior Investigating Officers', and Detective Sergeants' courses and is currently used to train road policing officers and those who would be commanders in outbreaks of disorder. A portable version is also available enabling exercises to be taken to the policing districts and partner agencies.

The Simulated Operations Suite (Hydra) provides students with a chance to experience the management of large-scale criminal investigations to team building exercises within a safe but challenging training setting where good practice can be identified and shared but where mistakes have no operational consequences.

"The first time I have had the opportunity to use the facility. An excellent training facility which certainly stretches the individual. Possibly as close as it gets."

Major emergencies such as 'plane and train crashes, critical incidents such as public disorder and the investigation of serious crimes such as murder and rape are typically complex, initially chaotic and often challenging to manage.

These incidents require a team-based approach in which the activities and efforts of those officers involved are effectively co-ordinated and properly directed. Good communication, effective use of resources and information, and a clear command policy are essential if the many problems arising from such incidents are to be identified, prioritized and resolved.

Training officers to develop these command skills requires a learning environment where the complexity, chaos and challenge of a real incident are recreated. This is where simulation is so effective as a training tool.

"I've had staff who have attended these courses actively seek me out to tell me how good it was; one stating that it was the best training event they had attended in 18 years with the organisation."

The suite has run courses for the Road Policing Unit (Scene Managers and SIOs), Force Communications (Pursuit Management) and CID as well as firearms, public order, hostage co-ordinators, silver commanders, Leadership & Diversity and a multi agency gold exercise.

"Thanks again for the work you have done for us to fill a yawning gap in our training. I have no doubt that in the years to come, lives will be saved thanks to the knowledge you have helped to impart to our staff."

The Simulated Operations Training Suite also has Hydra Mobile which enables immersive learning to take place anywhere within our force or to any force in the country. Hydra Mobile has been used for leadership days for G district in Bridgwater; and RPU Training have successfully delivered the RPU Scene Managers and RPU SIO exercises for Hampshire Constabulary at their training school in Fareham.

For more information please contact Tim Schofield on 01275 816548.