Operations
Operations — Authorised Professional Practice
Summary
This section of the Authorised Professional Practice (APP) outlines the critical aspects of command and control structures, interoperability, planning, and review in police operations. It provides an overview of command structures and support, operational planning including core principles and tactical considerations, as well as the importance of briefing and debriefing processes. The guidance aims to establish best practices for effective incident response, ensuring that officers are well-prepared to manage various operational scenarios. Additionally, it references good practices for major incident responses in the civil contingencies APP, enhancing collaborative efforts within policing and other emergency services.
Key principles
- 1Establish clear command and control structures.
- 2Utilize core planning principles for operational effectiveness.
- 3Emphasize the significance of briefing and debriefing.
- 4Incorporate interoperability in multi-agency responses.
- 5Conduct thorough operational reviews post-incident.
Full guidance
This page is from APP, the official source of professional practice for policing.
Information on good practice in the response to major incidents can be found in the civil contingencies APP.
Please see also National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) (2018) Event Policing Operational Advice (revised June 2019) .
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APP is the authoritative source for UK policing practice and is updated over time. For the current, official version — including any operational detail not reproduced here — go direct.
Read the full APP guidanceSource: College of Policing — Authorised Professional Practice · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-27.