Emergency Response
Responding to 999 calls and other urgent incidents where there is an immediate threat to life, property or public safety. Response officers assess the situation on arrival and take immediate action to protect those involved.
United Kingdom Police Service
Response Policing
At the heart of frontline policing, Response officers provide a 24-hour emergency service to communities across the region. From immediate threats to life and ongoing crimes to public safety incidents and road traffic collisions, Response officers are often the first police personnel to arrive when the public needs us most.
Frontline Policing, 24 Hours a Day
Response policing forms the foundation of the United Kingdom Police Service. Our Response officers operate around the clock, attending emergency and priority calls, protecting vulnerable members of the public and taking control of rapidly developing incidents. Officers are trained to assess risk, preserve life, secure scenes, identify offenders and begin investigations from the moment they arrive. While many incidents can be resolved by Response officers directly, they also work closely with specialist UKPS divisions when an incident requires additional expertise, equipment or tactical capability.
Our Role
Response officers deal with a wide range of incidents every day. Their responsibilities extend beyond answering emergency calls and include investigation, safeguarding and maintaining public confidence.
Crime in Progress
Attending reports of offences currently taking place, locating suspects, securing evidence and taking appropriate enforcement action where offences are identified.
Initial Investigation
Response officers carry out the first stages of many criminal investigations, including speaking with victims and witnesses, gathering evidence, identifying suspects and preserving crime scenes.
Public Protection
Protecting vulnerable people is a core responsibility of frontline policing. Officers assess safeguarding concerns and work with appropriate services to ensure individuals receive the support and protection they require.
Road Traffic Incidents
Response officers attend collisions, dangerous driving reports, obstructions and other incidents affecting the road network, providing immediate scene management until specialist resources are required.
Public Reassurance
Through visible patrols and engagement with members of the public, Response officers help deter crime, address community concerns and maintain confidence in policing.
Response at a Glance
- 24/7
- Operational Coverage
- 999
- Emergency Response
- Frontline
- First on Scene
- Multi-Role
- Operational Capability
Response officers provide frontline policing around the clock.
Response units are among the primary resources deployed to emergency incidents.
Response officers are frequently the first UKPS personnel to arrive at developing incidents.
Officers are prepared to manage crime, safeguarding, public safety and road-related incidents.
Responding to an Incident
Every incident is different, but the priority remains the same: protect life, identify risk and restore public safety.
When an emergency or priority call is received, information is assessed and the most appropriate available police resources are deployed. Response officers travelling to urgent incidents may use emergency response driving exemptions where trained and authorised to do so.
On arrival, officers conduct an initial assessment of the incident. Immediate threats are dealt with first, with priority given to protecting life, preventing further harm and securing the area.
Depending on the circumstances, officers may detain or arrest suspects, provide first aid, obtain witness accounts, secure evidence or establish a scene for further investigation.
Where specialist assistance is required, Response officers can request additional UKPS resources including firearms officers, police dogs, roads policing officers, public order officers, detectives or air support.
Once the immediate risk has been controlled, officers ensure that relevant information and evidence are recorded and that any continuing investigation is transferred to the appropriate team where necessary.
Response Driving
Response-trained officers may operate marked police vehicles under emergency conditions when responding to incidents requiring an immediate police presence. Drivers are expected to balance the urgency of the incident against the safety of other road users and continuously assess whether the use of emergency exemptions remains proportionate. Response officers are trained for emergency response driving, while more advanced pursuit and interception capabilities are provided through specialist Roads and Transport Policing Command resources.
View RTPCWorking With Specialist Units
Response policing does not operate in isolation. Officers regularly work alongside specialist UKPS divisions to ensure incidents receive the appropriate level of expertise and operational support.
TSG
Territorial Support Group officers provide additional capability during public order incidents, high-risk deployments, warrants and operations requiring specialist tactics.
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CID
The Criminal Investigation Department takes responsibility for serious and complex investigations requiring extended investigative work and specialist detective capability.
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RTPC
Roads and Transport Policing Command supports incidents involving pursuits, dangerous driving, serious road collisions and vehicle-enabled crime.
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DSU
Dog Support Unit teams assist with suspect tracking, searches, evidence recovery and incidents where specialist police dog capability is required.
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AFO
Authorised Firearms Officers respond when firearms, weapons or other circumstances present an immediate and significant threat to life.
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NPAS
The National Police Air Service provides aerial assistance during searches, pursuits, major incidents and other operations requiring observation from the air.
read moreStandards of Response Policing
Professionalism, judgement and accountability are central to every deployment.
Response officers are expected to act lawfully, proportionately and professionally at all times. The circumstances of an incident can change rapidly, requiring officers to continually reassess risk and make decisions based on the information available to them.
Officers must be capable of communicating effectively with victims, witnesses, suspects and other emergency services while maintaining control of potentially challenging situations.
The use of police powers must always be justified by the circumstances. Arrest, search, detention and use-of-force decisions are expected to be reasonable, necessary and proportionate to the threat or offence being addressed.
Response officers remain accountable for their decisions and are expected to accurately record significant actions taken during an incident.
Response Policing FAQs
Response officers attend a broad range of calls including emergencies, ongoing crimes, disturbances, safeguarding incidents, road traffic collisions, reports of suspicious activity and other situations requiring an immediate or priority police response.
No. Response officers may hold emergency response driving qualifications, but specialist pursuit and interception capabilities require additional training and authorisation. Roads and Transport Policing Command provides advanced capability where required.
Yes. Response officers conduct the initial investigation for many offences. More serious, complex or prolonged investigations may later be transferred to CID or another specialist investigative team.
Response officers are not routinely deployed as firearms officers. Incidents involving a confirmed or suspected firearms threat can be supported by appropriately trained Authorised Firearms Officers.
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, Response officers can request support from specialist UKPS resources including TSG, CID, RTPC, DSU, AFO and NPAS.
Serve on the Frontline
Response policing places officers at the centre of day-to-day policing. From emergency calls and criminal investigations to safeguarding vulnerable members of the public, every deployment presents a new challenge and an opportunity to make a difference. Develop your policing experience, build operational skills and begin your career within one of the most important areas of the United Kingdom Police Service.
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