Operations Support Team

Overview

The Operations Support Team (OST) is a key tactical and specialist support component of the Joint Operations Unit (JOU) - a formal collaboration between Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police. OST exists to enhance the operational capability and resilience of local policing teams by delivering specialist skills, equipment, and response capacity across a broad spectrum of incidents, operations, and environments.

Operating force-wide, OST brings together a portfolio of specialist departments that provide immediate and planned support to high-risk incidents, major events, spontaneous disorder, complex searches, protest activity, and other operational requirements beyond the capacity of routine frontline policing. The team ensures that both forces are equipped to respond to dynamic threats and operational challenges with flexibility, precision, and professionalism.

OST operates under the strategic direction of the Joint Operations Command Team and is aligned with national policing doctrine and operational frameworks, including the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP), National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) guidance, and national coordination mechanisms facilitated through the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC).

Strategic Purpose and Mission

The Operations Support Team (OST) exists to support and enhance operational policing across Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police by delivering tactical, technical, and specialist operational capabilities in the most complex, high-risk, and demanding environments.

OST plays a central role in force-wide resilience and operational effectiveness through:

• Tactical specialist deployment in complex, high-risk, or hazardous situations.

• Maintaining readiness and resilience for spontaneous incidents and major public safety threats.

• Providing specialist functions, including public order policing, tactical entry (Method of Entry), protest resolution, trauma care, search and recovery, canine support, mounted patrols, and marine deployment.

• Contributing to regional resilience through high-availability deployments across both force areas.

• Delivering intelligence-led public order and search operations to support wider policing strategies.

• Supporting regional counter-terrorism preparedness and civil contingency planning frameworks.

• Upholding national operational standards in planning, readiness, deployment, and debriefing.

OST units are deployable at short notice, trained to operate in hostile or hazardous environments, and are integral to the force's ability to respond to high-impact and critical incidents — including terrorist threats, violent disorder, missing person searches, and other tactical policing demands.

All operations are conducted in line with nationally recognised standards and frameworks, including:

• College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP)

• National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) guidance

• Local and regional Strategic Threat and Risk Assessments (STRA)

OST exists to support and enhance operational policing across Hampshire and Thames Valley through:

• Tactical specialist deployment in complex and high-risk environments

• Maintaining readiness and resilience for spontaneous disorder and public safety operations

• Delivering search, entry, protest resolution, and trauma response capabilities

• Supporting regional counter-terrorism preparedness and civil contingency planning

• Ensuring compliance with national operational frameworks and standards, including:

  1. College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP)

  2. National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) guidance

  3. Local and regional Strategic Threat and Risk Assessments (STRA)

Operational Command and Deployment

The Operations Support Team (OST) operates under a tiered command structure within the Joint Operations Unit (JOU), functioning as a strategic and tactical asset across Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police. Command responsibility lies with the Joint Operations Command Team, with departmental leadership delegated to Chief Inspectors or Inspectors overseeing each specialist area (e.g. Public Order, Specialist Search & Recovery, Marine Support).

OST units are deployable either individually or in combination, depending on operational demand. They support both routine policing and exceptional circumstances, including high-risk incidents, pre-planned events, major public order operations, and regional emergencies.

Tasking and deployment are managed through multiple channels:

• Spontaneous deployment is coordinated via Force Control Rooms or Joint Operations Duty Officers.

• Planned operations are delivered through liaison with local Silver and Gold Commanders, Operational Planning Units, and Event Command Structures.

• Close coordination is maintained with Force Incident Managers (FIMs), Local Policing Areas (LPAs), and district operational command teams.

OST maintains readiness to deploy in line with national frameworks, including College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP), National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) mobilisation protocols, and Strategic Threat and Risk Assessments (STRA). Each department under OST is trained and resourced to integrate seamlessly into complex, multi-agency responses and regionally coordinated public safety operations.

Deployment and Tasking

Deployment of the Operations Support Team (OST) is coordinated in response to both spontaneous incidents and pre-planned operations across Hampshire and Thames Valley. Each deployment is assessed for specialist need, risk level, and operational scale to determine the appropriate unit or combination of teams required.

Spontaneous deployments – such as fast-moving public order events, complex searches, or urgent support to critical incidents – are typically requested by Local Policing Areas (LPAs) or district teams via the Force Control Rooms. The Force Incident Manager (FIM) or the Joint Operations Duty Officer (JODO) serves as the tactical lead for mobilisation in these scenarios.

Planned deployments – including ceremonial events, large-scale protests, VIP visits, or regional operations – are coordinated through formal operational planning structures. Requests are channelled via Silver or Gold Command, in consultation with relevant specialist leads within OST and the wider Joint Operations Unit (JOU).

Tasking is prioritised based on:

• Threat, harm, and risk assessments

• Availability of trained personnel and specialist assets

• Compliance with national mobilisation protocols (e.g. NPoCC tasking)

• Intelligence and operational briefings from local and regional partners

Interoperability and adaptability are core strengths of OST deployment, allowing for rapid integration with local teams, other force departments, regional partners (e.g. SEROCU, CTPSE), and national agencies when required.

Training and Accreditation

All officers and staff within the Operations Support Team (OST) receive nationally accredited training in their respective disciplines. Training is aligned to standards set by the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP), National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), and other statutory or operational guidance frameworks.

Key principles guiding OST training and accreditation include:

• Role-specific capability: Each unit (e.g. Force Support Unit, SSRT, Drone Section) has defined training pathways and operational assessments to ensure officers maintain the required skills and knowledge for their role.

• Continual professional development (CPD): Officers undertake mandatory refresher courses, scenario-based exercises, and interdisciplinary operations to retain accreditation and remain operationally fit.

• Joint training exercises: Regular joint deployments and tabletop exercises are conducted with local policing teams, emergency services, and regional/national units to test readiness and interoperability.

• Command training: Supervisors within OST undergo formal training in public order command, specialist search management, CBRN coordination, and critical incident command roles, in accordance with national standards.

Where applicable, OST personnel hold specialist authorisations such as:

• Level 1/2 Public Order Certification

• Method of Entry Accreditation

• CBRN First Responder or Commander roles

• Drone (UAS) Pilot Licences and Operator Approvals

• Search Technician and Search Manager Qualifications

• Rope Access or Confined Space Certification

• Emergency Medical Training (OST Medics)

Oversight of training delivery and compliance is coordinated through the JOU's dedicated Training and Professional Standards officers, ensuring that operational readiness and public confidence are maintained across all deployments.

To see information about each department within the OST, please choose from the below list:

• Public Order Department

• Dog Section

• Mounted Section

• Marine Support Unit

• Air Support Unit 

• Specialist Search & Recovery Team

• National Police Air Service