Response

The Response function delivers 24/7 frontline policing across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
It provides the immediate, emergency response to calls for service — protecting life, preventing crime, and supporting victims when they need help most.

Response officers are the first on scene at incidents ranging from domestic abuse and serious assaults to road collisions and missing persons. They are trained to deal with anything — often in fast-moving and unpredictable circumstances.

Purpose and Role

The Response strand exists to:

• Provide a rapid, professional response to emergency and non-emergency incidents.

• Protect the public and prevent further harm.

• Preserve life, secure evidence, and apprehend offenders.

• Support victims through the earliest stages of investigation.

• Maintain a visible policing presence day and night.

Response officers work hand-in-hand with Neighbourhoods, Investigation, and Task Force colleagues to ensure that every incident is followed through, from the first call to the final outcome.

District Policing Teams (DPTs)

District Policing Teams are the core 24/7 response units of Hampshire Constabulary.
They are based within each district, rather than centralised hubs, ensuring that officers remain locally rooted and responsive to the communities they serve.

Each DPT operates from district police stations, providing a visible and immediate presence across the county.
They are led by a Response Inspector, supported by Sergeants and experienced frontline officers, with oversight and coordination provided by the Force Control Room to ensure consistent deployment and management of demand.

Their responsibilities include:

• Responding to 999 and 101 calls for service within their district.

• Attending emergencies, domestic incidents, and road collisions.

• Securing crime scenes and preserving evidence.

• Conducting initial investigations and gathering intelligence.

• Supporting arrests, prisoner handling, and transport.

• Providing reassurance patrols and safeguarding the vulnerable.

By operating from district bases rather than central hubs, these teams maintain vital local knowledge, stronger ties with community policing colleagues, and faster response times to incidents across both urban and rural areas.

All DPT officers are trained in emergency response driving, first aid, dynamic risk assessment, and scene management to ensure professional and effective frontline policing at every call.

Area Cars

Area Cars are fast-response units deployed to high-priority incidents and dynamic, in-progress crimes such as robbery, burglary, or serious violence.
They are equipped with advanced emergency driving capabilities and the latest vehicle technology, allowing them to cover wide areas quickly and effectively.

Each Area Car is crewed by highly experienced officers who:

• Provide rapid response coverage across multiple districts.

• Support DPTs during peak demand periods.

• Pursue and detain offenders in progress.

• Assist in major incidents and high-risk missing person searches.

Although primarily part of the Response function, Area Cars also work closely with Roads Policing and Local Investigation Teams, bridging the gap between emergency response and ongoing investigations.

Command and Coordination

Response policing is supported operationally by the Force Control Room (FCR) within the Contact Management Department.
All DPT and Area Car deployments are coordinated by Tactical Commanders and Force Incident Managers (FIMs) working within the Force Incident Cadre, ensuring that incidents are prioritised, resourced, and managed effectively.

The Force Incident Cadre is responsible for:

• Oversight of all live and critical incidents across the force.

• Coordination of resources between districts and departments.

• Tactical command during major operations and spontaneous incidents.

• Providing advice and command support to on-scene officers.

While FIMs oversee response delivery from a command perspective, they sit within the Contact Management structure — not Local Policing — reflecting their centralised role in managing force-wide incident response.

Shift Coverage and Resourcing

Response teams operate under a rolling shift pattern that ensures:

• 24/7 coverage across all districts.

• Overlap between early, late, and night shifts for resilience.

• Enhanced staffing at peak times such as weekends and public holidays.

DPT officers are also supported by volunteer Special Constables, ensuring extra capacity during major operations, community events, and local policing surges.

Collaboration and Support

Response officers work closely with:

• Neighbourhood Teams, to ensure follow-up engagement and local reassurance.

• Local Investigation Teams, to hand over evidential material and statements for further investigation.

• Task Forces, during operations targeting prolific or violent offenders.

• Fire & Rescue and Ambulance Services, during joint emergency response incidents.

This collaboration ensures that every victim, incident, and community receives the right response — at the right time.

In Summary

The Response function is the foundation of emergency policing.
Its officers are the first line of defence for the public — the ones who turn up in the middle of the night, at the roadside, or at a victim’s door.
Their professionalism, courage, and compassion define Hampshire Constabulary’s frontline service.

Explore more:

• Local Policing Command (LPC)

• Prevention and Neighbourhoods

• Local Crime Investigations

• Task Forces

• Local Bobbies