Thames Valley Police show off joint operations unit
We've been given access to three specialist teams from the JOU which is a collaboration with Hampshire Police
Last updated 12th Aug 2021
We've had rare access to the Thames Valley and Hampshire Police joint operations unit.
The Joint Operations Unit (JOU) is a collaboration between Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police. The JOU forms a major part of both forces’ protective services, putting together highly specialised units and teams with a variety of skills.
It's the largest non-metropolitan joint specialist unit in the UK.
In a special event at the Police training college at Sulhamstead near Reading - the unit demonstrated their firearms capabilities, dogs section, and their drones.
DRONES
There are currently twenty drones across the two forces and more than seventy Police drone operators.
The majority of the drones are lightweight 500g models but the unit has two 7-9kg types for more complex operations.
The drones have cameras including thermal imaging and are used for missing persons, video reconnaissance, and detecting suspects who might be hiding.
The unit was keen to point out it abides by strict aviation and privacy rules.
FIREARMS
There are around 350 firearms officers some patrolling in armed response vehicles and others deployed on close protection work.
We were able to witness some ARV training but asked not to film training in the firing range where we watched plain clothed close protection officers training with live rounds.
The firearms unit say they are dealing more and more with people who are armed and have mental health problems - but they stress lethal force is their last option.
Officers have to re-certify every six months to ensure their skills are kept up to standard.
DOGS
There are 45 handlers in the joint operations unit and they can be deployed in support of firearms officers, for searches, arrests, and crowd control.
Although they can command the dog to release a suspect, they also use a small gag device to release the dog's hold on someone in case the animal has become distracted.