Response officers are ‘backbone’ of policing, says chief superintendent

2 July 2024

To mark Response Policing Week (24-30 June), we spoke to Chief Superintendent Dave Kirby about the dedication of response officers within the team he leads as divisional commander for Derbyshire Constabulary.

The senior policeman was full of praise for Federation members who make up response teams across the county, of which he acts as Divisional Commander for the North.

Response Policing Week is a national ‘week of action’ currently in its fourth year, co-ordinated by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the College of Policing, and Oscar Kilo.

The initiative engages with response cops by celebrating their commitment and offering them opportunities for learning and development, networking, and wellbeing.

Response work

Dave, 47, said such recognition is very much warranted: “I see examples of good response work all the time – acts of bravery, quick-thinking and high skill are commonplace. These officers deserve to be celebrated for all the brilliant things they do.”

A career detective, Dave has largely been part of covert policing operations such as the Constabulary’s Specialist Crime Unit, although a handful of years across his 28-year service have been spent on response teams.

Despite having been in the thick of this mode of policing himself, the chief superintendent says the efforts of current officers still consistently amaze him.

Chief Superintendent Dave Kirby.

He continued: “I have not been on a response team since around 2012 but I think the role has become harder since then. Everything a cop does is videoed now so there is far more public scrutiny. Incidents can even be captured in real-time, and the judgement is in real-time with social media and the rise of live videos.

“The continuation of technology also means that there are virtually no investigations without some sort of digital element. There is a lot more follow-up work after incidents, when you consider admin requirements.”

Dave added that it is these modern pressures, combined with the nature of a response role, that present challenges for such police staff which should not be underestimated.

“Response cops can’t say no. They are always the last resort and the last line of defence for public safety. Even if there is an immediate risk of danger, backlash or criticism, they have no choice but to throw themselves into these difficult situations – and that is not easy,” he said.

Dave oversees a command team that covers territory in Derbyshire spanning from Belper to Glossop and consists of a variety of units such as safer neighbourhood and local policing. He paid tribute to the members of the group with response duties.

He continued: “I may be the leader but I still find them very inspiring. As I alluded to, you must be no-nonsense and direct when responding to emergencies, and they are exactly that, but they are also very caring. Nowadays, there is much more of an emphasis in the Police to not just catch the bad people but to look after and protect vulnerable people too.”

College of Policing

Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service, are hosting online wellbeing sessions organised by the College of Policing and has deployed their wellbeing vans and dogs across the UK over Response Policing Week. The Service says this is to remind response officers that they are here to support them and their forces not just in this week but all year round.

Dave backed this message: “Response cops need acknowledgement and this week gives us the opportunity to tell them their dedication does not go unnoticed. I have a key part to play in the Force’s longer-term strategy to make the role more desirable, so it also gives us an extra impetus to go out and do that.

“For me, they make up the absolute core of policing – they are the backbone, and it is hugely important it is seen that way. All new entrants into the Police start in response jobs, so we need to make sure they are not seen as merely entry-level and not as significant as other titles.

“Ultimately, it’s this kind of officer a member of the public will see on their darkest day, when they’re first to arrive on the scene. That is how vital they are."

All online sessions hosted by the College of Policing during Response Policing Week will be recorded and accessible on the Knowledge Hub at any time.

Wellbeing sessions hosted by Oscar Kilo are available to watch at any time on their website, where Federation members can also find further resources on Response Policing Week.