Federation Chair spends a day with the Marine Unit to experience their important work first-hand

7 August 2020

The Chair of Hampshire Police Federation recently spent a day with the county’s Marine Unit to experience its important and varied work first-hand.

Zoë Wakefield and Police Federation of England and Wales Chair John Apter joined the Marine Unit to see how it had changed in recent times, from facing closure two years ago to where it is now.

Zoë said: “It wasn’t too long ago that officers on the unit were told it was being disbanded and they faced the prospect of having to leave a role they had become highly trained in, and also enjoyed.

"However, things soon changed.

“Recently the unit has undergone some big changes. They have reduced the number of boats and the number of officers. They’ve also diversified – all officers are now Level 2 Public Order-trained and licensed search officers.”

The Marine Unit is a joint operation with Thames Valley Police, and the management from Inspector and above is all Thames Valley Police. The team consists of a Sergeant and six PCs, and it carries out training exercises with other forces’ Marine Units and specialist teams.

Their work includes anti-drugs and human trafficking operations, as well as helping with search and rescue efforts along the Hampshire coast and rivers.

Zoë said: “Their role is varied and interesting. One day they can be assisting with executing warrants in the north of the county or assisting with a search, and the next they could be out on the River Hamble pursuing speeding jet-skiers.

“In addition to their policing skills, they are all qualified yacht masters and also have some basic knowledge of boat mechanics. They told me: ‘You can’t just call out the AA when something goes wrong.’”

As Equality Lead, Zoë was also interested to hear about how the team planned to increase diversity. She said: “The team is currently all male and they are actively trying to recruit from under-represented groups.”

Zoë said the day had been “an informative insight into their world.”

She said: “From being out on the water with them, it is clear that they are the neighbourhood policing for the marine community and have good working relationships with the harbour masters in the various marinas in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight.”