Operational partnerships - Speed enforcement SOP (R01e)

1. Summary of changes

1.1 The following changes were made to this standard operating procedure (SOP) on 21 March 2022:

• paragraph 3.4.1 has been updated
• paragraph 3.4.2 has been updated
• paragraph 3.4.3 has been updated
• paragraph 3.4.5 has been updated
• paragraph 3.6.7 has been updated

2. What this procedure is about

2.1. The purpose of this SOP is to improve driver behaviour, to reduce the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on our roads and to address community concerns relating to the anti-social use of vehicles.

2.2. Additionally, this SOP sets out the framework for delivering safer roads in Kent through effective enforcement, aimed at reducing crashes. Concentrating activity on roads where speed is an acknowledged contributory factor in crash causation, can impact on casualty reduction and make best use of a limited resource.

Compliance with this SOP and any governing policy is mandatory.

3. Detail the procedure

3.1. Inappropriate and excess speed is a significant factor in road crashes. It can result in death, serious injury and damage and is also seen as a serious “quality of life” issue by the public. The effective, intelligence led use of speed enforcement can assist in addressing these problems.

3.2. The purpose of this SOP is to set the framework for delivering safer roads in Kent through effective enforcement, aimed at reducing crashes. Concentrating activity on roads where speed is an acknowledged contributory factor in crash causation, can impact on casualty reduction and make best use of a limited resource.

3.3. This SOP consolidates and updates all former force policies in relation to speeding and speed enforcement. They identify the technology available within the force; procedures to be adopted; training and authorisation in the use of that technology; targeting of enforcement activity and use of speed by police drivers.

3.4. Camera enforcement 

3.4.1. All matters concerning camera enforcement, both fixed site and mobile, are dealt with by the force on behalf of the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership (KMSCP), a joint venture with the force and Kent County Council (KCC), Medway Council and National Highways. Cameras located on the strategic road network are funded by National Highways with Kent Police having the responsibility and jurisdiction for offence enforcement.

3.4.2. The overarching principle of camera deployment is to achieve casualty reduction or in the case of the SRN aid traffic management. The desired outcome of this will be speed reduction at identified sites where there has been a proven record of injury crashes where speed is a contributory factor.

3.4.3. The safety camera team at tactical operations command has responsibility for the management and day-to-day operations of all matters concerning camera enforcement. This project is funded jointly through income from the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) and the National Highways.

3.4.4. Safety cameras, both fixed and mobile, will only be used by officers and police staff working within the camera team. This is to ensure consistency in the deployment and use of this equipment and compliance with the Enforcement Strategy agreed with the Partnership Board. Equipment will only be used under this project at locations agreed in accordance with this strategy.

3.4.5. Any enquiry concerning the maintenance or operation of these cameras should be referred to the safety camera team, tactical operations command, Coldharbour, Old London Road, Maidstone ME20 7SL.

3.4.6. Any enquiry regarding the proposed siting of fixed site cameras should be directed to the relevant highway authority (Medway or KCC).

3.4.7. Section 20, Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, as amended by the Road Traffic Act 1991 allows for evidence of camera detected offences to be given in the form of a certificate signed by a constable or by a person authorised by the chief officer of police for the police area in which the offence is alleged to have been committed. The chief constable has given written authorisation under this Act and Section to all civilian camera operators.

3.5. Portable speed detection equipment

3.5.1. The following devices are currently approved for use within the force:

• Tele-Traffic Ultralyte 1000 hand held laser
• Tele-Traffic LTI 2020 laser speed camera
• Unipar Speed Ace hand held laser
• Unipar SL700 hand held laser
• Vascar
• Pilot
• Provida in-car video/speed detection
• HOTA LTI 20-20 UltraLyte 1000
• Lastec Concept II System

3.5.2. Prior to commencement of any prearranged speed check a copy the traffic order should be sought to establish the legality of the speed limit, which will be required to support any prosecution. The site should also be checked with regard to the correct signage, and lighting that is required for the ‘limit’.

3.5.3. Prior to commencing a speed check using any portable detection device, the equipment must be tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) guidance. Where there is a difference between the two the ACPO guidance will take precedence. All tests carried out must be recorded by the officer for evidential purposes.

3.5.4. Consideration must be given to the implications of the Health and Safety at Work Act when deploying local officers with portable speed detection devices. Checks should only be undertaken at locations where vehicles can safely be stopped. The safety of the stopping officer and that of the vehicle occupants must not be compromised.

3.5.5. GSM (Global System for Mobile) mobile phones have the potential to interfere with enforcement devices and will be turned off when undertaking a speed enforcement check.

3.5.6. Business units should collate details of speed enforcement equipment within their areas and cause the necessary annual maintenance/recalibration checks to be carried out when due.

3.6. Training and authorisation

3.6.1. Speed detection devices will only be used by staff who have received the appropriate training and authorisation.

3.6.2. Roads Policing Unit has trainers capable of authorising staff in the specialist speed detection equipment they utilise.

3.6.3. In relation to non-camera, speed detection devices, divisional/district commanders may appoint suitably qualified officers as trainers. Those officers should be experienced in the use of the equipment, have knowledge of the training objectives laid out in the ACPO speed enforcement manual and an appreciation of the health and safety issues surrounding the use of speed detection devices and the stopping of vehicles. These officers will have received appropriate training. It is essential that such authorisation be in writing in order to provide a credible audit trail. Refresher training for trainers should take place when new or updated speed equipment is adopted for use.

3.6.4. Staff appointed as trainers can train and authorise other staff to use the equipment. Again, it is essential that such authorisation be in writing. It will be the responsibility of area trainers to collate records of authorised trainers and operators.

Operational training

3.6.5. All training should be documented and a robust audit trail maintained to assist in the rebuttal of any challenge to the competency of operators. An officer is not authorised unless signed off by an accredited trainer and have met the objectives of the training below. It is the officer's responsibility to maintain a record of portfolio of evidence.

3.6.6. Objectives for training enforcement device operators:

NPCC recommendations are that the duration of training should be sufficient to enable an operator to qualify for the award of certificate of competence.

At the conclusion of the course the student will:

1. understand the basic principles of roads policing enforcement technology as outlined in this document and manufacturers' instructions
2. demonstrate their ability to safely carry out checking, accuracy tests and operating techniques applicable to devices used
3. be competent in the presentation of evidence

3.6.7. Additional training objectives for time/distance devices:

Officers will receive bespoke training and assessment from authorised officers. At the conclusion of instruction, students will: demonstrate an understanding of the principles, accuracy and safe operation of the in-car speed detection device(s) required, then the Crown Prosecution Services (CPS) in England and Wales, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in Scotland and Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland should ensure an expert witness is called liaising with the Roads Policing Enforcement Technology (RPET) group secretariat to provide an expert.  

4. Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)

4.1. An EIA has been carried out and shows the proposals in this policy would have no potential or actual differential impact on grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, transgender, disability, age, religion, or belief or sexual orientation.

5. Risk assessment

5.1. This SOP has been assessed as low risk.

6. Consultation

6.1. On 18 December 2013 consultation took place with representation from constable to chief inspector rank. 

6.2. In 2014 corporate consultation took place including

• Finance
• Human Resources
• IT Security
• Health and Safety
• Legal
• Freedom of Information

7. Monitoring and review

7.1. This SOP will be reviewed every two years with the next review taking place in March 2024.

8. Other source documents

• R02 - Traffic Enforcement
• O35c - Vehicle Used in an Anti-social Manner
• Section 20 Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

9. Security

9.1. Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management policy.

10. Retention and disposal of records

10.1. Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal policy.