Police Abbreviations

APPSS Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers

ABH Actual Bodily Harm
AC Area Commander
ACC Assistant Chief Constable
ACPO Association of Chief Police Officers (http://www.acpo.police.uk) (of England,
Wales and Northern Ireland) – the professional body of chief police officers. Its
core activity is developing policing policy
ACPOS Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
(http://www.scottish.police.uk/main/acpos/acpos.htm) – the professional body of
chief police officers in Scotland. Its core activity is developing policing policy
ACoRP Association of Community Rail Partnerships (http://www.acorp.uk.com/) - a
federation of over 50 community rail partnerships and rail promotion groups.
AFR Automatic Fingerprint Recognition
AHQ Area Headquarters
AIB Area Intelligence Bureau
AIU Assessment & Inspection Unit
AJU Administration of Justice Unit
AMP Association of Muslim Police
AMT Area Management Team
ANPR Automatic Number Plate Recognition - mass surveillance method that uses
optical character recognition on images to read the licence plates on vehicles
APA Association of Police Authorities (http://www.apa.police.uk) - represents police
authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on the national stage and
locally
APOLLO A People On Line (LO) - Apollo is the Force-wide NSPIS Human Resources
database. It holds personal details such as addresses, contacts and sickness
for all contract and permanent employees
APPRO
Association of Police Public Relations Officers (http://appro.org.uk/)
APPSS
Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers (http://www.appss.org.uk/)
ASBO
Anti-Social Behaviour Order
ATOC Association of Train Operating Companies (http://www.atoc.org) - set up by the
train operators providing members with services that enable them to comply
with conditions laid on them in their franchise agreements and operating
licences
ATU Area Training Unit
ATW Arriva Trains Wales
AW Arrest Wanted
Basic A geographically defined area within a police force
Command
Unit
BAWP British Association for Women in Policing (http://www.bawp.org) - main
objective is to enhance the role and understanding of the specific needs of the
women who are employed in police forces.
BCS British Crime Survey –measures the amount of crime in England and Wales,
including crimes which may not have been reported or recorded by the police.
Bikini State State of alert for government buildings and departments
BIP Bichard Implementation Programme
BISG Bichard Implementation Steering Group
BME Black and Minority Ethnic
BSO Business Support Officers
BTPA
British Transport Police Authority (http://www.btpa.org) – set up to secure an
efficient and effective police force for the railways by allocating resources and
 appointing senior police officers
BV Best Value
BVBS Bichard Vetting and Barring Scheme
C&D Complaints and Discipline department
CAG Corporate Assurance Group
CATS Communication and Technical Support
CBRN Chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident
CC Chief Constable
CCTV Closed Circuit TeleVision
CCUG Chief Constable’s User Group
CDA Crime and Disorder Act 1998
CDRP Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership
Centrex
Central Police Training and Development Authority
(http://www.centrex.police.uk) – known as National Police Training (NPT)
before April 2004
CEO Court Enforcement Officer
CHIS Covert Human Intelligence Source
CHS Criminal History System
Ch Supt Chief Superintendent

CI Chief Inspector
CICA Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (http://www.cica.gov.uk)
CID Criminal Investigation Department
Ciras Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis System – an alternative way for
rail staff to report safety concerns
CJIT Criminal Justice Information Technology (http://www.cjit.gov.uk) – government
organisation taking forward IT projects as part of the criminal justice reform
agenda
CJS Criminal Justice System
CJU Criminal Justice Unit
CJX Criminal Justice Extranet or Criminal Justice Network
CLDP Core Leadership Development Programme
CLPS Central London (BTP) Police Station
CMC Crime Management Centre
CME Covert Method of Entry
CMO Case Management Officer
COG Chief Officer Group
COIT Child Offence Interview Technique
COMPACT COMmunity Policing And Case Tracking – system for the investigation and
recording of missing person cases in the UK
COP Code of Practice
COPV Chief Officer’s Performance Visit – monthly process carried out by Chief
Officers within Areas
COSHH Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
CPA Civil Partnership Act 2004
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2004/20040033.htm) – this allows for a legal
relationship for lesbian and gay couples aged 16 and over
Or Christian Police Association
CPIA Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1996/1996025.htm)
CPS The Crown Prosecution Service (http://www.cps.gov.uk) – responsible for
prosecuting people in England and Wales charged with a criminal offence
CR Crime Report
CRB Criminal Records Bureau (http://www.crb.gov.uk) – a Home Office agency that
 provides employers with relevant information about individuals to assist in child-
related and other recruitment decisions
CRC Crime Recording Centre
CRE Commission for Racial Equality (http://www.cre.gov.uk)
CREST Crown court information and REporting SysTem
CRISP Cross-Regional Information Sharing Project – an information-sharing process
being implemented by a consortium of police forces
CRO Criminal Records Office or Crime Reduction Officer

CRR Community and Race Relations Unit

CS Chief Superintendent

CTO Central Ticket Office - processes all the PND tickets issued by BTP officers.

CTRL Channel Tunnel Rail Link (http://www.ctrl.co.uk)

CYP Children and Young Persons

DAF Disclosure Application Form – the document issued by the national CRB
detailing the result of the police checking process. There are two levels of
disclosure: Standard and Enhanced

DAG Diversity Action Group

DC Detective Constable
DCA Department for Constitutional Affairs (http://www.dca.gov.uk)
DCC Deputy Chief Constable
D Ch Supt Detective Chief Superintendent
DCI Detective Chief Inspector
DCS Detective Chief Superintendent
DFT Department for Transport (http://www.dft.gov.uk) – oversees key strategic rail
decisions
DI Detective Inspector
DLR Docklands Light Railway – a train operating company
DO Disclosure Officer
DP Detained Person
DPO Data Protection Officer
DPP Director of Public Prosecutions
DS Detective Sergeant
DSG Diversity Steering Group
D Supt Detective Superintendent
DVLA Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (http://www.dvla.gov.uk)
EAH Early Administrative Hearing
ECHR European Convention on Human Rights (http://www.hri.org/docs/ECHR50.html)
ED Enhanced Disclosure – level of disclosure
EFH Early First Hearing
eFINS Electronic FINance System
eFIT Electronic photo-fit
ePINS Electronic Police Information System
EPO Emergency Protection Order
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival
ETD Estimated Time of Departure
FBO Football Banning Order
FBOA Football Banning Order Authority
FCC First Capital Connect - a train operating company
FCUG Force Crime Users Group
FGW First Great Western – a train operating company
FHQ Force Headquarters
FIB Force Intelligence Bureau
FIO Field Intelligence Officer
FIS Force Intelligence Service or Force Intelligence System
FISO Force Information Security Officer
FLO Football Liaison Officer
FMI Force Management Information
FMT Force Management Team
FOIA Freedom of Information Act 2000
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000036.htm)
Force One of the police forces delivering policing across England and Wales, or
where applicable in Scotland or Northern Ireland
FPN Fixed Penalty Notices
FPT Fingerprint
FSS Forensic Science Service
FTA Failure to Appear
GBH Grievous Bodily Harm
GBRf GB Railfreight – a train operating company
GLA Greater London Authority
GNER Great North Eastern Railway – a train operating company
GO General Orders
GPA Gay Police Association
GSA Geoff Smith Associates
H&S Health and Safety
HMCIC Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary
HMCS Her Majesty’s Courts Service
HMIC Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary
(http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/hmic/hmic.htm) – responsible for inspecting
police forces to ensure that they are operating efficiently and effectively
HMPS Her Majesty’s Prison Service
HMRC Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
HMRI Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate (http://www.hse.gov.uk/railways)
HO Home Office (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk)
HOCR Home Office Counting Rules – for recorded crime offences
HOLMES / Home Office Large Major Enquiry System - the computer system used by
HOLMESII police throughout the UK to manage investigations into major crime
HOPO Home Office Production Orders
HR Human Resources
HRMC Horseferry Road Magistrates Court
HSC Health & Safety Commission (http://www.hse.gov.uk)
HSE Health & Safety Executive (http://www.hse.gov.uk) – regulatory body for health
and safety working under the HSC
HST High Speed Train
IAWP International Association of Women Police
IC Information Commissioner (http://www.informationcomissioner.gov.uk)
ICCS Integrated Control and Communication System
ICIDP Initial Crime Investigators’ Development Programme
ICJS Integrated Criminal Justice System – installed in Humberside, the ICJS creates
custody records and generates documents on, for example, cautions, charges
and bail
ICPO International Criminal Police Organisation
ICR Intelligent Character Recognition
ICVA Independent Custody Visitors Association (http://www.icva.org.uk/)
IMPACT Information Management, Prioritisation, Analysis, Co-ordination and Tasking –
major programme which will support police forces in the implementation of NIM
and allow information to be shared consistently across forces. Linked to a
generational upgrade of PNC Information In this report, the word ‘information’
refers to all forms of information obtained, recorded or processed by the police,
including personal data and intelligence. See Intelligence
INI Interim Nominal Index – cross-checking facility showing which forces hold
information Intelligence Information which has been subject to a defined
evaluation in order to inform police decision-making, for example to prioritise
operations and identify links between crime and criminal behaviour
Insp Inspector
IO Investigating Officer
IPCC Independent Police Complaints Commission (http://www.ipcc.gov.uk)
IPLDP Initial Police Learning and Development Programme
I-PLX Interim Police Local Cross-Check – the first introduction of a searchable index
which will enable CRB to check which forces hold intelligence about an
individual, for vetting purposes
iQuanta An agreed framework for annual data registration of personnel and
performance for the police service
IRB Incident Report Book
ISCJIS Integration of Scottish Criminal Justice Information Systems Programme – a
joint initiative by the major criminal justice agencies, including the Scottish
Executive and the Scottish Court Service
JAS Justice Administration System – computer system
JCC Joint Consultative Committee
KPI Key Performance Indicators
LAB Legal Advisers Branch
LCR London and Continental Railways – a train operating company
LESLP London Emergency Services Liaison Panel (http://www.leslp.gov.uk/)
LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender group
Libra IT system being introduced to support Magistrates’ Courts
LINK Support Group for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender Officers
LN London North area of BTP
LPF Local police force
LS London South area of BTP
LU London Underground area of BTP
LUL London Underground Limited
MDA Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Modification) Order 2001
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2001/20013932.htm)
MG national police forms
MICC Management Information Communication Centre
MIR Major Incident Room
MISPER MISsing PERson
MISU Major Incident Support Unit
MO Modus Operandi
MOD Ministry of Defence (http://www.mod.uk/)
MOG national Manual Of Guidance
MOPI Management Of Police Information
MOU Memorandum Of Understanding
MPS Metropolitan Police Service (http://www.mps.org.uk)
NACRO National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders
(http://www.nacro.org.uk/)
NAFIS National Automatic Fingerprint Identification System
Name PNC Enquiry
Check
NAO National Audit Office (http://www.nao.org.uk)
NAPFM National Association of Police Fleet Managers
(http://www.wiltshire.police.uk/napfm/default.asp)
NARBTPO National Association of Retired British Transport Police Officers
(http://members.aol.com/narbtpo/index.html)
NAREY an early first or early admin hearing
NBPA National Black Police Association (http://www.nbpa.co.uk/)
NCF National Competency Framework
NCIS National Criminal Intelligence Service (http://www.ncis.co.uk) – previously
provided strategic and tactical intelligence on serious and organised crime.
(The provisions under the SOCPA replace NCS and NCIS with a single
overarching agency – SOCA)
NCPE National Centre for Policing Excellence - within Centrex
NCRS National Crime Recording Standards or National Crime Recording System
NCS National Crime Squad (http://www.ncis.co.uk) – previously investigated serious
and organised crime. (The provisions under the SOCPA replace NCS and
NCIS with a single overarching agency – SOCA)
NE North East area of BTP
NECTU National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit - promotes a coordinated
response to domestic extremism by providing tactical advice to the police
service, and information and guidance to industry and government
(http://www.netcu.co.uk/default.jsp)
NFA No Further Action or No Fixed Abode
NFIU National Football Intelligence Unit
NIM National Intelligence Model
NIS National Identification Service (http://www.met.police.uk/so/nis.htm)
NMPH National Missing Persons Helpline – system for the exchange of information on
missing persons cases
NNI National Nominal Index – a searchable index which will enable forces to check
which force holds intelligence about an individual, initially to be used for vetting
purposes
NOMS National Offender Management Service (http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk)
NPIA National Policing Improvement Agency
NRM National Railways Museum
NSBIS National Special Branch Intelligence System
NSIR National Standard for Information Recording
NSLEC National Specialist Law Enforcement Centre
NSPIS The National Strategy for Police Information Systems. A range of information
technology systems that aims to increase police effectiveness
NSPIS National Strategy for Police Information Systems Command & Control
C&C
NSPIS HR National Strategy for Police Information Systems Human Resources
NSY New Scotland Yard
N/T No Trace
NW North Western are of BTP
OCJR Office for Criminal Justice Reform
(http://www.cjsonline.gov.uk/the_cjs/departments_of_the_cjs/ocjr/)
OCJR OB OCJR Operations Board
ODU Organisational Development Unit
OGC Office of Government Commerce (http://www.ogc.gov.uk/)
OHA Occupational Health Adviser
OIC Officer In Charge
OICS Officer In Charge of Police Station
ORR Office of Rail Regulation (http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk) – railway industry’s
economic regulator
OSPRE Objective Structured Performance Related Examination - the qualifying
examination for promotion to the ranks of sergeant and inspector for all police
forces in England and Wales
OSU Operational Support Unit
P2P Procurement to Pay project
PA Police Authority
PACE Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1988/Uksi_19881200_en_1.htm)
PC Police Constable
PCA Police Complaints Authority
PCSO Police Community Support Officers - work alongside Police Officers to provide
a visible, accessible and familiar uniformed presence
PDA Personal Digital Assistants
PDH Plea and Directions Hearing
PDO Potentially Dangerous Offender
PDR Performance and Development Review or Personal Development Review
PDU Professional Development Unit
PE Person record
PEPS Procurement Excellence in the Police Service
PER Prisoner Escort Record
PI Performance Indicator
PINS Police Information System
PIP Professionalizing the Investigation Process programme
PITO Police Information Technology Organisation (http://www.pito.org.uk)–
responsible for the strategic development and delivery of IT systems to the
police service
PLX Police Local Cross-Check – a joint ACPO/CRB/PITO project that aims to
improve the quality and effectiveness of the enhanced disclosure process
PM Post Mortem
PMAS Police Mutual Assurance Society (http://www.pmas.co.uk)
PMM Programme Management Methodology
PMO Programme Management Office
PMU Performance Monitoring Unit
PNB Police Notebook or Pocket Note Book
PNC Police National Computer – holds records of conviction and policing
information, which can be accessed by all police forces in England and Wales
PNCB Police National Computer Bureau
PND Penalty Notices for Disorder
PNICC Police National Information and Coordination Centre
PNLD Police National Legal Database (LegalWeb)
PNMPB Police National Missing Persons Bureau
PO Police Officer
POCA Proceeds Of Crime Act 2002
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/20020029.htm)
POCCA Power of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000006.htm)
POIFIG Police Forum for Income Generation
POLSA Police Search Advisor
PPAF Policing Performance Assessment Framework – performance measures that
span the remit of police work
PPC Probationer Police Constable
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
PPP Public Private Partnership – joint private sector and government funding
 arrangement
PQs Parliamentary Questions
PR Personal Radio
PRA Police Reform Act 2002 (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/20020030.htm)
PSA Public Service Agreement
PSD Professional Standards Department
PSG Police Staff Grade
PSI Public Sector Information
PSIA Private Security Industry Act 2001
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2001/20010012.htm)
PSSO Police Skills & Standards Organisation
PSU Police Standards Unit, Home Office
PTE Passenger Transport Executive
PVH Police Visual Handbook
PYO Persistent Young Offender
QAF Quality Assurance Framework – compliance standards mechanism developed
by CRB to support forces’ Disclosure Units
QPM Queen’s Police Medal
QUEST Queries Using Extended Search Techniques
RAIB Rail Accident Investigation Branch (http://www.raib.gov.uk) – the independent
railway accident investigation organisation for the UK
RCS Regional Crime Squad
REC Racial Equality Council
REO Rail Enforcement Officers – accredited staff trained to enforce railway byelaws
and provide high-profile presence
RES Race and Equality Scheme
RIAC Railway Industry Advisory Committee
RIDDOR Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1995/Uksi_19953163_en_1.htm)
RIFAA Rail Industry First Aid Association
RIO Railway Incident Officer
RIPA Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000023.htm)
RISO Regional Information Security Officer
ROTI Record Of Taped Interview
ROVI Record of Video Interview
RPC Rail Passengers Council (http://www.railpassengers.org.uk/)
RPE Respiratory Protective Equipment
RSA Railway Study Association (http://www.railwaystudyassociation.org/)
RSAS Rail Safety Accreditation Scheme
RSSB Railway Safety and Standards Board (http://www.railwaysafety.org.uk) – not-
for-profit company owned by major rail industry stakeholders
RTA Road Traffic Accident
SAME Support Association for Minority Ethnic staff
(http://www.btp.police.uk/content/same.htm.org.uk)
SAUB Suspicious and Unusual Behaviour
SB Special Branch
SCB Standards and Compliance Body – established by CRB to monitor and regulate
the QAF in consultation with forces
SCRO Scottish Criminal Record Office
SDD Strategic Development Department
SDN Short Descriptive Note (brief summary of a taped interview)
SET South Eastern Trains – a train operating company
Sgt Sergeant
SID Scottish Intelligence Database – the national intelligence IT system used by
Scottish police forces
SIO Senior Investigating Officer
SLA Service Level Agreement
SMART Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-framed
SMP Statutory Maternity Pay
SMT Senior Management Team
SOCA Serious Organised Crime Agency (http://www.soca.gov.uk/) – introduced by
SOCPA
SOCO Scenes of Crime Officer
SOCPA Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2005/20050015.htm)
SOIT Sexual Offences Investigating Team
SOLAP Student Officer Learning Assessment Portfolio
SOP Standing Operating Procedure
SOU Special Operations Unit
SPIS Scottish Police Information Strategy
SPOC Single Point of Contact
SPPU Sentencing Policy and Penalties Unit
SR Spending Review – cycle of financial settlements for government departments
SRA Strategic Rail Authority (http://www.sra.gov.uk)
SRO Senior Responsible Owner – the project management lead
SSP Statutory Sick Pay
Supt Superintendent
SWT South West Trains – a train operating company
TBL The Blue Line – staff magazine of the BTP
TfL Transport for London (http://www.transportforlondon.gov.uk)
TI Ticket Irregularities
TIC Take Into Consideration
TOC Train Operating Company
TOR Terms of Reference
TRANSEC Security arm of the DfT
TSSA Transport and Salaried Staff Association
TSU Technical Support Unit
TUCC Transport Users’ Consultative Committee
TWA Transport and Works Act 1992
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1992/Ukpga_19920042_en_1.htm)
URN Unique Reference Number
VCE Vapour Cloud Explosion
Vehicle PNC Enquiry
Check
VEM Visible Ethnic Minority
VFM Value For Money
VIPer Video Identity Parades
ViSOR Violent and Sex Offenders’ Register
VODS Vehicle On-Line Descriptive Search
VSS Victim Support Scheme (http://www.victimsupport.com)
WCU Force Witness Care Units
WN WesterN area of BTP
WSF Women’s Strategic Forum
WWT Wanted on Warrant
Xhibit (Crown Court IT system which replaced CREST)
YJB Youth Justice Board (http://www.youth-justice-board.gov.uk)
YO Youth Offender
YOT Youth Offender Team