Gwent Police has unveiled what is almost certainly the most advanced mobile Incident Command Unit (ICU) to be ordered by the UK’s police service to date. Developed by Excelerate Technology in partnership with a team from Gwent Police’s Emergency Planning Department, it will provide a tactical silver command solution that will support preparedness for all civil contingencies throughout Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen in Southeast Wales. The vehicle will also be deployed at large scale public events such as the forthcoming Ryder Cup.

This advanced ICU has a roof mounted transportable satellite solution that enables real-time voice, data and video information to be shared with Gold Command to provide a common operating picture. The roof line was converted to provide a practical and spacious working environment for operational personnel working inside the vehicle where three workstations have been installed with ruggedised screens on which a wide range of specialised command support applications can be run. These include risk and asset management database information and email, instant messaging and video-conferencing.

Gwent Police’s new ICU has already been deployed to a number of major incidents and played a pivotal role during Operation Utah on 11 December 2009. This large-scale operation targeted travelling criminals in Gwent and involved more than 150 police officers from 6 forces and representatives from the DVLA, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), VOSA (Vehicle Inspectorate), HM Revenue and Customs, Her Majesty’s Court Service and the Environment Agency. The vehicle provided essential communications throughout the operation, which resulted in 32 vehicles being seized, and 13 people arrested.