Part of Vector’s role is to carry out searches. That might
include searching for missing people, drugs or firearms. If a
missing person is found dead, it is Vector’s responsibility to
recover the body.
When a VIP is visiting the county, it is Vector officers who
carry out the search around the route or location of the visit.
This includes looking in roof spaces and sewers – so officers
within the department are trained in gaining access to inaccessible
places.
The Search Team currently consists of around 100 officers.
Around half of these work within the Vector team and are based at
headquarters. The rest are based around the county.
All of the search officers have been trained at the Police
National Search Centre, a joint police and military training
facility. After initial training, search advisors have a
requirement to undergo regularly training and keep their skills
up-to-date.
There are also search team leaders who have undergone additional
training to allow them to manage searches.
Calling in the search team
A senior investigating officer will establish whether they need
to conduct a search for a particular incident. If a search is
required, the officer will contact a police search advisor or
Polsa. The investigating officer will discuss the details of the
case and the Polsa will provide tactical advice. Once they have
decided the type of search that is required, the police search
advisor will then oversee and manage the search.