Profile: PC Chris Dower – Public Order Tactical Advisor
PC Chris Dower joined Cheshire Constabulary in 1997 and
completed his training as a tactical adviser in 2005.
His training began with the public order training that many
officers undergo. He then went on a three-week National Public
Order Trainers’ course which provided an overview of various
tactics. He spent almost 12 months reading and revising these
tactics, before going on a National Public Order Tactical Advisors’
course.
This focused on tactics for larger scale operations involving
more police officers. Tactical advisors are taught to consider the
bigger picture and the implications an operation might have on the
community.
Chris explained: “If you have a big event such as Creamfields or
a football match, the traditional approach might have been to flood
the area with police. A tactical adviser can balance the best
approach. This is always based on safety, not cost.
“Whereas in the past 60 officers might have been needed, with
the correct tactics the same job can be done just as effectively
with 30 officers. We take into consideration the community impact
of large numbers of public order officers wandering around an event
doing very little on the off-chance of there being trouble.
“If your training has given you the knowledge to work out better
tactics for the force then that is either 30 officers that are not
costing the taxpayer or that could be better serving the people of
Cheshire elsewhere.”
Chris completed his training with an examination in which he had
to get 100 per cent to pass, a six-month spell shadowing a tactical
adviser at a neighbouring force, and a week of writing operational
plans for real-life public order scenarios with feedback from
experienced advisors.
He continued: “Every incident is dramatically different, but
generally the questions you ask to the person who is requesting
your tactical advice are ‘what has happened?’, ‘what resources do
you have there?’, ‘what other resources are available?’ and ‘what
outcome do you want?’. You will then build recommendations based on
their answers.
“My role is as an adviser, which means I have to provide options
to the decision-makers. If I don’t then I am not advising, I am
just telling them what to do. On courses we are taught to give a
minimum of two options, and you should always recommend one of them
based on your experience.
“An investment has been made in my training, and I am now
providing a return on that investment by providing specialist
knowledge that can help keep people safe.”
Tactical advisors are officers from Vector with specialist
knowledge of how to deal with particular incidents. Since the
Constabulary has search advisors and firearms advisors, the term
generally refers to advisors who specialise in controlling public
order offences.
As their title suggests they are responsible for providing
tactical advice to the officers dealing with a situation. The
tactical advisor will usually be contacted by the Force Incident
Manager or a senior officer. Their job is to formulate options and
recommendations to help the senior officers tackle an incident as
effectively as possible, while acting as a sounding board for other
officers’ ideas.
The force has a tactical adviser on call at all times so that
they can be consulted over unexpected incidents. These spontaneous
incidents might include sieges, riots or someone who is carrying a
knife.
Another large part of the role of a tactical adviser is helping
with pre-planned policing operations including:
- Large raids
- Football matches
- Creamfields
- Marches
- Royal visits
The tactical advisor will work on the planning stage of an
operation, but also be on hand to advise senior officers while the
operation is in progress. They provide
In any instance where large numbers of people are assembling, a
tactical advisor can expect to be consulted on how best to ensure
their safety at all times.