Transport Operational Command Unit
Encyclopedia
The Safer Transport Command (formerly "Transport Operational Command Unit" or "TOCU") is a unit of the London
Metropolitan Police Service
that polices buses
, bus routes, taxis and minicabs
. It does not police national railways in London
, London Underground
, Docklands Light Railway
or Tramlink
, which fall under the remit of the British Transport Police
. General road policing is performed by a separate Traffic Operational Command Unit
.
Formed in 2002 as a joint venture with Transport for London
, it consolidated several existing policing operations. It is now the largest Operational Command Unit in the Metropolitan Police, with over 1000 staff, and is a large employer of Traffic Warden
s and Police Community Support Officer
s. The OCU also has Special Constables working along side regular officers in all areas of the command.
The Unit maintains a joint command and control centre with London Buses
called Metrocomm, which is also the command and control centre of the Traffic Operational Command Unit.
As of 1 April 2009, Transport OCU has become part of Territorial Policing but further details are unknown.
As of 29 September 2009, Transport OCU has become known as the Safer Transport Command however further details of the transition remain unknown.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Metropolitan Police Service
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
that polices buses
Buses in London
The London Bus is one of London's principal icons, the archetypal red rear-entrance double-deck Routemaster being recognised worldwide. Although the Routemaster has now been largely phased out of service, with only two heritage routes still using the vehicles, the majority of buses in London are...
, bus routes, taxis and minicabs
Taxicabs of the United Kingdom
Taxicabs are regulated throughout the United Kingdom, but the regulation of taxicabs in London is especially rigorous both with regard to mechanical integrity and driver knowledge. An official report observed that: "Little however is known about the regulation by anyone outside the trade...
. It does not police national railways in London
Rail transport in Great Britain
The railway system in Great Britain is the oldest in the world, with the world's first locomotive-hauled public railway opening in 1825. As of 2010, it consists of of standard gauge lines , of which are electrified. These lines range from single to double, triple, quadruple track and up to twelve...
, London Underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
, Docklands Light Railway
Docklands Light Railway
The Docklands Light Railway is an automated light metro or light rail system opened on 31 August 1987 to serve the redeveloped Docklands area of London...
or Tramlink
Tramlink
Tramlink is a tramway system in south London in the United Kingdom which began operation in May 2000...
, which fall under the remit of the British Transport Police
British Transport Police
The British Transport Police is a special police force that polices those railways and light-rail systems in Great Britain for which it has entered into an agreement to provide such services...
. General road policing is performed by a separate Traffic Operational Command Unit
Traffic Operational Command Unit
The Traffic Operational Command Unit is a Central Operations branch of the London Metropolitan Police Service. The unit is responsible for policing of the roads, such as the London road network. It has been in existence since 1930, when motor traffic patrols were set up at police stations...
.
Formed in 2002 as a joint venture with Transport for London
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
, it consolidated several existing policing operations. It is now the largest Operational Command Unit in the Metropolitan Police, with over 1000 staff, and is a large employer of Traffic Warden
Traffic warden
A traffic warden is a non-warranted officer employed by a statutory authority in jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Ireland, to assist in regulating the flow of traffic.- Ireland :...
s and Police Community Support Officer
Police community support officer
A police community support officer , or community support officer is a uniformed non-warranted officer employed by a territorial police force or the British Transport Police in England and Wales. Police community support officers were introduced in September 2002 by the Police Reform Act 2002...
s. The OCU also has Special Constables working along side regular officers in all areas of the command.
The Unit maintains a joint command and control centre with London Buses
London Buses
London Buses is the subsidiary of Transport for London that manages bus services within Greater London, UK. Buses are required to carry similar red colour schemes and conform to the same fare scheme...
called Metrocomm, which is also the command and control centre of the Traffic Operational Command Unit.
As of 1 April 2009, Transport OCU has become part of Territorial Policing but further details are unknown.
As of 29 September 2009, Transport OCU has become known as the Safer Transport Command however further details of the transition remain unknown.