SubscribeAtlas OPS is the leading event planning and control system developed by APL in the UK. It is in widespread use within Police and Emergency Services, used for all aspects of planning, control and briefing of major events.
The following article describes how the system has been deployed recently to manage two high security events in the Channel Islands in operations undertaken jointly by Guernsey and Dorset Police Forces.
British Irish Council Summit
In November 2004 the Island of Guernsey hosted the British Irish Council Summit. The Council was created under the Agreement reached in the Multi-Party Negotiations in Belfast in 1998 to promote positive, practical relationships among its Members, which are the British and Irish Governments, the devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Laurie Morgan, Chief Minister of the States of Guernsey. The Irish and British Governments were represented by the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern TD and the Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon John Prescott MP respectively. VIP delegates also attended from Isle of Man and Northern Ireland.
As always, high security surrounded the event, which involved officers from both Guernsey and Dorset Police forces. One of the initial intentions of the Police operation was to complete a systematic search of the primary venue, which was Castle Cornet, St Peter Port Guernsey. Once searched this area was to remain secure until conclusion of the event.
The Castle provided an excellent venue for this event with its natural ‘Island’ geography.
Once arriving on the Island officers from Dorset Police helped to establish a Forward Control Point using the facilities of the Guernsey Yacht Club.
Atlas OPS was operated from two laptop computer systems, one of which was connected to two large 50” Plasma display screens which also incorporated SMART touch screen technology.
Police control room staff utilise touch screen technology
Setup and preparation
The first task facing the Atlas OPS system was to upload the local venue maps and data. This was very kindly provided by a local Guernsey company called Digimap Services.
The data included Aerial images and street / building data for the whole island, provided in various formats including ECW, ESRI and DWG.
Once loaded into Atlas OPS, gazetteers were constructed for all roads, and key buildings. Operators then digitised key points and areas onto the maps using the drawing tools contained in Atlas OPS.
Initially the software was used to aid the search operation carried out by Police Search Advisors (POLSA).
The venue was organised into a series of search sectors, which had been drawn and printed using the digital maps provided. This included both external areas, and buildings.
As the search operation continued, the next phase for Atlas OPS was to prepare a database of all Police resources that would be used during on the day, including:
- security teams
- search teams
- firearms officers
- VIP’s
- protection officers
Associated with each resource was additional information providing details of the resources current deployment duty, contact numbers, availability, status etc.
Once created the resources were deployed onto the map screens on Atlas OPS, and used to display their current geographical locations. This provided a very powerful and highly visual overview of operational area.
Command and Control
Atlas OPS was used as the primary Command and Control System during the event. Its function included the display and logging of all resource movements, changes to their roles/tasks, arrival and movement of all VIP’s and the recording of all Policy Decisions made by the command team.
Joint services Silver control room in full swing
The Plasma screens in the diagram below show the map and resource locations on the left hand screen, with the log and resource ‘status board’ on the right hand screen – all controlled by via a single laptop computer.
As the event began the Atlas OPS system soon became the focal point of the Command Room either to view the operational deployments or input updates into the event log.
As the VIPS moved from their various Hotels or arrived at the airport, Atlas OPS displayed their movement until arrival at the venue.
The control room remained fully staffed with Atlas OPS maintaining a full audit log of arrivals and departures, plus additional command decisions.
The use of Atlas OPS in the forward control centre was hailed a great success, and displayed how this system can be deployed to a temporary location, used to input site and intelligence data, and assist the command team in controlling and managing such an event from start to finish.
Approximately 2 hours after the event was concluded, the equipment was boxed, the temporary control room returned to its owners, officers from Dorset on an aircraft home, and Guernsey Police returning to their normal duties.
Liberation Day 60 – Royal Visit
In May 2005 the Channel Islands celebrated 60 years since being liberated following the end of the Second World War. This was without doubt one of the largest security operations to be held on the Islands following the announcement that the celebrations would involve a visit by HRH the Queen and Prince Philip.
Atlas OPS was deployed by Dorset Police who were again providing assistance to Guernsey Police to provide the command and control for the joint Police Control Room.
Dorset officers deployed to the Islands 3 days prior to the event, and began to assemble the forward control room, which would be used to coordinate the event. The FCP venue was ideally located in the RBS Bank offices at Weighbridge roundabout where the Queen would unveil a stone marking the 60th anniversary of liberation from German occupation.
Once the necessary communications, CCTV and 50” Plasma touch screen systems used to view Atlas OPS were assembled, the control room was used to coordinate the Police security and search operation.
Silver Commanders using Atlas OPS in the Event Control Room
One of the primary roles in the lead up to the event of Dorset Police was to provide a complete search using POLSA trained officers of all venues and areas that would be visited by the Royal party. This included;
- The Airport
- Beau Sejour Leisure Centre
- Weighbridge roundabout and sea front
- Government House
Atlas OPS was used to display maps of areas of interest during briefings, floor plans of key venues such as the Leisure Centre, and primarily to display locations of all resources and VIP movements to the Silver Command Team responsible for control of the event.
The Queen and Prince Philip meet the crowds
The audit logging part of Atlas OPS recorded all key decisions and actions made during the event.
Following the departure of the Royal party, Atlas OPS remained fully operational in order to manage the huge parade of marching bands, floats and hundreds of World War II vehicles.
Liberation Day 60 Parade
On conclusion of the parade, normal policing was returned to the main Police control room, and the event control was dismantled.