Dated: 18 Nov 2020
POLICY TITLE: Motor Patrols - Use of Police signs by the Fire Brigade
OWNING DIRECTORATE: Local Policing and Operations
AUTHOR: Chief Inspector, Motor Patrols
CONTACT DETAILS: 101
EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT: Complete
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AIM OF POLICY: To advise officers of the arrangement with Fire and Rescue regarding the placing of signage at Road Traffic Collisions.
BENEFIT OF POLICY: Information for police officers attending the scene of a Road Traffic Collision.
REASON FOR POLICY: Article 2 of the Human Rights Act 1998. S.58 Road Traffic Regulation Act (RTRA) 1967 allows a person acting under the instructions of a Chief Officer of Police to place Police Stop, Slow or Accident signs on a highway.
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Section 58 Road Traffic Regulation Act (RTRA) 1967 allows a person acting under the instructions of a Chief Officer of the Police to place Police Stop, Slow or Accident signs on a highway.
In order to improve safety at the scene of road traffic collisions and other incidents to which fire & rescue appliances may be called, fire service staff placing such signs prior to the arrival of police officers and in accordance with Northumbria Police guidance will be considered as acting on the instructions of the Chief Constable for the purposes of S.58 RTRA.
The Chief Constable has also given the same delegated authority to military personnel performing firefighting duties, until further notice.
Once police officers arrive at the scene they will review the signing and if necessary amend it, at which time fire staff will leave in situ, remove or reposition signs placed by them if required to do so by a police officer.
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SOURCE DOCUMENT: Section 58 Road Traffic Regulation Act (RTRA) 1967
GROUPS AFFECTED: All Police Officers
ACCESS AND DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS: None
