Sussex Police Specialist Search Unit
Sussex Police Specialist Search Unit (SSU) is responsible for all searches where additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required
Effectively the team will carry out searches where other officers cannot or will not search. The Unit works on a Monday to Friday basis but will often vary the working hours to accommodate an operational requirement.
Sussex Police Specialist Search Unit
The SSU is qualified and has the correct equipment to work in the following environments:
1. Underwater search
2. Major crime searches in addition to general search
3. Confined space entry and search
4. Rope Access and working at height
5. Swift Water Operations (i.e. flooded areas)
6. Marine capability
7. CBRN searches
8. Disaster victim recovery
The SSU can be contacted to assist officers in any of the above scenarios. Many incidents may fit into the above criteria where a risk becomes involved and divisional officers would not be safe to continue with their task.
The SSU has expertise in the search and recovery of:
The team is also qualified to locate and identify improvised explosive devices and their component parts.
In more detail some of the above specialist procedures can be defined as follows:
1. Underwater search
2. Major crime searches in addition to general search
3. Confined space entry and search
4. Rope Access and working at height
5. Swift Water Operations (i.e. flooded areas)
6. Marine capability
7. CBRN searches
8. Disaster victim recovery
The SSU can be contacted to assist officers in any of the above scenarios. Many incidents may fit into the above criteria where a risk becomes involved and divisional officers would not be safe to continue with their task.
The SSU has expertise in the search and recovery of:
- Bodies/ Missing Persons
- Stolen property and vehicles
- Weapons and firearms
- Drugs
The team is also qualified to locate and identify improvised explosive devices and their component parts.
In more detail some of the above specialist procedures can be defined as follows:
- Underwater search – The SSU are all fully qualified to dive in any body of water up to 50 metres deep including rivers, canals, lakes, ponds, ditches and costal areas and can assist with the search and recovery of almost anything in this environment.
- Major crime and general search - The team is
trained and highly experienced in conducting searches at serious incidents. In addition the SSU is also able to assist with Section 18 searches and search warrants for drugs and property.
Confined space entry and search – The SSU is equipped and trained to search confined spaces (which can include basements, tunnels, sewers and wells) for property relating to crime or for the purpose of a counter terrorism or missing person search
Rope access and working at height – All members of the Unit are trained to work at height (any height over 2 metres). This would include searching the roofs or sides of buildings or structures for evidence, property, persons or explosives as well as gaining access to places at height should the need arise.
Swift water operations - Should there be an incident where there are floods or an environment where there is fast flowing water, the SSU has the training and equipment to assist other services where necessary. Ensuring the safety and welfare of the public and colleagues.
Marine capability – The SSU has two rigid inflatable boats which are both used in support of inland diving operations. The larger boat is capable of marine patrol up to the 12 mile territorial policing limit.
For contact details please see the SSU intranet page on the Operations Department Website.
For contact details please see the SSU intranet page on the Operations Department Website.
