Authorised Professional Practice (APP) is the body of consolidated guidance for policing, which was launched in October 2012. APP significantly reduces the amount of national guidance in circulation, encourages the use of professional discretion, and brings consistency to all authorised police practice. APP is presented in a single interactive (PDF) format to allow instant access and the ability to link between policing areas.

APP currently exists for the following business areas:

• Investigation
• Intelligence Management
• Information Management
• Operations
• Engagement and Communications
• Prosecution and Case Management
• Detention and Custody
• Decision Making
• Armed Policing
• CBRN
• Civil Contingencies
• Mobilisation
• Organised Crime
• Public Order

Areas of specific APP identified for release between now and the end of 2013 include:

• Counter Terrorism
• Covert
• Domestic Extremism
• Cyber Crime
• Financial Investigation
• Forensics
• Major Crime
• Prison Intelligence
• Professional Standards
• Protecting Vulnerable People
• Roads Policing
• Stop and Search

The APP Programme is governed by a Professional Practice Steering Group (chaired by the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police and ACPO Vice President, Sara Thornton). The Steering Group oversees development of the APP Programme and ensures coordination and consistency across business areas.

Police officers and staff can access APP via their force intranets. Reference material linked to APP can be downloaded from the right side of this page.

For more information, please see the Authorised Professional Practice community on POLKA (for police users who are registered on POLKA) or email APP.

For access to existing professional practice publications, please use the National Police Library.