Information about the role of a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear tactical commander (silver), including the role purpose, key responsibilities and the skills required.
About the role
A chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) tactical commander (silver) is a specialist operations position within the operational support sector of policing. It's a manager role in the policing professional profiles.
The CBRN tactical commander (silver) delivers the tactical options against the wider operational strategy. They ensure that the delivery is both coordinated with partner agencies and the tactical priorities and parameters and mitigate the health and safety risks when implementing the tactical options.
They employ clear and recorded decision-making, within their level of operational responsibility, to support the aims of the operation. They ensure that all records of decisions made and rationales are recorded to allow for any scrutiny post-incident.
Key responsibilities
Key responsibility statements show the accountabilities for someone in this role. They focus on what is done, not how it is done.
- Managing and coordinating multi-agency resources and activities, where required, to facilitate a multi-agency response to CBRN incidents in line with joint emergency services interoperability programme (JESIP) principles.
- Assessing the wider impact of the specialist tactical options, making use of the scientific and technical advice cell (STAC) to mitigate the impact on the local community and public safety.
- Developing tactical plans for the deployment of CBRN resources, considering any tactical parameters, to achieve strategic objectives.
- Analysing information and intelligence as part of the process for developing an ongoing tactical response to support the successful outcome of the operation.
- Identifying the best tactical options by conducting analysis and receiving specialist advice to achieve operational and strategic objectives.
- Developing lines of communication to ensure that any changes to either the strategic or tactical objectives of an operation are communicated to all operational commanders efficiently.
Competencies, values and core skills
The competency and values framework (CVF) provides clear expectations for everyone working in policing. It describes the behaviours required by police officers and staff to be effective in their roles and uphold the Code of Ethics for policing.
Competencies
The CVF has six competencies, which are split into levels. These levels can be used flexibly to allow for a better fit with frontline and non-frontline policing roles, and at different levels of seniority. This ensures that there is consistency throughout all the policing professional profiles. Some roles may contain different CVF levels due to the specialist nature of the role. Those working at higher levels should also fulfil the requirements of the lower levels.
This role should be operating at or working towards the following competencies.
- We are emotionally aware – Level 2: supervisor or middle manager
- We take ownership – Level 2: Supervisor or middle manager
- We collaborate – Level 2: supervisor or middle manager
- We support and inspire – Level 2: supervisor or middle manager
- We analyse critically – Level 2: supervisor or middle manager
- We are innovative and open-minded – Level 2: Supervisor or middle manager
Values
The CVF has three values. These values apply to everyone in policing, regardless of their role or seniority.
Core skills
All roles in policing have nine core skills in common. These are split into levels that represent the different levels of policing.
This role should be operating at or working towards the following core skills.
- Communicating and influencing – Level 3
- Problem solving – Level 3
- Performance management – Level 3
- Relationship management – Level 3
- Change management – Level 3
- Managing people – Level 3
- Managing resources – Level 3
- Planning – Level 3
- Use of IT – Level 3
Education, qualifications and experience
To achieve effective performance in the role, the following standards, training and qualifications should be met.
Previous education, qualifications and experience
- Hold the rank of at least inspector (other ranks may be considered in exceptional circumstances).
- Experience and understanding of major incident procedures and management.
- Experience and understanding of initial operational response (IOR).
- Knowledge of national and local CBRN policies.
- Must have successfully completed a College of Policing command course and is operationally competent in a command function.
- Successful completion of the national multi-agency CBRN tactical commanders course.
- Holds vetting level of security check (SC) or above (or SC in progress at the time of the CBRN tactical commanders course).
In-role education, qualifications and experience
- None specified.
Continuing professional development
Continuing professional development (CPD) enables everyone in policing to develop and gain recognition for their professional skills, knowledge and competence.
CPD ensures that we continue to provide high-quality policing to keep the public safe and help to drive career aspirations. Discussion of CPD is usually included as part of professional development review (PDR) conversations.
Learning and accreditation
- Maintain CPD in line with the guidance published by the national chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear centre (NCBRNC).
- Complete all core training and learning required by the force.
- Any exemptions to learning and accreditation requirements are at chief constable discretion, in line with the local force policy.
Professional development
This role should consider the following CPD:
- maintaining an oversight of the developing local, regional and national threats concerning the CBRN threat
- keeping up to date with changing legislation and national guidance and how this may affect own role
- keeping up to date with CBRN and command and control trends and learning as announced through the national learning and development groups
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