Latest changes to APP

APP is subject to review (either scheduled or triggered) in consultation with the relevant National Policing Business Area. All amendments go through a review process and further information is available from contactus@college.police.uk

More detailed changes to APP content may be recorded separately by the the APP team. If you require a copy of APP as it was on a particular date (for example, for an enquiry) please email contactcentre@college.police.uk. All requests must be approved by the relevant Policing Standards Manager.

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Guidance name

Download these changes

Date	Category	Guidance	Changes
26 September 2023	Major investigation and public protection > Managing sexual offenders and violent offenders	Multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA)	Updated HM Prison and Probation Service reference.
26 September 2023	Major investigation and public protection > Managing sexual offenders and violent offenders	Notification requirements	Text amendment to introduction and removal of reference to Risk Matrix in referral criteria.
26 September 2023	Major investigation and public protection > Managing sexual offenders and violent offenders	Reviews	Offender Assessment System (OASys) added to section on Violent and Sex Offender Register (ViSOR) record inspection.
18 September 2023	Major investigation and public protection > Modern slavery	List of anti-slavery charities and non-governmental organisations	Updated contact number for Medaille Trust.
8 September 2023	Armed policing	Armed deployment	Addition of content to existing sections on: 'Assess threat and risk and develop a working strategy' 'Briefing' 'Briefing' – '5. Keeping a record'
8 September 2023	Armed policing	Command	Amendment to existing section on 'Command roles and functions' – addition of content about separation of responsibilities of different functions. Addition of new section and content with subheading 'Planning meetings', beneath 'Initial command responsibility'. Amendment to existing section on 'Sustained public protection' – addition of content about balancing risk and sufficiency of evidence, and consulting with sentencing guidelines. Amendment to replace the term 'imminent' with 'real and immediate' in the existing section, 'Approval and authorisation of tactical plans'. Amendment to bulleted lists of responsibilities for both strategic firearms commanders (SFCs) and tactical firearms commanders (TFCs), to clarify that 'actions and decisions are recorded in accordance with national minimum standards'. Renamed heading 'Occupational and operational competence within command roles' to 'Selection and accreditation for command and tactical advisor roles', and added content relating to an auditable selection process for SFCs and TFCs. Addition of new content beneath existing heading 'Re-accreditation and refresher process for commanders and tactical advisors'.
8 September 2023	Armed policing	Discharge of firearms	Amendments to replace the term 'imminent' with 'real and immediate' – this change affects content under the existing sections, 'Critical shot' and 'Threat to life'.
8 September 2023	Armed policing	Legal framework	Change to existing section on 'Lawful orders' to replace the term 'order' with 'authorisation'.
8 September 2023	Armed policing	Post-deployment	Amendment to existing sections on: 'Special leave or suspension from duty' – addition of circumstance where key police witnesses (KPWs) should not contact colleagues in the police service. 'Authorisation' – addition of content around making evidence-based assessments about permitting officers and staff to resume duties. Addition of new content about 'Body-worn video' beneath existing section on 'Record information'.
8 September 2023	Armed policing	Use of force, firearms and less lethal weapons	Addition of new heading 'Command authorisation to use force'. 'Access to decisive information' moved below new heading 'Command authorisation to use force'. Addition of new heading 'Rifle-initiated entry to save life' and associated new content. Amendment to replace the term 'imminent' with 'real and immediate' in the existing section, 'Influencing factors'.