Operational Support

Officers in the Armed Response Unit are trained, equipped and deployed to support district colleagues by dealing with spontaneous and pre-planned incidents where people are armed with firearms, knives and other weapons.

The Close Protection Unit provide protection services to designated persons in Northern Ireland.

The Dog Section provides the Police Service of Northern Ireland with specialist search capabilities, the ability to track people and look for evidence of criminality.

The Emergency Planning Unit works together with local government, statutory and community partners in planning for, response to and recovery from emergencies and disruption.

The Firearms and Explosives Branch (FEB) are the Chief Constable's delegated authority to manage firearms licensing in line with the Firearms (NI) Order 2004.

Information security and records management are fundamental to how the Police Service of Northern Ireland manage many of the challenges faced in policing today.

The Operational Planning Hub is the engine room of the Operational Support Department.  

The Operational Policy Unit is a sub branch within the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Operational Support Department.

A Police Search Advisor (PolSA) is responsible for the planning, organisation, management and control of Crime, Missing Person and Counter Terrorism searches.  

Operational and Tactical Development Unit (OTDU) carry out a range of services within Operational Support Department.

Tactical Support Group (TSG) officers are trained in a range of specialist tactics and deliver a highly versatile mobile resource supporting District Policing colleagues across all of Northern Ireland.

The Road Policing Unit leads the Police Service of Northern Ireland's commitment to policing together for safe, secure and efficient roads.

The main purpose is to provide the Police Service of Northern Ireland, with access to a high quality effective and efficient forensic capability, delivered within a timely manner, to help maximise scientific opportunities to assist in the identification of offenders and improve public confidence.