Operational and Tactical Development Unit (OTDU) is a branch within Operational Support Department. The unit services both Protective Services Branch and Public Order Public Safety Branch and the respective Superintendents.
OTDU carry out the secretarial function of Service Governance Meetings:
- Uniform Protective Measures Committee
- Firearms Working Group
- Firearms Strategic Board
- Public Order Working Group
- Public Order Strategic Board
- Ergonomics Working Group
- Search Governance Group
- Spit and Bite Guard Working Group
Areas of responsibility include policy for:
- Firearms and Armed Policing (Incl. Less Lethal Technologies)
- Public Order
- Corporate Appearance and Protective Equipment
- Police Search
- Use of Force (including the Electronic Use of Force Monitoring System)
- Death Investigations
- Police Service of Northern Ireland Manual of Conflict Management
- Critical Incidents
- Police Service of Northern Ireland Drones
- Police Service of Northern Ireland Boats
The unit also liaises with external statutory and voluntary agencies and individuals to support the organisational objective of keeping people safe through policing with the community. Policy is constantly reviewed in line with legislative and operational requirements as well as accepted recommendations from external reviews or investigations.