Police focus on driver ‘engagement and education over enforcement’

Police have teamed up with the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) in an effort to foster better relations with fleet operators.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Commercial Vehicle Unit (CVU) want to boost engagement with commercial fleets, committing to a more educational approach and creating an environment of open dialogue in addition to a focus on enforcement.

Learnings from the FORS Practitioner ‘Managing Abnormal Indivisible Loads’ training module have been incorporated into the CVU’s own ‘Toolbox Talks’.

Content from FORS has also been described as enormously beneficial in the CVU’s understanding of operators’ obligations.

It is also looking to integrate more FORS content into its own training material.

Five response sergeants from the unit will complete the full FORS Practitioner programme, a series of 10 individual modules covering all aspects of fleet management.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Alex Burlison of the Met’s CVU, will undertake the 15-module FORS Advanced Practitioner programme.

He said: “Of course, our responsibility for roadside enforcement is crucial but we’re also becoming increasingly focused on education and engagement with hauliers.

“Transport managers’ roles are so much more than mere compliance and FORS has really helped us appreciate the many and varied aspects of running a successful fleet operation. I think we’re all buying into the FORS best practice mindset.”

Burlison explained: “We want to build better relations with all commercial vehicle operators and our Toolbox Talks not only deliver on a training level, but they also provide a platform for operators to feedback.

“We’re receiving calls from hauliers every day requesting more Toolbox Talks and more engagement, and FORS is helping to ensure we’re all singing from the same hymn sheet.”

Through its training portfolio, Burlison told Fleet News that FORS provides a “truly comprehensive knowledge base”.

“It’s apparent that commercial vehicle operators are engaging with FORS directly,” he continued: “So, it makes sense for us to be part of the narrative.

“Undoubtedly, we’re fostering better relations with hauliers, and I think the perception of the Met Police is also improving.”

The Met’s Commercial Vehicle Unit is the largest dedicated police unit in Europe and provides cover 24/7365.

It has 65 officers based at multiple locations across London. They respond to incidents involving large vehicles providing specialist advice to colleagues and are responsible for dealing with incidents at the Blackwall Tunnel.

Working in partnership with DVSA, one team, the Industrial HGV Taskforce is a mix of police officers and DVSA Vehicle and Traffic Examiners.

The CVU targets unsafe and non-compliant operators who pose the greatest risk to road safety and the reputation of the UK transport and logistics industry.

FORS is an international voluntary accreditation scheme that helps improve operators’ performance.

It provides one over-arching accreditation process covering all aspects of safety, fuel efficiency, economical operations and vehicle emissions.

The scheme, which was established in 2008, is open to vehicle operators of all types throughout the UK and Europe.