Behind the Scenes: Leading Intelligence for a Major International Event

Policing major international events is a complex and demanding task, and the European Political Community Summit at Blenheim Palace was no exception. In this blog, Detective Chief Inspector Nikki, the Bronze Intelligence Lead for Operation Pledge, shares her role in ensuring the safety and success of this high-profile event. Nikki worked alongside various partners and agencies to manage intelligence, identify potential risks, and ensure everything ran smoothly.

What was your specific role in the policing of this event?

I was the Bronze Intelligence Lead for Operation Pledge, a major UK policing and security operation facilitating the European Political Community Summit held at Blenheim Palace in July. This role involved identifying, setting up, and running an intelligence cell comprising partners and stakeholders across the UK, including the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). My responsibilities included setting clear intelligence strategies and bringing all partners together to assess potential threats and risks leading up to and during the operational period.

How did TVP collaborate with other forces or agencies to ensure the event ran smoothly?

Collaboration with other forces was significant and constantly evolving within the intelligence environment as new information emerged. Numerous meetings across different commands, briefings, and the sharing of information took place among various police forces, specialisms, the Home Office, and the FCDO. I also implemented an intelligence collection plan to ensure efficiency in both gathering and disseminating information within the intelligence community, informing any changes in operational planning.

How did the scale and complexity of this event compare to other events you’ve been involved in?

This was by far one of the largest and most complex events I have ever been involved in. Working with a high number of partners and managing the varying levels of intelligence expected when hosting a gathering of heads of state presented unique challenges.

What was the most rewarding or memorable aspect of your involvement in this event?

The most rewarding aspect of my involvement was the immense sense of pride in seeing months of work across my team come together successfully. The interoperability and collaboration within UK policing were evident, as was the opportunity to meet and work with so many new people from various organizations. Together, we delivered a highly successful event.

How did the international nature of the event influence the approach to policing?

The international nature of the event meant that the eyes of the world were on us. It was essential to demonstrate the professionalism that defines UK policing while carefully considering, assessing, and mitigating risks unique to an international gathering. We also engaged with previous host countries of the European Political Community Summit to ensure effective information sharing and preparation.

What were the key takeaways or lessons learned from this experience?

One key takeaway from this experience is that policing is a profession of continuous learning. You never know everything; each role and each person you work with provides valuable insights. Being part of such a large and complex event has been incredible and has further highlighted the importance of adaptability and teamwork in achieving success.

In what ways do you feel this event has impacted or improved TVP’s ability to manage future international events?

TVP delivers large-scale operations extremely well, thanks to significant planning and collaboration across the force. The successful delivery of this event has further enhanced TVP’s capability to manage future international events, building on the lessons learned and refining our processes to achieve even greater efficiency and effectiveness.

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If you feel inspired and want a career that lets you be part of such international events, why not join our TVP team? Visit our Police Officer page to learn more and start your policing journey!