Area Major Incident Pool
Encyclopedia
The Area Major Incident Pool (AMIP) is a defunct unit of Greater London
's Metropolitan Police
.
From 1985 to 2000, the Area Major Incident Pool consisted of experienced detective
s available to assist divisional
, station
based CID detectives
in the investigation of major crimes, such as non-domestic murders or those that crossed the boundaries of divisions.
In 1985, as part of then Commissioner's, Kenneth Newman
's restructuring the 67 divisions of the Metropolitan Police District
were divided among eight numbered geographical areas. Based at each Area headquarters were several specialist units, including AMIP and drugs squads, intended to decentralise some of the specialist units based at New Scotland Yard.
During 1992 the number of areas was reduced to five, being Central
, North West, North East, South East and South West. In 1999 the areas were reduced to three (Central, North and South), with the AMIP teams being changed accordingly.
In 2000, as a result of the Macpherson Report which followed the death of Stephen Lawrence
, area policing was discontinued in favour of borough policing, forming Borough Operational Command Units (BOCU).
Since 2000, much of AMIPs previous duties are performed by the Major/Murder Investigation Teams of the Specialist Crime Directorate
.
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
's Metropolitan Police
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
.
From 1985 to 2000, the Area Major Incident Pool consisted of experienced detective
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
s available to assist divisional
Police division
A division was the usual term for the largest territorial subdivision of most British police forces. In major reforms of police organisation in the 1990s divisions of many forces were restructured and retitled Basic Command Units , although some forces continue to refer to them as divisions.The...
, station
Police station
A police station or station house is a building which serves to accommodate police officers and other members of staff. These buildings often contain offices and accommodation for personnel and vehicles, along with locker rooms, temporary holding cells and interview/interrogation rooms.- Facilities...
based CID detectives
Criminal Investigation Department
The Crime Investigation Department is the branch of all Territorial police forces within the British Police and many other Commonwealth police forces, to which plain clothes detectives belong. It is thus distinct from the Uniformed Branch and the Special Branch.The Metropolitan Police Service CID,...
in the investigation of major crimes, such as non-domestic murders or those that crossed the boundaries of divisions.
In 1985, as part of then Commissioner's, Kenneth Newman
Kenneth Newman
Sir Kenneth Leslie Newman, GBE, QPM was Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police from 1982 to 1987 and Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary from 1976 to 1980...
's restructuring the 67 divisions of the Metropolitan Police District
Metropolitan Police District
The Metropolitan Police District is the police area which is policed by London's Metropolitan Police Service. It currently consists of Greater London, excluding the City of London.-History:...
were divided among eight numbered geographical areas. Based at each Area headquarters were several specialist units, including AMIP and drugs squads, intended to decentralise some of the specialist units based at New Scotland Yard.
During 1992 the number of areas was reduced to five, being Central
Central London
Central London is the innermost part of London, England. There is no official or commonly accepted definition of its area, but its characteristics are understood to include a high density built environment, high land values, an elevated daytime population and a concentration of regionally,...
, North West, North East, South East and South West. In 1999 the areas were reduced to three (Central, North and South), with the AMIP teams being changed accordingly.
In 2000, as a result of the Macpherson Report which followed the death of Stephen Lawrence
Stephen Lawrence
Stephen Lawrence was a black British teenager from Eltham, southeast London, who was stabbed to death while waiting for a bus on the evening of 22 April 1993....
, area policing was discontinued in favour of borough policing, forming Borough Operational Command Units (BOCU).
Since 2000, much of AMIPs previous duties are performed by the Major/Murder Investigation Teams of the Specialist Crime Directorate
Specialist Crime Directorate
The Specialist Crime Directorate is one of the main branches of the London Metropolitan Police Service. It deals with a wide range of criminality from murder to organised crime. Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick is currently the head of the directorate...
.