11 February 2026
Minutes of Meeting
Meeting: COT Board
Venue: Conference Room 5, Harrogate Police Station
Date and Time: 11th February 2026, 12:30 – 3pm
ITEM 1: ATTENDANCE
CC T Forber - Chair
ACO L Stitt – Assistant Chief Officer
ACC B Moseley – Specialist Operations
ACC C Clarke – Local Policing and Safeguarding
L Branford-White – Chief Finance Officer
R Baran – Director of Corporate Development
Sgt L Nijaila – Staff Officer to DCC
S Gardiner – Governance Support Officer
APOLOGIES
DCC Bisset – Deputy Chief Constable
ITEM 2: Review of Minutes.
Summary of Discussion:
The minutes of the previous board were reviewed and agreed.
ITEM 3: Review of Action Log.
Summary of Discussion:
Action #1 – Casefile Management Systems – Remitted to Savings and Efficiency Board and Assets Meeting. Closed.
Action #4 – OneNote move to OneDrive. Resolved. Closed.
ITEM 4: Operational Support Directorate Proposal
Summary of Discussion:
Supt Roffe Specialist Operations joined the meeting and presented the briefing on the Operational Support Directorate.
The paper set out a refresh of the Operational Support Directorate, bringing together structural change, cultural alignment, and clearer support for neighbourhood policing and made clear this represented a significant operating model shift, described as the most ambitious change in this area for around 15 years.
Supt Roffe provided assurance that specialist capability was not being reduced, the change is about accessibility, cohesion, and culture. With a shift towards a more cohesive, centrally tasked support model with stronger local footprint in neighbourhood teams.
The change is designed to better match the nature and volume of demand coming into North Yorkshire Police. With a clear emphasis on proactive, preventative policing supported by integrated specialist functions.
A discussion took place around the renaming of units within the Specialist Support Directorate and the engagement and implementation a formal launch event is planned for the 24th April, supported by a communications plan, branding and recognition activity.
Major Collision Investigation Team would become the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (aligning with College of Policing and national standards).
The standardisation of roads policing roles and titles in line with national practice. These changes aimed to improve clarity, professionalism, and external understanding.
DECISION -
- Endorse the renaming of Specialist Operations to Operational Support. Supported.
- Endorse the renaming of the Major Collision Investigation Team to Serious Collision Investigation Unit. Supported.
- Endorse the standardisation of Roads Policing officer titles to Police Constable / Police Sergeant and the renaming of the Roads Policing Group to Roads Policing Unit. Supported.
- Commission the completion of an implementation plan covering HR, ICT, communications, and document updates. Supported.
ACO Stitt raised concern around some support staff within the Specialist Operations Directorate wearing uniform. ACC Moseley noted the concerns and will review and update the board.
ITEM 5: Public Order Resources
Summary of Discussion:
Supt Roffe Specialist Operations provided a briefing to the board.
North Yorkshire Police recruit and train Officers in Public Order Policing to ensure that NYP can maintain Public Order within the force area and meet national requirements to contribute to the Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR) across the UK.
The force is currently in a much stronger position on Public Order capability than in previous years, with improved resilience across commands, supervision, and deployment levels. The update gave reassurance that PSU capacity is being actively managed and no longer at the critical low points seen historically.
While some specialist gaps remain, the overall PSU position was presented as stable and improving, with no immediate concerns raised.
COT noted the report.
ITEM 6: Monthly Performance Update (January)
Summary of Discussion:
Dan Southern Head of Data and Insight and Chief Inspector Langley Operational Performance & Continuous Improvement joined the meeting to present the January data.
Immediate response performance remains above the national benchmark at 85%, with urban performance strongest and rural performance slightly below but improving.
Priority grades show month on month improvement following a dip in December.
The response picture was described as robust and improving, supported by better tasking and supervisory oversight.
Total recorded crime was at 3340 against 3442 in previous period last year and had returned to a downward trajectory following a December increase and is now below the same period last year.
Burglary (residential) showed a significant reduction across all commands, attributed to targeted plans, and proactive activity.
Robbery (personal) had reduced sharply, with arrests and outcomes already achieved in several cases.
Vehicle crime and criminal damage continue long term downward trends.
Retail crime had increased in one command area, but this was attributed to improved reporting, engagement and enforcement, with strong charge and outcome rates providing reassurance.
Rape and serious sexual offences saw a localised increase, this was reviewed and confirmed as non stranger cases, with arrests and safeguarding activity in place.
Domestic abuse related crime showed a slight increase, within expected seasonal levels, but remain an area of ongoing scrutiny.
Child sexual exploitation volumes remain very low, continuing a longer term pattern.
Outcome rates are below desired levels, reflecting slower performance over recent months. A focused end of year push was agreed, aimed at increasing detections where appropriate and reducing live crime backlogs ahead of new investigative operating models.
Initial supervisory reviews remained strong, with high compliance across commands.
ITEM 7: People Management
Summary of Discussion:
Leanne Consett Director of People Services joined the meeting.
A discussion took place around a secondment extension which was supported.
ITEM 8: COT Forward Planner
Summary of Discussion:
The forward planner was reviewed. No amendments required.
ITEM 9: Freedom of Information Requests (FOI)
Summary of Discussion:
The FOI requests were reviewed.
ITEM 10: Urgent Financial Decisions and updates
Summary of Discussion:
Pension Contributions
The CFO advised the pension contribution bands would be changing in April and communications will be published.
ITEM 11: Any other Portfolio Updates by Exception
Summary of Discussion:
Op Soteria
ACC Clarke updated the board. NYP is ahead with the delivery, leadership and governance.
ITEM 12: Chief Officer Team Commitments
Summary of Discussion:
The Chief Officer Team commitments for the next two weeks were reviewed.
ITEM 13: Any other Business
Summary of Discussion:
Non raised.
DATE, TIME AND LOCATION OF NEXT MEETING.
Date: 18th February 2026 Time: 9:30am
Location: Haigh Conference Room, Alverton Court