Port of Dover Police - Memorandum of Understanding

Memorandum of Understanding

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between PoDP and Kent Police sets out each organisation's responsibilities. The MOU sets out that ultimately the responsibility for the investigation of criminal offences committed within the Port and other DHB properties rests with Kent Police.

However the PoDP do investigate all criminal offences within the Port except those offences deemed as serious or that are beyond the capability or capacity of its limited size. Serious offences committed within the Port, such as acts of terrorism, murder, manslaughter, rape, facilitation of illegal immigration or any incident involving the death (suspicious or not) of a person are investigated by Kent Police. However, PoDP officers will take immediate necessary action prior to the arrival of Kent Police officers in such cases. Kent Police assist PoDP with crimes that they do investigate by providing such services as forensic officers, specialist support units and custody office facilities (the PoDP not having their own custody suite).

Whilst national arrangements exist between territorial police forces for mutual aid policing, these do not apply between a territorial and non ‘Home Office’ forces such as PoDP. However, the PoDP will, when resources and legal jurisdiction permit, respond to calls for assistance from Kent Police in the Dover area.