New Visual Impairment Protocol adds layer of security for blind and partially sighted callers

GMP has this month launched a brand new Visual Impairment Protocol (VIP), which adds a layer of security and reassurance to people in the region who are blind, partially sighted, or visually impaired.

As part of our continued investment into how we can best support our local communities, GMP will begin using the protocol, which helps safeguard visually impaired people who need to confirm if a person at their door is a police officer.

Statistics indicate that there are more than 16,000 people living in Greater Manchester Area who are registered as having Visual Impairment, which includes blindness and partial sight loss.

Use of the protocol is determined by the service user; however, it adds further security when visual identification of a police officer by their uniform or warrant card is not possible.

The protocol can be used by anyone with a visual impairment, to any degree. Other eligible service users would include anyone who cares for or supports someone who is visually impaired.

The service user is safeguarded by allowing them to verify the identity of a police officer that has called at their address, before letting them into the premises. This verification is facilitated by the Force Contact Centre, either over the phone or by the attending officer using an agreed password.

GMP has consulted with numerous bodies, including our internal Force Operations Centre, Disability Support Network, and the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB).

The launch event last week at Force Headquarters was attended by numerous campaigners, members of the blind and partially sighted community, their carers, and officers from across GMP's districts.

Sergeant Kerry Smith, from GMP’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Team, said: “This new protocol is part of GMP’s wider commitment to ensuring our services are accessible to all members of the community to get the best possible service.”

“Following various consultations, we decided that adopting this protocol was a great way of improving our service to people who struggle with their sight, and we hope that its introduction shows our continued efforts to assisting people with disabilities.

“This protocol is in place from 16 December and we are working to spread awareness of this through all the ways we can – online, in-person, and through our key partners and agencies.”

Terri Balon, RNIB Regional Campaigner for the North West said: "Many blind and partially sighted people express concern about being able to identify people they don’t know, particularly those that might knock on their door claiming to be a police officer, or indeed another official, and we are pleased to have supported Greater Manchester Police to adopt this Visual Impairment Protocol.

“We are also pleased GMP have taken onboard concerns expressed by blind and partially sighted people and like other forces across the country developed this protocol. The Protocol provides a process which enables blind and partially sighted people to verify whether someone knocking on their door is genuinely who they say they are - a police officer.”

For more information on the VI Protocol, visit here: Guidance - The Visual Impairment Protocol (VIP) | Greater Manchester Police