Guidance - The Visual Impairment Protocol (VIP)

Protocol for blind, partially sighted and visually impaired callers – Officer identification

The Visual Impairment Protocol (VIP) applies to anyone who is blind, partially sighted or visually impaired. The protocol also applies to any person who cares for, or supports, someone who is visually impaired. This provides improved security to visually impaired members of the community who need to identify if a person at their front door is a member of Greater Manchester Police.

Why is it important                                                             

When a visually impaired member of the public is expecting an officer to visit them, they may find it hard to identify the police officer or other police employees who attend. Usually, when officers attend to someone's property, they have an identification card to confirm they are a GMP officer/employee and prove who they are. This may not be appropriate for visually impaired people who are unable to see a photograph or name on an identification card clearly. This protocol allows for GMP officers/police employees to identify themselves providing ease to those who are visually impaired.

How does the Visual Impairment Protocol work

works by setting up a password system at the address of a visually impaired member of the community. When an individual calls either the 101 non-emergency line or 999-emeregncy line and informs the call handler that they have a sight impairment, a password of their choice will be agreed. The call handler records the password on the incident log.

GMP

When an officer/employee then visits that address, they will be expected to state the password to the person answering the door. If they cannot give the password, then they should not be allowed into the address.

There would be some circumstances when it is not necessary for a password to be obtained for example an immediate response incident. It is the duty of GMP to protect life and in an immediate response incident if a call handler follows the VIP this may cause delay therefore causing further risk to the victim.

See below for further information: