IIMARCH SYSTEM

This format allows the presentation of all relevant facts to be communicated in a briefing
and identified in a logical process under the following headings:

 Information;
 Intention;
 Method;
 Administration;
 Risk assessment;
 Communications;
 Human Rights compliance.

The production of an IIMARCH operation order provides each person and group
involved in the operation with an exact understanding of his or her role and
responsibilities. Routine, daily policing operations following an incident do not, however,
require this. The IIMARCH system is a reference guide for the more in-depth complex
operations, and may be adapted for individual needs for specific smaller-scale
operations.

Each operational order should be individually numbered and referenced to identify the
operation and the officer who prepared it. The security of the order must be
emphasised, particularly where sensitive issues are contained. If necessary the order
should be protectively marked. Consideration may be given to the issue of sensitive
orders against a signature with a return by, or destroy by, date on the order.

The following is a suggested format for operational orders. It need not be restricted to
those issues identified, and may be enhanced to suit individual needs and situations.
Sections should be clear and to the point.

Information

This will give those involved in the operation the reasons why it is required and will
include a brief history of the events surrounding the incident, the need for the operation
and where relevant under what legal authority it is being conducted.

All other relevant information, for example, the mood of the communities in the
operation area, should be included. Any appropriate sanitised intelligence should also
be contained in this part of the order.

It should also contain a description of the actual environment where the operation is to
take place, e.g., area, building or vessel.

Intention

The specific aim or aims of the operation must be stated clearly and concisely. This is to
ensure that all those involved have a thorough understanding of what is intended to be
achieved by the operation.
Method

This explains how the operation will be conducted to ensure that the overall intention is
achieved. It will be compiled in a logical sequence with each process clearly identified.
The sequence may include the following:

Overall Operation Structure – this provides an explanation as to how the operation will
progress so that those involved understand where their contribution fits into the overall
plan. It identifies the command structure for the operation and the way in which it links
into the command of an overall police operation. It also includes, where appropriate, any
specialist teams, other organisations or agencies involved.

Details of previous operations conducted in relation to this operation should be included.

Operation Phases – if the operation is to be conducted in a series of phases, a broad

explanation of each phase should be provided, identifying how these will be combined
or linked.

Cordons – if these are required, the locations must be clearly defined and the times of
operation identified, with adequate staff to manage them and under what legal authority
they are being used.

Method of approach– this needs to be established with details of teams and their
responsibilities. It must be clear to the teams, who are responsible for the location and
how in the event of an incident how any evidence will be retained during the critical
stage.

Tasking – each individual and team must be provided with the exact details of the task
they are expected to accomplish. Where team tasks affect those of other teams or
groups, such tasks should be listed in chronological order. Priority tasks, where
appropriate, must also be identified.

Any support services should be detailed. This will include the individual, company or
organisation and what their specific role will be, for example, utility provider, lift engineer
or property owner. Contact details must be included in the communications section.

Evidence Retrieval – the manner in which any evidence is to be recovered must be

identified, and there must be clear instructions as to what actions an individual must
take to comply with the Senior Investigating Officers forensic strategy. If the operation
relates to a specific search then clothing issues are also relevant, eg, the need for
protective or sterile suits, or cross-contamination from previously contaminated clothing.
The role of other any other relevant staff e.g. exhibits officer or crime scene examiner
should be included here.

Damage – someone should be identified to complete damage checks prior to, and at
the conclusion of, the operation. All Police Staff must be briefed to complete a damage
check prior to their own operation. They must also be informed as to whether it may be
necessary to cause damage to property in order to complete the operation. Any such
damage must be authorised by the person in charge of the operation and be
proportionate to the objectives.
Security – the security of the operation should be explained, particularly where
sensitive issues are concerned. Any such issues will include ensuring the security of:

 The location during the operation with individual responsibilities identified;

 Documentation, operation orders, plans, and other papers;
 Finds and/or other evidence;
 Equipment, including vehicles.

Security also includes preventing intrusion by criminal associates, or if necessary the

press or other media. Such intrusions may be physical or monitoring activity by
recordable imagery or monitoring radio transmissions.

Other factors – this section will cover all other circumstances that may arise during the
operation. This may include action to be taken on finding any evidence or item not
relevant to the operation.

Exit Strategy – this must be identified, with responsibilities clearly outlined. This will
include the recovery of all equipment and evidence, and returning the location to its
original condition, if the location is to be handed over to another agency, the person
responsible must be identified, if the location is to be vacated by the police then the
normal procedures will apply.

ADMINISTRATION

The following topics should be covered in this section:

Other Agencies – information and details of all other agencies that may be
encountered at the operation must be included. This will provide information about who
has legitimate access to the location. This is particularly important where another
agency may take primacy over the operation, e.g., in an air accident investigation.

Maps and Plans – of the location will be required. These will increase in size and
number according to the size of the operation. Sufficient maps or plans should be
issued to individuals or groups relevant to the area for which they are responsible.

Dress – the dress code for all police staff should be stated. The dress required should
be adequate for the role to be performed and relate to personal issue and protective
clothing. Where disposable clothing is used, e.g., forensic suits or gloves, supply and
re-supply procedures should be identified including disposal methods. Disposal
procedures may be influenced by evidence retention and safety issues.

Transport – for all staff should be identified, including nominated drivers and vehicles
where required. Parking facilities at the location should be included.

Equipment – all equipment necessary for the operation and those responsible for it
should be identified. It must be in a serviceable condition when taken to the operation
and be recovered on completion.

Refreshments – details of the refreshments being provided and at what time and
location should be made available.
Costs – codes, cost centres and the appropriate manner of authorisation should be
clear.

Passes – during large-scale operations unique passes may be individually issued.

These should be tamperproof and sufficiently durable, with adequate means of
attachment to the person.

Specimen copies of all passes for the press, staff and others should be available for the
information of all persons involved in the operation.

The Media – instructions on how to respond to a media presence or enquiries must be

provided. Where a Press Liaison Officer has been appointed, their contact details
should be made available.

Miscellaneous – issues in this section involve all those not catered for elsewhere and
include where appropriate:

 Briefing location and times;

 Duty timings and locations;
 Policy on unexpected callers or public enquiries at the location;
 First aid availability and location, and details of the nearest hospital should an
incident require such facilities;
 Complaints procedure.

The list is not exhaustive and requirements will vary according to the type of operation
and the circumstances of the operation.

RISK ASESSMENT

A full risk assessment for the operation must be provided. Advice and guidance may be
sought from individual with experience in this field where required. Such assessments
should be written in accordance with Police guidelines.

It is essential that those involved in the operation receive clear instructions on any risk
issues. This advice should follow a thorough appraisal of the situation by a competent
person.

Copies of the risk assessments may be included as an annex to the operation order but
must be available to the individuals concerned prior to their operation.

COMMUNICATIONS

Details of the systems to be used, including backup systems, must be made available.
Information should include the following:

 Radio systems and frequencies. This will include whether personal radios will be
brought by the individuals or provided at the operation, information about spare
radios, batteries and/or charging facilities and testing equipment must also be given;
 A full list of ‘call signs’ must be circulated where appropriate. Channels or
frequencies and talk groups will also be included;
 Telephone details including landline numbers and mobile numbers of key personnel
should be listed;
 An on-site permanent and/or temporary email address should be identified, where
required;
 Any identified code words should be included. These may relate to specific issues
where contact is designed not to alert unauthorised persons.

Staff should be aware of what facilities and systems will be adopted should a breach of
confidentiality be discovered in any particular system.

HUMAN RIGHTS COMPLIANCE

The mnemonic PLAN should form the basis of the briefing.

Proportionality – The objective of the operation should be achieved by use of the least
intrusive method available that does not adversely affect the result. The needs of the
individual will be balanced against those of the operation and must be proportionate to
the legitimate aim of the action.

Legality – any action must comply with the law. This includes the power to carry out the
operation, and compliance with any legal powers or other actions required to facilitate
the operation.

Accountability – this is essential for all actions taken in a operation and should include
decisions taken not to carry out certain actions, and the justification for them.

Necessity – actions must be necessary for the purpose for which they are used, and
any human rights infringement must be justifiable.

DOCUMENTATION

Policy

All policy decisions must be recorded. This may be a note made by an individual Officer
or NCO for a small operation or in a policy log as part of a major investigation. An
operation policy log is advised for all operations.

Areas of Operation

Exact boundaries of operation areas must be identified, documented and made clear to
those responsible for them. A clear definition of what has and has not been done during
the operation is critical, and consideration must be given to how this information is best
recorded. Shaded maps are often used for this purpose, and while they give a clear
visual representation of operation areas, officers must avoid being imprecise in
delineating them and not miss parts out. It is good practice to overlap operation areas to
overcome some of these problems. Overlapping will ensure that boundaries do not get
missed out in the overall operation.

All areas of operation must be documented to show the extent of the operation and to
include any areas that were, for whatever reason, inaccessible. The time and duration
of the operation must also be recorded. Documentation should also include the
numbers of people involved in the operation and whether or not they were specifically
trained in the operation. In any review of the investigation, the person conducting it must
be able to gain a clear view of what has and has not been carried, when and by whom.

Recovery Policy

Prior to commencing an operation, consideration must be given if necessary to how any

products arising from it will be dealt with. This is particularly important where the
recovery of forensic evidence is relevant. There is, however, an overriding principle
concerning the preservation of life and this will take precedence over all other
considerations.

Those undertaking operations must be aware, from the outset, of the actions they
should take if they find an object. Generally, the options will be to leave it in situ or to
recover it. They must also then decide whether the scene of the find should be secured
or if the object is to be recovered, the way in which this should be done and the type of
packaging to use.

Following any discovery issues of contamination and cross-contamination must be dealt

with, where any further operations or enquiries are to be conducted by the same
personnel.

Example
Information
Background:
Explain what is happening and what problems are occurring as a result of the issue in
question?
Describe the area, this project focuses on the location(s).
Describe transport issues, roads or if there are no all-weather roads, what are they
made of? Are sand roads, which deteriorate during the rainy season, and are of limited
use to vehicles during this time.
Provide any statistics or quantitative data that can provide more background and can
also be used as a benchmark for success.

Provide a description of the area and challenges faced

E.g. The tracks pass through mainly mountainous forested areas which have seasonal
rivers and streams running through them. The population of these areas comprise of
numerous tribes (explain the list of different tribes). Explain traditional communication
methods, routes and relationships that are used are used. Explain what this plan will
focus specifically on.
Intention
Provide a clear overview of what this plan seeks to achieve.
Aim
Provide a clear and then list the key objectives that you will achieve.
Objectives are:
1.
2.
3.
Method
Explain the following
_W_h_a_t_ _a_r_e_ _y_o_u_ _g_o_i_n_g_ _t_o_ _d_o_?_ _
When are you going to do it? (milestones when each phase of operation will be
completed)
_Who is going to be involved? (staff, soldiers, NCO’s, NGO’s CID?)
_W_h_y_ _a_r_e_ _y_o_u_ _d_o_i_n_g_ _i_t_ _t_h_i_s_ _w_a_y_?_ _
_H_o_w_ _a_r_e_ _y_o_u_ _g_o_i_n_g_ _t_o_ _c_a_r_r_y_ _o_u_t_ _t_h_e_
_o_p_e_r_a_t_i_o_n_?_ _

Administration
Resources & Logistics
Expand on each of the following:
_People – Police soldiers, NCO’s, CID
_I_n_t_e_l_l_i_g_e_n_c_e_ _g_a_t_h_e_r_i_n_g_ _a_n_d_ _r_e_c_o_r_d_i_n_g_
_s_y_s_t_e_m_ _
_P_a_r_t_n_e_r_s_/_N_G_O_’s_ _
_L_o_c_a_l_ _C_o_m_m_u_n_i_t_i_e_s_/_L_e_a_d_e_r_s_ _
_T_r_a_n_s_p_o_r_t_ _(_a_p_p_l_i_c_a_b_l_e_ _t_o_ _t_h_e_ _a_r_e_a_ _a_n_d_
_s_e_a_s_o_n_)_ _
_D_o_c_u_m_e_n_t_s_ _
_E_d_u_c_a_t_i_o_n_ _M_a_t_e_r_i_a_l_s_ _
_F_i_r_e_ _a_r_m_s_ _
_B_u_d_g_e_t_ _
_M_e_d_i_a_ _
_Welfare of Personnel engaged on the operation refreshments, incentives, sleeping,
medical, etc
_P_r_i_s_o_n_e_r_ _h_a_n_d_l_i_n_g_ _a_n_d_ _d_e_t_e_n_t_i_o_n_ _
_C_o_n_f_i_s_c_a_t_e_d_ _o_n_ _s_e_i_z_e_d_ _c_o_n_t_r_a_b_a_n_d_
_s_t_o_r_a_g_e_ _
_B_r_i_e_f_i_n_g_s_ _a_n_d_ _e_n_s_u_r_e_ _p_o_l_i_c_e_ _k_n_o_w_ _t_h_e_
_l_a_w_ _t_h_e_y_ _a_r_e_ _e_n_f_o_r_c_i_n_g_ _

Risk Assessment
Consider and explain your planning given the following:
_Safety of Personnel and the public


Communication
Utilise the following methods of communication.
_Radios } frequencies, available numbers,
_Mobile Phones } signal strength in area
_W_a_l_k_i_e_ _T_a_l_k_i_e_ _}_ _
_F_a_c_e_ _t_o_ _f_a_c_e_ _b_y_ _P_o_l_i_c_e_ _P_e_r_s_o_n_n_e_l_ _
_I_n_t_e_r_n_e_t_ _a_v_a_i_l_a_b_i_l_i_t_y_ _
_F_a_x_ _a_v_a_i_l_a_b_i_l_i_t_y_ _
_C_o_u_r_i_e_r_ _

Human Rights
This operation will be carried out respecting human rights and observing neighbouring
countries international protocols and within the laws of Sudan.