Recommendation MAI-15: Ensure prompt BTP Bronze Commander appointment
From Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 2: Emergency Response, published 3 November 2022.
Recommendation
British Transport Police should review its procedures to ensure the prompt appointment of a Bronze Commander during a Major Incident.
In brief (written by this site)
The Inquiry recommended reviewing procedures to ensure prompt Bronze Commander appointments. In a Cabinet Office update published in February 2026, British Transport Police stated that the recommendation was complete after all Sergeants, Inspectors, and Chief Inspectors finished two-day Major Incident Command training in March 2024 (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). It added that a Major Incident Hydra course was launched in September to consolidate this training, though reviewing procedures for Bronze Commander appointments was not mentioned in the update (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). Earlier, the UK Government accepted the recommendation in full in November 2025 (Cabinet Office response, Nov 2025).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 5 Oct 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
Accepted in full
Delivery
Cabinet Office says completed (27 February 2026)
It is confirmed that in March of 2024 we completed the remainder of the Sgt and Inspector (and Chief Inspector) Major Incident Command training. That means all of our Sgts and Inspectors (Chief Inspectors) (at that point in time) have received the Major incident 2day command training and both the below recommendations can be shown as complete for BTP. We have now moved on to an additional phase where In September we launched our Major Incident Hydra course. This is to consolidate the Major Incident Command training and will see all of those trained rostered to undertake the Hydra course as well.
Earlier statement on delivery (1)
Cabinet Office (14 November 2025)
It is confirmed that in March of 2024 we completed the remainder of the Sgt and Inspector (and Chief Inspector) Major Incident Command training. That means all of our Sgts and Inspectors (Chief Inspectors) (at that point in time) have received the Major incident 2day command training and both the below recommendations can be shown as complete for BTP. We have now moved on to an additional phase where In September we launched our Major Incident Hydra course. This is to consolidate the Major Incident Command training and will see all of those trained rostered to undertake the Hydra course as well.
From: Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard, original version (data file)
Published evidence
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Summary by this site of the published finding
JESIP Joint Doctrine updated to v3.1 (April 2024) following inquiry findings on interoperability failures. Operation Plato reformed to cover all terrorist attack types, not just firearms. Emphasis extended beyond command-level to frontline responders.
Source
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Cabinet Office
Delivery statement