Police force introduces new scheme to red-flag veterans who go missing
A pilot scheme has been launched in the Greater Manchester area to help provide the police with more information about veterans who go missing.
The aim of the Forcer Protocol is to improve response times and provide the authorities with a fuller picture of the person's background and possible state of mind.
The scheme is named after former soldier Alan Forcer, who took his own life after he went missing, having been struggling with PTSD.
When he disappeared in May 2020, his former wife Claire alerted the police.
But key details about his mental health vulnerabilities, which were already known to veterans' services, were not available to the police until it was too late.
Alan had been grappling with complex PTSD, severe anxiety, physical pain and profound depression after his service in Northern Ireland and Kosovo.
His suicide prompted Claire to campaign for the Forcer Protocol, which is designed to red-flag missing people with a military past.
It means individuals, family members or support workers with consent can have key information about a missing person stored.
This would include their veteran status and key physical and mental health issues. Such a system is already in place for those suffering with dementia.
Claire added: "In my opinion, preventative measures are ultimately the cure.
"Police forces are key figures within the community and at some point will encounter a veteran reservist or serving member, so it is extremely important we inform and educate."
Claire told Forces News: "That first hour is crucial. So when that call comes in, the police need to have that intelligence to make that clear risk assessment.
"That is the difference between whether a chopper goes up and the dogs go out and what resources that they use."
Greater Manchester Police is adopting the Forcer Protocol for a trial period of six months.
Around 3% of the population of Greater Manchester is made up of veterans, and according to research from the University of Manchester, veterans under 25 have a risk of suicide up to four times greater than the general population.
"The Forcer Protocol has been designed to support veterans in our communities, ensuring we reduce the risk to vulnerable people and put support in place to prevent repeat demand by having a joined-up approach to problem-solving and sharing accountability with the NHS and Veterans Charities," said Chief Inspector Mark Mangnall.
"Serving within and transitioning from the Armed Forces can be an overwhelming experience at times and in some instances difficult and distressing.
"Essentially, they end up leaving behind a way of life, a lifestyle for which members of the community can be daunting and uncomfortable."
Ch Insp Mangnall said he hoped the protocol would be adopted nationally after be trialled with his own force.
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