uvex Dorset Police Case Study
Paul Chick MBE is Head of Transport Services for Dorset Police, responsible for
Transport Strategy, strategic policy decisions on the procurement, maintenance and
safe running of the force’s entire fleet of 450 vehicles, boats and transport-related
equipment with the fleet covering an annual mileage in excess of 6.5 million.
Dorset police force is one of the smaller, but highest-performing, police forces in the
UK and has responsibility for the 89 miles of beautiful coastline Dorset enjoys, as
well as for the wellbeing of residents and the many thousands of visitors to the area.
A dedicated marine section of full-time officers help to enforce the highly visible
marine policing strategy, which is committed to keeping Dorset’s coastal and inland
waters safe.
Paul’s job includes the successful strategic management of the force’s marine
resources and assets as well as all aspects of transport. He is responsible for around
20 dedicated Transport staff plus specialist contractors.
In January 2012 Paul was awarded an MBE for his services to young people in the
local community.
2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The international sailing and water sports events of the 2012 Olympics were held in
Weymouth and Portland on Paul’s patch. This entailed an unprecedented 67-day
round-the-clock police operation requiring specialist teams, and was the largest onwater security operation in the history of UK policing.
Paul had to deliver policing for the games on target and on budget, and it was while
he was Maritime Operations Manager during the Games, responsible for equipment,
procurement, people and assets on the water, that Paul’s relationship with uvex
began.
For the Olympic events, several hundred specialist officers on the 50-plus boats
(RIBs) were provided with a full range of personal protective equipment (PPE),
including uvex pheos protective sunglasses and uvex hi-com disposable earplugs.
uvex pheos
Although traditionally crews on RIB’s wear their own, often expensive, branded
sunglasses, there were no guarantees that they would meet stringent H&S legislation
and having the potential for users to experience problems with lenses misting up and
spray that would not clear from the lens.
Having tried out several different types and brands of safety eyewear and getting
feedback from users, Paul chose the uvex pheos sunglare safety spectacle with
100% UV filter, winner of the German Design Award in 2013.
“We needed protective sunglasses for all police personnel engaged in the operations
on the water,” explains Paul. “I looked for quality, innovation, durability, value for
money, whole-life cost effectiveness and a design that met the corporate image.”
Paul says that the uvex pheos far exceeded the force’s requirements. “We have
never had even one complaint; there have been no breakages and no criticism of the
design. The quality of the uvex pheos went way beyond our expectations,” he affirms.
The durability and comfort of the uvex pheos were tested by them being worn for 12
hours a day every single day of the Olympics. “The glasses allowed the Police
Officers to stay on the water throughout their shifts,” reports Paul. “The outstanding
design perfectly fitted our corporate image, with all teams dressed in black. All the
products were delivered on time and within budget and complied with the required
safety legislation. Another advantage was that the uvex pheos comes in a choice of
two sizes to suit different sized heads.”
Benefits of uvex eyewear
Increased wear by officers was one of the main benefits of the uvex pheos. “Wearers
take ownership of the product, look after it and make it last longer,” notes Paul. “It’s
easy for us as managers and we also have a happier workforce. We can issue the
glasses and then forget them.”
Paul aims for consistency across his fleet – the same boats, clothing, helmets and
safety glasses, so members of the public can easily identify them. The uvex pheos
wrap around style gives good peripheral vision and he has no safety concerns
because they fully meet legal standards. The specs reduce the risk from both UV and
wind exposure.
The anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings standard on the uvex eyewear are an added
bonus, as it means the officers do not have to keep taking them off and cleaning
them. Sea spray and salt are both very important issues on the water, and the
coatings keep the lens cleaner for longer.
“uvex products were instrumental in assisting in the successful implementation of the
Olympic Games,” states Paul.
Looking forward
Since using uvex products for the Olympics, the force is increasing its stock of uvex
equipment considerably and is now investigating a complete range of health and
safety products, including safety boots and gloves, not only for the marine force, but
also for frontline support staff.
A new range of safety glasses, the uvex polavision, is currently being trialled. “We
are looking at using them as a marine standard stock item for marine officers,” says
Paul. The uvex polavision is a twin-lensed sun spectacle with a polarised filter that
eliminates nuisance from mirroring and sun reflections, always a problem on the
water and in maritime environments.
The force has a brand new Humber RIB just coming into commission on which the
uvex polavision specs will be used. “All feedback is very positive so far,” reports Paul.
“uvex is a brand that Dorset police have come to respect in terms of functionality and
safety levels,” concludes Paul. Working with uvex is an easy option.”