London’s Metropolitan Police are building better relationships with hauliers by undertaking Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) training.

The FORS training is being undertaken by officers from the Met’s commercial vehicle unit (CVU), as part of efforts to improve relations with fleet operators.

The partnership with FORS aims to help Met Police boost engagement with commercial vehicle operators of all types, through a more educational approach and by creating an environment of open dialogue, as well as focusing on enforcement.

Learnings from the FORS Practitioner Managing Abnormal Indivisible Loads training module have been incorporated into the CVU’s own Toolbox Talks; a two-hour educative presentation to hauliers, which the CVU reports as being particularly well received.

Content from FORS has also been described by the CVU as ”enormously beneficial” in its understanding of operators’ obligations.

The CVU is also looking to integrate more FORS content into its own training material. As part of this, five response sergeants from the Met’s CVU will complete the full FORS Practitioner programme, a series of ten individual modules covering all aspects of fleet management.

In addition, Sergeant Alex Burlison of the Met’s CVU, will undertake the 15-module FORS Advanced Practitioner programme.

Sergeant Burlison said: “Of course, our responsibility for roadside enforcement is crucial but we’re also becoming increasingly focused on education and engagement with hauliers.

”Transport managers’ roles are so much more than mere compliance and FORS has really helped us appreciate the many and varied aspects of running a successful fleet operation. I think we’re all buying into the FORS best practice mindset.

“We want to build better relations with all commercial vehicle operators and our Toolbox Talks not only deliver on a training level, but they also provide a platform for operators to feedback.

”We’re receiving calls from hauliers every day requesting more Toolbox Talks and more engagement, and FORS is helping to ensure we’re all singing from the same hymn sheet.

”Through its training portfolio, FORS provides a truly comprehensive knowledge base, and it’s apparent that commercial vehicle operators are engaging with FORS directly.

”So, it makes sense for us to be part of the narrative. Undoubtedly, we’re fostering better relations with hauliers, and I think the perception of the Met Police is also improving.”

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