Basic command unit

A Basic Command Unit (BCU) is the largest unit into which territorial British Police forces are divided^[1] BCUs may alternatively be called an Area Command or a Division.They will also contain smaller, more local teams which are often called a Local Policing Unit (LPU) or a Local Policing Team (LPT). There are 228 BCUs (or equivalent units) in England and Wales.

Most forces are divided into at least three BCUs and some have many more. Most BCUs are further subdivided into smaller units. The BCU is usually commanded by a Chief Superintendent.^[2]

^ Basic Command Unit replaces the earlier terms Sub-Division and Division that had been in use since the 1880s.
^ Neighbourhood Statistics. "Notifiable Offences Recorded by the Police 2001/2002". Neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2009.

[1] Basic Command Unit replaces the earlier terms Sub-Division and Division that had been in use since the 1880s.

[2] Neighbourhood Statistics. "Notifiable Offences Recorded by the Police 2001/2002". Neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2009.

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