By late February 2020 it had become clear to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) that UK policing needed a dedicated co-ordination centre to deal with the coronavirus crisis. NPCC Chair Martin Hewitt became the ‘Gold' commander with Assistant Chief Constable Owen Weatherill as ’Silver’ of an operation that was codenamed ’Talla'.
Over the following weeks and months the pair worked flat out on Operation Talla, drawing up guidance for officers, interpreting and disseminating constantly-changing Covid laws and leading efforts to procure personal protective equipment (PPE).
In this edition of ‘Talking Crime’, Policing TV’s Chief Presenter, Danny Shaw, speaks to ACC Weatherill about the unprecedented police operation - and the Talla Awards Ceremony which recognised the many officers and staff who gave their all during the pandemic: