FIM meaning

In policing practice, FIM (Force incident manager) refers to the senior officer in a police force control room who manages live incidents, assesses risk and directs deployments. It is not a statutory term; it is an operational designation used in force policies and College of Policing guidance. The FIM provides initial command for critical incidents, applies the National Decision Model and JESIP principles, coordinates multi‑agency responses and, where applicable, oversees or authorises specialist tactics (for example, firearms or public order) until a designated Bronze/Silver/Gold commander takes over. Core responsibilities include dynamic risk assessment (often using THRIVE), resource tasking, safeguarding considerations, and maintaining auditable decision and command logs. Those records are frequently central to CPIA disclosure, inquests, public inquiries, and investigations by oversight bodies, as well as civil claims and judicial review. In England and Wales the role sits within the Force Control Room; titles and scope vary by force (for example, Duty Inspector or Incident Manager) but functions are broadly consistent. Comparable incident‑management roles exist in Police Scotland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, although terminology may differ. In Ireland, analogous control‑room command functions exist within An Garda Síochána, but “FIM” is not a standard label.