The police service, when planning any operation from small scale to large scale, uses a set format for operational planning which follows the system outlined above. It has, however, been simplified to a degree in that a mnemonic is used to really simplify the objective setting stages. That mnemonic is IIMRAC, and it has developed over the past few years as health and safety and negligence law have required.

 IIMARCH  stands for Information, Intention, Method, Administration Risk, Communications and Human Rights.

The Information section of what will become an 'Operational Order' - which is the guide for those involved as to their duties and responsibilities - merely states the reason behind the operation. It is usually fairly brief.

The Intention section essentially explains what the operation is intended to achieve, and it may be equally brief in content. The interim objectives may be stated in this part, or they may be stated under the Method heading.

The Method section deals with 'how' the operation is to be executed, and this is where the details of the operation, and indeed each of the phases of an operation, will be stated. Occasionally, when the scope of an operation is very large, each individual phase may be described in an annexe document specifically dealing with that objective or task.

Another reason for creating an annexe to an operational plan results from the disclosure rules - if confidential information is to be placed within the document, it is easier to prevent disclosure of an annexe than it is to prevent disclosure of the whole order, or to edit that order to address the confidentiality issue.

The Administration section will contain instructions regarding who needs to submit what documentation to whom and by when. It may also indicate who is responsible for overseeing tasks (exhibits officer, disclosure officer, etc.).

In the Risk section of the order, a risk analysis is made and recorded. This is a health and safety issue and outside the scope of this manual, but it is easy to see what it is for.

Communications are a relatively simple issue to address - equipment, issue, radio channels and contact telephone numbers (which are confidential and may be kept in an annexe to the communications section).

Human Rights section details what humanitarian assistance and human rights issues arise or may arise from this event and the response to it.

So, an operation order will contain these sections, and any annexes which refer to detailed or confidential elements of the operation's planning and execution.

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