Kent Police has introduced a new initiative designed to protect missing veterans from coming to harm. The Forcer Protocol, officially launched at the Kent Police College on Wednesday, 30 October, is aimed at helping police locate veterans, reservists, and active armed forces members more quickly when they are reported missing or in need of support.
The Forcer Protocol provides police with access to critical information about veterans, including known vulnerabilities, risk factors, and previous locations where the individual may have been found if they were reported missing before. This proactive approach allows officers to respond swiftly and potentially save lives.
The protocol was founded by Claire Lilly in memory of her former husband, Alan Forcer, a veteran who tragically took his own life in 2020 after concerns were raised about his whereabouts. Since its launch in Manchester last year, the Forcer Protocol has successfully helped locate more than 170 veterans safely.
Chief Inspector Gary Woodward expressed his gratitude for the initiative, saying, “We are pleased to have this life-saving initiative available in Kent, which aims to locate veterans and prevent them from coming to harm. Serving within and transitioning from the armed forces can be overwhelming, and sometimes distressing. I encourage veterans, family members, and friends to complete the form on the Forcer Protocol – Safe and Found Online. It could save a life.”
With over 61,000 veterans in Kent, the Forcer Protocol allows veterans, their family members, or carers to complete a form with essential details. This information is securely stored and accessible only if the individual is reported missing, allowing Kent Police to retrieve critical information in minutes.
The protocol follows a three-step approach:
- Initial Report: When someone is reported missing, Kent Police call handlers will ask if the person is a veteran, allowing immediate access to Safe and Found Online for key information.
- Investigation: Police assess the risk, initiate an investigation, and work to locate the missing person as quickly as possible.
- Referral and Support: Once found, a referral is made to the Single Veterans Pathway, including services like Operation Nova and the NHS, to ensure long-term support and reduce future policing demands.
Claire Lilly expressed her gratitude to Kent Police for adopting the initiative, saying, “I would like to extend our family’s deepest gratitude to Kent Police for adopting the Forcer Protocol. It means so much to see a network so invested in driving real change.”
The protocol is available for anyone to sign up, and Kent Police can access the Safe & Found Online details immediately if the missing person is within Kent. In other areas, those reporting a missing veteran are encouraged to inform the respective police force that details have been submitted through the Forcer Protocol.
