Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Basic command unit
open-in-new
<p> A Basic Command Unit (BCU) is the largest unit into which <a href="/facts/Territorial_police_force/KFVXGMxd">territorial</a> <a href="/facts/Law_enforcement_in_the_United_Kingdom/r6hA6s6s">British Police</a> forces are divided. BCU replaces the earlier terms <i>Sub-Division</i> and <i>Division</i> that had been in use since the 1880s. BCUs may alternatively be called an <i>Area Command</i> or a <i>Division</i>. They will also contain smaller, more local teams which are often called a <i>Local Policing Unit</i> (LPU) or a <i>Local Policing Team</i> (LPT). There are 228 BCUs (or equivalent units) in England and Wales. </p><p>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 <a href="/facts/Chief_superintendent/bfFPykdq">Chief Superintendent</a>. </p>