Recommendation 1
The IOPC recommends that Humberside Police should review and amend its policies and procedures for requesting support from National Police Air Support (NPAS) when officers are engaged in a pursuit, to align with Authorised Professional Practice (APP) and provide clarity to officers and staff. Policies should specify which role(s) within the control room have responsibility for decision making regarding NPAS involvement during a pursuit. All policies that reference criteria for requesting NPAS during a pursuit should be cross-referenced and, where possible, consolidated to reduce conflicting information and prevent confusion.
This follows an IOPC investigation into a vehicle pursuit that resulted in a fatality. The pursuing officer requested NPAS assistance via the control room and was informed that the incident did not meet the NPAS criteria. The evidence could indicate that it was not sufficiently considered, and this could constitute a missed opportunity to reduce the risk associated with the pursuit, as detailed in College of Policing APP which defines air support as ‘a valuable and effective operational option which reduces potential dangers’.
The force’s current policy could be considered ambiguous and does not clearly reflect the APP, which states that air support should be deployed in pursuit situations wherever possible and at the earliest opportunity. Also, a member of control room staff referred to an additional policy (not seen by the IOPC) that they said details specific criteria for requesting NPAS during a pursuit.The control room supervisor who oversaw the pursuit stated they did not know the criteria for requesting NPAS during a pursuit and did not think it was their responsibility to do so. Humberside Police’s policy does not specify which role(s) within the control room has this responsibility.
Addressed to: Humberside Police
Linked bodies:
Humberside Police