Source · IOPC Learning Case

Investigation into the stop and search and arrest of a man prior to a shooting at a police custody centre – Metropolitan Police Service, September 2020

Metropolitan Police Service Ref: 2020/142987 Recommended 7 Nov 2022 Response due 2 Jan 2023

Custody and detention Death and serious injury

During the early hours of Friday 25 September 2020, a man was stopped and searched by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). For the search the man was handcuffed with his hands at the front of his body. His coat was not removed, but it was opened at the front and lifted at the back. All of his pockets were checked, as well as his waistband and shoes. The man was found to be in possession of bullets and …

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Recommendations

1 total

Recommendation 1

The IOPC recommends that the NPCC, in partnership with Chief Constables and relevant stakeholders, should consider the implementation of handheld metal detectors in all response vehicles and vehicles used to transport detained persons. This should include consideration of: A) Any evidence that has been collated regarding instances where metallic items or weapons concealed upon detained persons have been brought into custody suites. B) Any policies, guidance or training that would need to be developed or updated to ensure the effective implementation and use of handheld metal detectors by officers. C) The financial implications and any potential unintended consequences of implementing handheld metal detectors, including how these might be mitigated. This follows an IOPC investigation into the circumstances surrounding a detained person entering custody with a gun in his possession. Following a stop and search [that yielded no firearm], the man was arrested and transported to custody. Shortly after his arrival, the man produced a gun that was concealed on his person and shot and sadly killed a custody sergeant. The man was restrained by officers, during which time the gun was discharged again and the man received a serious injury. In addition, the IOPC have identified six other cases whereby detained persons have brought concealed metallic items into custody suites, despite being searched by officers prior to entering custody. In all of these cases, the detained person used the metallic item or weapon to harm themselves or others. The IOPC considers the implementation of handheld metal detectors in response vehicles and vehicles used to transport detained persons may aid officers in locating metallic items or weapons concealed upon a detained person at an early stage and prior to transportation to custody – enhancing officer safety. If implemented, they should be considered as a screening device available to officers already conducting a lawful, justified and systematic physical person search after arrest. Handheld metal detectors should not be intended to replace the requirement for a physical search and, if implemented should be used at the discretion of the officer conducting the search, taking into account the search powers relied upon and the objective of the search. In advance of making this recommendation, the IOPC has liaised with other forces who have or are adopting the use of handheld metal detectors as a search aid prior to detained persons arriving at custody. This process identified several forces across England and Wales who have implemented or are implementing handheld metal detectors to frontline officers or vehicles as an additional tool to assist physical searches of detained persons. Do you accept the recommendation? Yes

Addressed to: NPCC, in partnership with Chief Constables and relevant stakeholders,

Linked bodies: NPCC, in partnership with Chief Constables and relevant stakeholders,

Accepted

Force response

Accepted action: Key observations would be: The NPCC Local Policing Committee understands the implementation of handheld metal detectors in all response vehicles including those to transport detained persons would achieve the safeguards sought from the investigations into the heinous events leading up to the murder of Custody Sergeant, Matt Ratana. Whilst several forces have issued handheld metal detectors to frontline officers or vehicles to assist with searches taking place outside of a custody suite, the NPCC Local Policing Coordination Committee, along with Operations and Criminal Justice Committees will work together to inform Chief Constables’ Council of the financial implications which may be significant but could be mitigated through economies of scale. Similar outcomes could be achieved if a wand search took place at a police station, but before entry to the Custody Suite. This would restrict the requirement for wands to Custody Suites, thereby reducing cost without compromising on the objective. The NPCC will explore all options. The NPCC is unclear how the firearm was missed during a physical search of the detained person. This may be a search related training issue and committees will work with the College of Policing to revisit training requirements. The NPCC will also consider training requirements and guidance to forces if wands are introduced more widely to ensure the standards of physical searches are not compromised. Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney (Chair of the NPCC Local Policing Committee at the time this response was given)