Recommendation 1
The IOPC recommends that Sussex Police ensures formal guidance and policies are in place in relation to the storage of both physical and electronic investigative material obtained during an investigation, if it is not already, ensuring a consistent approach which is compliant with disclosure legislation. Following this, Sussex Police should provide updated communications and training to all Sussex Police officers and staff working on criminal investigations to ensure they are aware of the policies and guidance in place.
The recommendation follows an IOPC investigation into the disclosure of a Sussex Police officer leading up to and during a criminal trial. One of the contributing factors to the issues with disclosure which were examined during this investigation appears to have been the manner in which material was recorded and stored after it had been obtained by the Sussex Police officers and staff members who were working on the case. Evidential material did not appear to have been exhibited upon collection and its existence does not appear to have been logged on any systems or in any hand-written records. In addition, many officers who were spoken to as part of the IOPC investigation referred to relying on ‘common practice’ when making decisions around the storage and recording of physical and electronic material, rather than any actual training, policy or guidance they have had in this area and there was a lack of consensus among officer and staff around how investigative material should be handled after it has been obtained.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Addressed to: Sussex Police
Linked bodies:
Sussex Police