Recommendation 1
IOPC recommendationThe IOPC recommends that Humberside Police use this case, within; officer training, force communications and policy/guidance, to highlight the need to maintain effective supervision of a detainee, especially prior to the completion of a search.
This follows a Death or Serious Injury (DSI) incident whereby a detainee was able to hide a razor blade within a copy of the legal rights documentation given to him, and later use the razor blade to self-harm whilst in the cell. Prior to the search, the detainee can be seen to place his hands in his pockets on a number of occassions. No one told him not to do this. During the booking procedure, the escorting officer is stood behind the detainee, meaning they did not have a clear line of sight to monitor the detainee's behaviour. When the detainee removed the razor blade from his pocket and placed it within the documentation, all officers were doing other things or looking away - no one appeared to be watching the detainee at this time. Humberside Police should update officer training by using this case as an example, to highlight the need to highlight the need for officers to maintain a clear line of sight to ensure adequate monitoring of a detainee. Humberside Police should consider sending communication to all relevant staff, reminding them of the need to adequately monitor a detainee prior to them being searched and should consider if any policies or guidance require updating in this regard.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
The current OST refresher training (April 2021 to March 2022) which is delivered to all Officers in Force as part of the Annual Licensing programme has ‘Searching of Suspects’ as part of the content. This is aimed at Operational and Custody staff alike.
There is also currently a Custody Sergeants Course running to train 8 new Custody Sergeants. One of these days will be used to focus mainly on examining the Sergeant’s role and responsibilities within the reception, searching and detention of prisoners in custody and to serve them as a reminder that along with PC 1 and DO’s they play a major part in the QA process of searching in Force.
Intelligence obtained from the Met Police on OCGs and the carrying and secretion of weapons will also be used to highlight the hidden dangers and possible consequences.
Lessons to include this scenario as a lesson learnt
Lesson plans to be updated to version control and show this addition
Wand requested to be able to use in scenarios during OST training