John Hill
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2018-0195
All 3 responses received
· Deadline: 4 Sep 2018
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Firearms licensing checks failed to include crucial enquiries with family members, missing vital information about the applicant's suicidal intentions before a certificate was granted.
View full coroner's concerns
During the inquest evidence_was heard that:
Mr Hill was granted firearms certificate to acquire firearm on the 13th April 2017 by the Firearms Unit at Dorset Police following an application received from him dated the 4th November 2016. Following receipt of that certificate Mr Hill acquired a .22 calibre long barrelled rifle which he used to end his life 6 weeks later on the 26th 2017 . Mr Hill's son had no knowledge of the application his father had made until after it was granted: He and his sister had concerns with their father having access to firearm, as Mr Hill had told them that when the time came he would end his life by shooting himself with a rifle_ iii _ At the time of Mr Hills application, enquiries were made by Dorset Police which did not include any enquiries with the family of Mr Hill or his wife with whom he was living, although the Firearms Enquiry Officer did see Mrs Hill when she went to interview Mr Hill on the 20tn March: iv_ There is national guidance from the Home Office called "Guide on Firearms Licensing Law" which was issued in April 2016. Chapter 12 is entitled Assessing Suitability and paragraphs 12.35 to 12.42 deal with applications and background checks to be undertaken At paragraph 12.35 the Guidance states that "in circumstances where there is information indicating domestic violence or abuse wider interviews or enquiries should be considered with & range of family, friends or associates prior to the issue of the certificate. There is no further reference to speaking to family members, friends or associates under any other circumstances: Evidence was further given that in the Dorset Police policy entitled 'Firearms and Explosive Licensing Risk Management Procedure' dated the 8h May 2015 there is no reference to such contact with family members, friends or associates and that family members or those at the same address of the applicant; will not be contacted as standard practice: may, as above, be contacted where there is evidence of domestic abuse_ vi Evidence was given that it would be beneficial for the Firearms Unit at Dorset Police to write to those living with the applicant to invite them to raise any concerns wish to in relation to the application: Although this may not be responded to, at least it gives those close to the applicant an opportunity to raise their concerns: There may be for example domestic violence ongoing at the address that has not been brought to the Police Force's attention due to lack of reporting: This would be to the firearm application: Ihave concerns with regard to the_following:_ May living They they key
When the Police consider a firearm application, there may be valuable information that those close to the applicant may have, in circumstances where there is no domestic abuse or violence_ Those living with the applicant may have vital information, which could impact upon the of firearms certificate This information may therefore be to preventing a future death: In view of this would request that consideration is given to reviewing the national and local guidance in relation to the assessment criteria and enquiries to be considered regarding applications for firearm certificates, and for consideration to be given that those enquiries involve the applicant's family members, or the at the very least those living with the applicant:
Mr Hill was granted firearms certificate to acquire firearm on the 13th April 2017 by the Firearms Unit at Dorset Police following an application received from him dated the 4th November 2016. Following receipt of that certificate Mr Hill acquired a .22 calibre long barrelled rifle which he used to end his life 6 weeks later on the 26th 2017 . Mr Hill's son had no knowledge of the application his father had made until after it was granted: He and his sister had concerns with their father having access to firearm, as Mr Hill had told them that when the time came he would end his life by shooting himself with a rifle_ iii _ At the time of Mr Hills application, enquiries were made by Dorset Police which did not include any enquiries with the family of Mr Hill or his wife with whom he was living, although the Firearms Enquiry Officer did see Mrs Hill when she went to interview Mr Hill on the 20tn March: iv_ There is national guidance from the Home Office called "Guide on Firearms Licensing Law" which was issued in April 2016. Chapter 12 is entitled Assessing Suitability and paragraphs 12.35 to 12.42 deal with applications and background checks to be undertaken At paragraph 12.35 the Guidance states that "in circumstances where there is information indicating domestic violence or abuse wider interviews or enquiries should be considered with & range of family, friends or associates prior to the issue of the certificate. There is no further reference to speaking to family members, friends or associates under any other circumstances: Evidence was further given that in the Dorset Police policy entitled 'Firearms and Explosive Licensing Risk Management Procedure' dated the 8h May 2015 there is no reference to such contact with family members, friends or associates and that family members or those at the same address of the applicant; will not be contacted as standard practice: may, as above, be contacted where there is evidence of domestic abuse_ vi Evidence was given that it would be beneficial for the Firearms Unit at Dorset Police to write to those living with the applicant to invite them to raise any concerns wish to in relation to the application: Although this may not be responded to, at least it gives those close to the applicant an opportunity to raise their concerns: There may be for example domestic violence ongoing at the address that has not been brought to the Police Force's attention due to lack of reporting: This would be to the firearm application: Ihave concerns with regard to the_following:_ May living They they key
When the Police consider a firearm application, there may be valuable information that those close to the applicant may have, in circumstances where there is no domestic abuse or violence_ Those living with the applicant may have vital information, which could impact upon the of firearms certificate This information may therefore be to preventing a future death: In view of this would request that consideration is given to reviewing the national and local guidance in relation to the assessment criteria and enquiries to be considered regarding applications for firearm certificates, and for consideration to be given that those enquiries involve the applicant's family members, or the at the very least those living with the applicant:
Responses
Action Planned
The Home Office will encourage "professional curiosity" through new accreditation standards for Firearms Enquiry Officers being developed by the College of Policing. They intend to consult on draft statutory guidance to the police on firearms licensing, inviting the police to consider any wider family members when they are likely to be relevant. (AI summary)
The Home Office will encourage "professional curiosity" through new accreditation standards for Firearms Enquiry Officers being developed by the College of Policing. They intend to consult on draft statutory guidance to the police on firearms licensing, inviting the police to consider any wider family members when they are likely to be relevant. (AI summary)
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Dear Madam Coroner Re: Regulation 28 Inquest touching the death of John Edward Hill am now in a position to send you a further response with regards to your regulation 28 recommendations which you raised at the inquest of John Edward Hill: i) When the Police consider a firearm application, there may be valuable information that those close to the applicant may have, in circumstances where there is no domestic abuse or violence. Those with the applicant may have vital information, which could impact upon the of a firearms certificate. This information may therefore be key to preventing a future death. ii) In view of this would request that consideration is given to reviewing the national and local guidance in relation to the assessment criteria and enquiries to be considered regarding applications for firearms certificates, and for consideration to be given that those enquiries involve the applicant's family members, or at the very least those living with the applicant: can reassure you that our firearms licensing team in Dorset Police which in fact is a Strategic Alliance capability across the three counties of Dorset; Protective Marking Status 2 living grant
Devon and Cornwall D&C have fully considered your directions and have reviewed local guidance which follows current national guidance. am now in receipt of a very detailed and comprehensive report which unfortunately am not yet satisfied meets our obligations to respond appropriately to your directions. This is in no way due to any resistance from my teams or indeed those that govern policy and practice nationally: However, have called for further work ahead of the submission of a final report: The firearms licensing manager , has taken this case study and your recommendations for discussion at national level with the NPCC lead, ACC Orford on Tuesday 11th September, hence our prior need for an extension. The minutes of this meeting are not yet signed off but have seen the draft minutes and that the specific recommendations were raised at my request: The consensus of the national group was that an arbitrary policy of consultation with wider family members on application and renewal of a firearms license, was not appropriate, given that one could not draw lines of delineation as to far such enquiries should reach; the depth and nature of the questions and the lack of proportionality involved. The group did consider however that the new Firearms Enquiry Officer accreditation standards focus much more on being professionally curious, and are much more inquisitorial in approach: It was commented on by the group that in some cases, work colleagues would know individuals better than their families might know them where would one draw the line? The NPCC Lead, ACC Orford is of the view that we cannot have a mandated series of steps but rather address each applicant on its merits and employing the new professional curiosity, in line with the new College of Policing standards_ The new standards, subject to ratification at the Serious and Organised Crime Board chaired by are to go live on the gth October 2018. These standards will run alongside current authorised professional practice and Home Office Guidance for Firearms Licensing Law 2016. Therefore , feel we have only partially fulfilled our obligations under your direction and suspect that you will be unhappy with this outcome. would ask that you allow my ACC who is my Director of Operations DDIMMAY Protective Marking Status
how
to meet with you and discuss some of the finer detail and challenges posed, so that we are able, to fully deliver the full extent of your directions apologise for the length of time this has taken whilst my senior managers have waded through national governance, please be assured that fully concur with your directions which are capable of preventing future deaths at scale in England and Wales:
Devon and Cornwall D&C have fully considered your directions and have reviewed local guidance which follows current national guidance. am now in receipt of a very detailed and comprehensive report which unfortunately am not yet satisfied meets our obligations to respond appropriately to your directions. This is in no way due to any resistance from my teams or indeed those that govern policy and practice nationally: However, have called for further work ahead of the submission of a final report: The firearms licensing manager , has taken this case study and your recommendations for discussion at national level with the NPCC lead, ACC Orford on Tuesday 11th September, hence our prior need for an extension. The minutes of this meeting are not yet signed off but have seen the draft minutes and that the specific recommendations were raised at my request: The consensus of the national group was that an arbitrary policy of consultation with wider family members on application and renewal of a firearms license, was not appropriate, given that one could not draw lines of delineation as to far such enquiries should reach; the depth and nature of the questions and the lack of proportionality involved. The group did consider however that the new Firearms Enquiry Officer accreditation standards focus much more on being professionally curious, and are much more inquisitorial in approach: It was commented on by the group that in some cases, work colleagues would know individuals better than their families might know them where would one draw the line? The NPCC Lead, ACC Orford is of the view that we cannot have a mandated series of steps but rather address each applicant on its merits and employing the new professional curiosity, in line with the new College of Policing standards_ The new standards, subject to ratification at the Serious and Organised Crime Board chaired by are to go live on the gth October 2018. These standards will run alongside current authorised professional practice and Home Office Guidance for Firearms Licensing Law 2016. Therefore , feel we have only partially fulfilled our obligations under your direction and suspect that you will be unhappy with this outcome. would ask that you allow my ACC who is my Director of Operations DDIMMAY Protective Marking Status
how
to meet with you and discuss some of the finer detail and challenges posed, so that we are able, to fully deliver the full extent of your directions apologise for the length of time this has taken whilst my senior managers have waded through national governance, please be assured that fully concur with your directions which are capable of preventing future deaths at scale in England and Wales:
Action Planned
Durham Constabulary outlines that the Home Office is preparing to go to public consultation on their guidance to forces on issuing firearms certificates later this year, and they will endeavour to include the lessons learned from Mr Hill's death, in particular, for FEO's to ensure that they examine the domestic and family circumstances of an applicant should this appear to be relevant under Section 27 of the Firearms Act 1968. (AI summary)
Durham Constabulary outlines that the Home Office is preparing to go to public consultation on their guidance to forces on issuing firearms certificates later this year, and they will endeavour to include the lessons learned from Mr Hill's death, in particular, for FEO's to ensure that they examine the domestic and family circumstances of an applicant should this appear to be relevant under Section 27 of the Firearms Act 1968. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Mr Allen, Thank you for the opportunity to discuss, in a little more depth; the possible ways we can learn important lessons from the tragic death of John Hill. was grateful for your understanding of the complexities surrounding guidance that can be issued to Firearms Enquiry Officers in terms of the steps might want to undertake in order to make recommendations to Chief Constable under Section 27 of the Firearms Act 1968. That section has a paragraph that feel is very relevant to your section 28 notice_ (c) that in all the circumstances the applicant can be permitted to have the firearm or ammunition in his possession without danger to the public safety or to the peace. In determining what might constitute "all circumstances" outlined how | expect Firearms Enquiry Officers (FEO) to carry out diligent enquiries with appropriate professional curiosity during their home visits and interactions with applicants for a firearms certificate Because of the very diverse nature of applicant situations it is very challenging to give prescribed series of steps that must be carried out in each case, over and above existing intelligence convictions and medical checks. We discussed how there are situations where this could give a false perception that an applicant could be suitable were further investigations not carried out by the FEO. As outlined , have been informed that the Home Office are preparing to go to public consultation on their guidance to forces on issuing firearms certificates later this year, and will endeavour to include the lessons learned from Mr Hill's death. In particular, for FEO's to ensure DURHAM CONSTABULARY IN AN EMERGENCY facebook WWW: durham police.uk Lwieler n01 CAWAYS9 Palicing Your they key Abour Disabl
that examine the domestic and family circumstances of an applicant should this appear to be relevant under Section 27 of the Firearms Act 1968. Thank you again for taking the time to discuss this in more detail, and if you wish to be involved in the future consultation please let me know.
that examine the domestic and family circumstances of an applicant should this appear to be relevant under Section 27 of the Firearms Act 1968. Thank you again for taking the time to discuss this in more detail, and if you wish to be involved in the future consultation please let me know.
Action Taken
CFOA has disseminated information about the dangers posed by emollient creams to all fire and rescue services through internal communications channels, and will promote safety warnings relating to these creams through their own safety campaign weeks and online/press channels. (AI summary)
CFOA has disseminated information about the dangers posed by emollient creams to all fire and rescue services through internal communications channels, and will promote safety warnings relating to these creams through their own safety campaign weeks and online/press channels. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Mr Wilkinson Re: Inquest into the death of John HILLS - 23 June 2015 Thank you for your letter dated 11th August 2015 and follow up letter dated 28th October; my apologies for our delayed response The Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback on this important issue_ As CFOA's lead officer for home safety, have been asked to respond on behalf of CFOA President Peter Dartford, For the sake of clarity , must point out that CFOA has no regulatory or enforcement powers which require change from fire and rescue service. However, we do provide advice and guidance to fire and rescue services and are keen to ensure we learn lessons at opportunity and share vital safety messages_ The dangers posed by emollient creams has been highlighted before, and a number of fire and rescue services already include warnings about flammable emollient creams as part of their fire safety messages, in particular targeted towards older people. We have taken steps to disseminate the information from this particular case (and the previous information relating to the 2007 case) to all fire and rescue services through our internal communications channels_ CFOA also run our own safety campaign weeks and regularly promote safety messages online and via the press. We will use these channels to promote safety warnings relating to these creams CFOA are currently working closely with NHS colleagues on the development of an expanded version of the usual fire service Home Fire Safety Check; called Safe and Well" visit. This will take account of a wider range of health and safety issues, and make use of the 670,000 or so home visits undertaken by services each year to promote undertake health interventions. We will be sure to consider emollient creams as one of the issues to be included as part of these visits_ We would also support any move to ensure that these creams are properly labelled by the manufacturer as well as efforts to ensure doctors and pharmacists are aware of the potential hazards to ensure can give appropriate advice to patients_ Chief Fire Officers Association 9-11 Pebble Close Amington Tamworth Staffordshire B77 4RD Registered in England as Limitecl Cornpany: No 03677188 Telephone +44 (0J1827 302300 Fax +44 (0J1827 302399 wWWcfoa org.Uk Registered in England a5 Charily No 1074071 VAT Registralion Na: 902 1954 46 The every they
This matter will be considered in greater detail by the CFOA Home Safety Committee with a view to establishing what further ways we can promote safety messages around the use of paraffin based emollient creams_
This matter will be considered in greater detail by the CFOA Home Safety Committee with a view to establishing what further ways we can promote safety messages around the use of paraffin based emollient creams_
Sent To
- Dorset Police
- Home Office
Response Status
Linked responses
3 of 2
56-Day Deadline
4 Sep 2018
All responses received
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On the gth June 2017, an investigation was commenced into the death of John Edward Hill; born on the 22nd January 1940. The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on the 22nd June 2018. The Medical Cause of Death was: la Head Injury due to skull penetrated by rifle bullet The conclusion of the Inquest was Suicide:
Circumstances of the Death
On the 26th May 2017, the deceased was found in collapsed and unresponsive condition in the living room at his home address with a 22 calibre long barrelled rifle in his hands and a bullet wound to his forehead.
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion urgent action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you and/or your organisation have the power to take such action:
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.