BAHA-41 Response Accepted

Detention Sergeant Role

Recommendation

On operations where CPErS may be taken there should be a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) who acts as the 'Detention Sergeant' who has responsibility for the administrative aspects of CPErS handling. In most cases, it would be appropriate for the regimental Provost Sergeant to fulfil this role.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
- The Ministry of Defence stated in September 2011 that the Detention Sergeant role had been established for operations involving Captured Persons (CPErS) (Publication of the Baha Mousa Inquiry Report, 8 September 2011, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/publication-of-the-baha-mousa-inquiry-report). - A Ministry of Defence update in September 2012 recorded the status of this recommendation as completed (Baha Mousa Inquiry recommendation implementation, 8 September 2012). - No further published evidence has been identified since 2012.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-3-flash-preview on 24 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Accepted
Accepted Ministry of Defence
08 Sep 2011

The Secretary of State for Defence accepted this recommendation in principle. Statement to Parliament, 8 September 2011: 'I am accepting in principle all of [Sir William's] recommendations with one reservation.'

Read Full Response
Source
Report The Report of the Baha Mousa Inquiry - Volume III 08 Sep 2011
Responsible Bodies
Ministry of Defence Primary
Recommendation age 14.5 yrs
Last formal update 4945 days ago