Recommendations - Bedfordshire Police, July 2021
Recommendation date: 19 July 2021
Response due: 13 September 2021
Published: 20 December 2021
Death and serious injury
We identified organisational learning from a death or serious injury report. It relates to a matter where a person had a suspected heart attack while in custody and received medical treatment by officers.
Recommendations (3)
Recommendation 1
Accepted
Recommendation
The IOPC recommends that Bedfordshire Police reviews the current process of medical examinations being documented on paper records when problems are encountered with the Athena system, to ensure that copies of the paper records are shared immediately with custody sergeants … Read more
Force Response
Accepted: Revised SOPS will contain information on the process of paperwork, that is supplementary to the Athena custody record. The Custody Operating Procedure will be updated to ensure that all custody staff (sergeants and detention officers) are aware of the … Read more
Recommendation 2
Accepted
Recommendation
The IOPC recommends that Bedfordshire Police review the way that handovers are conducted by custody sergeants, to ensure that they are carried out effectively, in an appropriate setting and free from distractions where reasonably practicable. Consideration should also be given … Read more
Force Response
Accepted: Handovers must be detailed. APP guidance for handovers states: “The information entered should include the risks, disabilities, medical needs, vulnerabilities, emerging issues, control strategies and welfare needs of each detainee. It should also cover the status of each investigation, … Read more
Recommendation 3
Accepted
Recommendation
Bedfordshire Police should provide guidance to custody sergeants in respect of ensuring that a Health Care Professional (HCP) is present during handovers between staff when practicable. This will ensure that custody sergeants are provided with accurate and up-to-date information about … Read more
Force Response
Accepted:
This approach has now been adopted by Herts and Beds Custody Operating Procedure will also be updated.