Recommendations - Suffolk Constabulary, October 2020
Recommendation date: 28 October 2020
Response due: 23 December 2020
Published: 3 March 2021
Death and serious injury
This case concerns a Death or Serious Injury (DSI) matter, the injured person (IP) presented as being in a Mental Health crisis and was detained. The IP suffered a siezure in the cell and on discovery medical attention sought. The IP was then transferred to hospital. On review of the custody record it was apparent that there were entries relating to observation of the IP during the period that he was no longer at the custody suite as he was in hospital. It was clear that the observation records were copied and pasted across numerous detainee records and were clearly factually incorrect in terms of the IP.
Recommendations (3)
Recommendation 1
Accepted
Recommendation
The IOPC recommends that Suffolk Constabulary should stop the practice in its custody suites of making multi-cell observation records in individual detainee custody records. Entries on an individual custody record should only note observations in relation to that specific detainee’s … Read more
Force Response
Accepted action: This practise is not taught during detention officer and safer detention training within the forces learning and development team. This recommendation will be fully adopted and adhered to. This has been instructed to the staff by the Head … Read more
Recommendation 2
Accepted
Recommendation
The IOPC recommended that Suffolk Constabulary ensures that all custody officers and staff are reminded of the importance of accurate custody entries, and are made aware of any change to force practices concerning the recording of visits and observations. This … Read more
Force Response
Accepted action: Suffolk Constabulary’s custody provision is managed along with Norfolk Constabulary. This is a joint department. The Head of Custody (CI Paling) has a series of 4 weekly management meetings where he briefs his SLT, and this briefing includes … Read more
Recommendation 3
Accepted
Recommendation
The IOPC recommended that Suffolk Constabulary takes appropriate action to satisfy itself that officers and staff are no longer completing multi-cell observations records and are complying with any change to force practices. This follows a DSI review in respect of … Read more
Force Response
Accepted action: The Custody command has a 4 weekly performance pack which contains data on key performance indicators. This is produced by the force’s analytical team. The compliance to with the instruction to cease multi cell checks is being managed … Read more