Recommendations - Sussex Police, April 2021
Recommendation date: 21 April 2021
Response due: 16 June 2021
Published: 25 June 2021
Custody and detention
A man was arrested and detained in custody where he was asked to provide his fingerprints, photograph and DNA. After already having refused once, the Custody Sergeant opted to obtain the samples by force. The man was verbally resistant and became physically resistant once officers attempted to take hold of him. The Custody Sergeant then discharged Captor spray into the man’s face and placed him in handcuffs and a spit guard. He was then taken to the fingerprint room where he was held for an hour due to technical issues with the fingerprint machine. The Custody Sergeant stopped the attempt to take his fingerprints and the man was escorted to a cell. The Custody Sergeant, along with other officers, performed a cell exit manoeuvre and the Custody Sergeant removed the spit guard belatedly.
Recommendations (2)
Recommendation 1
Accepted
Recommendation
The IOPC recommends that Sussex Police review their policy in relation to cell extraction to ensure it provides guidance on the continued use of, and the removal of, a spit guard during the technique. The policy should define responsibility for … Read more
Force Response
Accepted action: The action that is being taken is: Custody Centre considerationsUpon presentation at the Custody Centre the officer will inform the Custody Officer if a Spit Guard has been applied and the circumstances leading to its application.Where a Spit … Read more
Recommendation 2
Accepted
Recommendation
The IOPC recommends that Sussex Police should review their policy in relation to the use of a spit guard after incapacitant spray has been used. Any detainee should be regularly reassessed to ensure continued use of a spit guard is … Read more
Force Response
Accepted action: Sussex Police have reviewed the recommendations and are grateful for them has they have allowed us to strengthen our policy and training around this subject.The action that is being taken is: Incapacitant Spray considerations Following exposure to Incapacitant … Read more