Page 7 - BedFed Dec2018 Flipbook

from abuse.
Martin added: “Nobody does this type of
work looking for kudos, but it’s appropriate that we give them the recognition they deserve. They are a credit to themselves, their force and their country.”
The awards followed the two-day PFNDF seminar which included a presentation from a former computer hacker who warned that policing needs to change its culture if it is to attract and retain the most talented cyber experts into the service.
Cal Leeming, who now runs a Cyber Security consultancy River Oakfield previously served time in prison for computer hacking and fraud offences, but told detectives that the restrictive nature of policing may deter some people from joining.
Former Met officer Paula Craig was also a guest speaker and explained how she re-built her policing career after being left paralysed following a road accident.
vant
Chief Constable Nick Ephgrave addresses the seminar.
Ephgrave.”
The seminar also included the PFNDF
awards, and Graeme said it was a ‘first-rate’ event in celebrating detectives’ achievements.
“The awards night again was an example of first-rate organisation enabling national teams to showcase their endeavour,” he said. “I now see the value of nomination to ensure that sizable achievements are recognised,” he added.
Emma challenges IOPC over drawn out cases
Bedfordshire Police Federation secretary Emma Carter challenged the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the timeliness of its inquiries during a national Post-Incident Procedures (PIP) seminar.
Emma, who delivers officer and staff training on the PIP process across the Force, feels that delays with the police watchdog’s investigations cause unnecessary stress to those under scrutiny, their families and also the relatives of the victims involved in the original incidents.
“We have seen these inquiries rumble on for several years and that cannot be acceptable for anyone involved,” says Emma, “I wanted an assurance from the IOPC that this would not be allowed to happen in future. It was a concern raised with the IOPC during the Federation conference earlier this year when we were told it would be looked at.
“The IOPC representative at the seminar appeared to say that this was in the past and was no longer an issue. But it’s something we will continue to monitor. Not only do lengthy and drawn out investigations cause stress all-round but they also risk losing their credibility when we are asking people to rely on their memories of events years and years ago.”
The annual seminar, organised by the Police Federation of England and Wales, was attended by 225 delegates from across the country at the end of October.
The Federation’s vice-chair, Ché Donald, summed up the importance of PIP when he said: “Whether you are an officer involved in a serious incident or the family of someone who has lost their life, PIPs can deliver the best possible outcome following a traumatic or life-changing event.”
This year’s event, held in Hinckley, Leicestershire, was the third seminar of its kind and covered a variety of topics including perception and distortion, anonymity, the physiology of restraint and a video and a presentation from Staffordshire Police about a pursuit incident which resulted in an accident involving members of the public. Delegates were invited to take part in a VIPER firearms training simulator as part of a session entitled ‘Shoot Don’t Shoot’.
discussed and it was agreed that it is a vital tool in the aftermath of a death or serious injury involving police contact but the officers’ ‘honestly held belief’ remains key to understanding the outcome and whether blame should be apportioned.
Lawyer Mark Wardley, a partner in Straw and Pearce, told the seminar that police dog bites should be considered under PIP, adding that it ‘fits the definition of a serious injury and we need to be ready’.
A revolutionary ‘Fit-bit’-style bracelet which could help prevent custody deaths was also unveiled. The equipment, which delivers vital health data in real-time, was showcased in a live demonstration of a police restraint scenario. It is hoped it could eventually be rolled out nationwide to help diagnose a medical condition called Acute Behavioural Disturbance (ABD) by monitoring heart rates and oxygen saturation levels of detainees.
Delegates also heard from national firearms lead DCC Simon Chesterman who urged officers to follow Authorised Professional Practice (APP), saying it was a better bet and afforded more protection than the new draft statutory guidelines issued by the IOPC.
He said: “The new statutory guidance does offer some wriggle room and is much better now than it was in its original form when it first came out in 2014. But the APP has been tested in court and if you stick to it, you can’t go wrong.”
In addition, Mr Chesterman tackled issues around the separation of officers – this makes people who have just been through a life-changing incident feel like suspects rather than witnesses he said – and discussed the issue of anonymity in today’s world of BWV.
The seminar also heard from the Federation’s national custody forum chair, Chris Bentley, who said PIP was not always easy to accommodate in the custody arena.
Chris called for better PIP training for non-police custody staff such as detention officers and custody nurses.
In closing, it was noted that the benefits of good post-incident procedures can make all the difference between ‘career
“Body-worn video (BWV) was also death’ or keeping the job officers love.
WE HAVE SEEN THESE INQUIRIES RUMBLE ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THAT CANNOT BE ACCEPTABLE FOR ANYONE INVOLVED. I WANTED AN ASSURANCE FROM THE IOPC THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN IN FUTURE.
7