MARCH 2024 REPORT (7-9pm)
MARCH 2024 REPORT
DCCS Panel members along with Chief Inspector Tom Cunningham and Body Worn Video [BWV] Systems Administrators Karen Janicka welcomed visiting police Chief Superintendent Roy Linden (Police Commander for South Devon), Teresa Berridgen (D&C Police Equality Diversity & Human Rights Officer, and Victoria Church (The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner).
This month’s cases selected BWV involving subjects aged between 1-17 years.
Before observing body-worn footage selected by the panel from the previous month's cases, the Chair reminded panel members of wellness practice and the opportunity for debriefing at the end of the meeting.
The following report identifies points to action, D&C Police responses, case assessments and outstanding areas that require investigation.
Body-Worn Video Assessment .
Body-Worn Video Assessment .
ASSESSING D&C POLICE USE OF FORCE [UOF]
MARCH 2024 REPORT
Body-Worn Videos
Via Microsoft Teams, at the start of each case BWV Systems Administrator Karen Janicka played the clip selected by the panel before members completed their anonymous assessment, discussed and submitted the below feedback.
Chief Inspector Tom Cunningham circulated this report with actions and recommendations to D&C Police Basic Command Unit, Operations Department, Learning and Development, Force Stop and Search Lead and Force Use of Force Lead.
All confirmed discussions, decisions and/or actions taken by officers and supervisors following receipt of the DCCS Panel report are identified in bold blue text.
Panel members use PLANTER as part of their Use of Force scrutiny assessment:
PROPORTIONATE amount of force implemented
LENGTH of force used
ACTIONS of subject warranted use of force
NECESSARY to use force to protect the subject, officers or members of the public
TYPE used was minimum appropriate
ETHICAL to use force in the situation
REASONABLE for officer(s) to employ
UOF Case 1 - young male suspected with theft of a motor vehicle
BWV 1 feedback to be provided:
Investigation, responses and learning required with:
Body-worn video didn’t provide context as it started with the subject on the floor being handcuffed and arrested for suspected theft of a motor vehicle. Officers to be reminded of turning BWV on much earlier to ensure they capture the start of an incident and any prior warnings / deescalation.
Assisting officer did not turn on their BWV until the suspect was in the police car.
Additional officers weren’t required.
Actions to be commended:
Officer controlled the incident well, with a considerate and calm attitude.
All panel members assessed this officer’s use of force as following PLANTER.
UOF BWV 1 ASSESSMENT
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO UOF BWV 1
The DCCS Panel commends this officer's actions and use of police powers in this particular case.
UOF Case 2 - young males reported for criminal damage
BWV 2 feedback to be provided:
Investigation, responses and learning required with:
All panel members raised concerns about the officers' totally inappropriate and unprofessional language towards subject(s). Patronising insults bordering on verbal abuse: “You’re all pathetic”, “you’re an embarrassment”, “I’ll bang you in cuffs”, “I called your dad - enjoy”, “absolutely pathetic aren’t you”, “you get dealt with the way you deal with us”, “everyone in cuffs”.
No deescalation was implemented in this situation. Subject was initially compliant - if the original officer had placed the subject in handcuffs, further use of force could have been prevented.
Force was not proportionate - the second officer was heavy-handed and escalated further, implementing handcuffs out of what appeared to be frustration.
Panel requests shoulder number of the second officer and for future BWV selection to include his cases for further scrutiny - panel members were concerned with how quick he was to react and act aggressively - escalating this situation. Lack of respect for vulnerable young people.
Both officers lacked control in this situation. Young people aimed to antagonise the police and they succeeded.
All panel members assessed that PLANTER was not followed.
Actions to be commended:
Officers contacted the parents.
UOF BWV 2 ASSESSMENT
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO UOF BWV 2
Officer’s response not received.
Panel request case investigated further - Chief Superintendent Roy Linden to meet with officers.
Panel requests shoulder number of second officer to select future cases for scrutiny.
UOF Case 3 - young person suspected of common assault
BWV 3 feedback to be provided:
Investigation, responses and learning required with:
BWV began with male officer actively running after a young female subject before tackling her to the ground. No prior context or deescalation techniques to assess.
When chasing the subject, the officer didn’t identify themselves as a police officer or instruct the subject to stop.
Very little communication or dialogue with the subject after being handcuffed, and their questions about the allegations weren’t answered.
Subject wasn’t searched before the first officer tried to put them in the police car - could have had an object that caused harm.
The number of officers, as well as an audience of young people laughing and filming the incident was impacting the subject’s behaviour - officers attempted to move them on but this wasn’t successful. Young people's dignity was not being preserved.
Some panel members highlighted that when officers mirror young peoples’ tone and attitude, these are the cases that escalate. In these incidents, police officers who seem to have a better dynamic with the subject (such as the female officer or male officer who engaged later in the incident) could shift the entire encounter by taking the lead.
Attempts to put the subject in police transport lacked control. The potential for injury appeared quite high for officers and the subject. Leg restraints could have prevented further injury and damage.
The panel were unsure if PLANTER had been followed.
Panel asked if the young person’s injury was followed up?
Actions to be commended:
Female officer was in attendance for the body search.
Female officer asked about the subject’s injuries before searching and showed care towards them.
Male officer later in the incident, demonstrated interest in the subject and asked helpful questions.
Use of a police van was better for both officer and subject safety in this situation.
UOF 3 ASSESSMENT
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO UOF BWV 3
Officer’s response not received.
ASSESSING D&C POLICE STOP AND SEARCHES [S&S]
MARCH 2024 REPORT
Body-Worn Videos
Panel members use GOWISELY as part of their scrutiny assessment. It is an acronym that officers must use to provide information to a subject before the Stop and Search. If the GOWISELY procedure is not followed then the S&S is highly likely to have been unlawful.
GROUNDS of the search
OBJECT of the search
WARRANT card [if not in uniform]
IDENTITY [officer name & number]
STATION [where officer is based]
ENTITLEMENT to receipt
LEGAL power used
YOU are detained for S&S
S&S Case 1 - young male with suspected firearm in town centre
BWV 1 feedback to be provided:
Investigation, responses and learning required with:
GOWISELY was not fully followed (missed identity and station), however the panel appreciate in this context public safety with a firearm was the priority.
Actions to be commended:
All panel members assessed this encounter as necessary.
All panel members assessed this encounter as proportionate.
Despite the threat, officers spoke clearly and calmly, dealt with the situation quickly and safely, and treated the subject with respect.
Very fast deescalation as soon as the object was identified as a non-threat.
Handcuffs were removed and the subject no longer detained as soon as S&S conducted and nothing found.
Officers had an amicable conversation with subject and friend afterwards on why the incident happened - non judgemental and professional, which helped alleviate stress, great policing.
Panel wanted to recognise the bravery of these officers’ actions and excellent control of adrenaline / switch of emotions in these circumstances.
S&S BWV 1 ASSESSMENT
✓ Necessary
✓ Proportionate
✓ Ethical
X GOWISELY Followed
Result = green 3
The panel would likely have rated this S&S a ‘green 1’ if all of GOWISELY had been followed.
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO S&S BWV 1
The DCCS Panel commends this officer's actions and use of police powers in this particular case.
S&S Case 2 - young females reported
BWV 2 feedback to be provided:
Investigation, responses and learning required with:
Towards the conclusion, the officer's demeanour shifted towards a more negative tone. The young female subject was inadequately dressed for the cold weather conditions. While offering a coat post-search could have been a gesture of care, it was unfortunately delivered with a conditional undertone, implying that compliance was a prerequisite: "if you behave" or "you've lost your chance now." This missed opportunity could have been utilised to conclude the incident on a more positive note, emphasising compassion and understanding.
Actions to be commended:
GOWISELY was followed.
Gender informed policing was considered, with a female officer available for S&S and verbalising areas she was searching.
Female officer spoke calmly, professionally, didn’t react to hostility, and kept the subject's focus when she was getting upset.
UOF BWV 2 ASSESSMENT
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO S&S BWV 2
The DCCS Panel commends this officer's actions and use of police powers in this particular case.
“It’s been really good to see things from a different perspective from other panels. Thank you very much indeed DCCS Panel”
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