APRIL 2024 REPORT (7-9pm)
APRIL 2024 REPORT
DCCS Panel members along with Denise Alexander (standing in for Tom Cunningham while on annual leave) and Body Worn Video [BWV] Systems Administrators Karen Janicka welcomed new panel members and visiting James Gale, Alliance Operations Commander for D&C Police & Dorset Police.
This month’s cases selected BWV involving subjects aged between 18-40 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 STOP AND SEARCH [S&S]
APRIL 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 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 - Male subject identified in bar by police drug dog:
Investigation, responses and learning required with:
Moving the subject away from public view for S&S would have preserved dignity and prevented other members of the public from becoming involved / agitated.
Officers holding on to the subject as well as being handcuffed - could have escalated the situation.
Officer’s informal language - use of ‘mate’ could be viewed as overfamiliar by some members of the public.
Panel were confused when the officer mentioned the subject's arrest was ‘dependent on looking at his previous record.;
James Gale - “officers will be looking at whether the subject’s previous incidents involved personal drug use or dealing”. For personal use, a community resolution can be implemented rather than an arrest.
Actions to be commended:
Panel assessed this incident as necessary.
Officers were professional, respectful and calm.
Officers were informative and checked that the subject understood procedures.
Officer had handcuffs removed once S&S completed.
Officer acknowledged the subject's loss of friend.
GOWISELY was followed well - officers repeated and covered clearly.
S&S BWV 1 ASSESSMENT
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 - Female subject identified at train station by police drug dog:
Investigation, responses and learning required with:
Some panel members questioned why there was a private conversation between officers asking if they wanted to detain the subject.
BWV angle needed addressing - limited visibility of police engagement with the subject.
Second officer (17224) BWV was turned on but angle was also poor and not prevented thorough scrutiny.
Panel couldn’t hear all of GOWISELY as the other officer ran through it out of BWV mic range.
Panel discussed officers’ technique of asking subjects about their jobs - in this situation subjects don’t have to provide this information. If it’s a “conversational tactic”, officer’s need to be aware that this may cause panic or escalation,
Panel asked if this officer was from D&C Police? His uniform looked like City of London branding.
Actions to be commended:
Panel assessed this incident as necessary - the drug dog clearly identified this member of the public.
Panel assessed this incident as proportionate.
Panel assessed this incident as ethical.
Officers took the subject to a quieter location away from the station entrance for S&S - respected her dignity.
Young female subject with 2 male officers and a dog alone - panel commended officers for avoiding unnecessary body search as dog helped pinpoint object to the subject’s bag.
S&S 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.
ASSESSING D&C POLICE USE OF FORCE [UOF]
APRIL 2024 REPORT
Body-Worn Videos
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 - High speed vehicle pursuit by Alliance Operations.
Investigation, responses and learning required with:
Panel found this response very quick with a high level of force we hadn’t seen before.
No deescalation techniques assessed - panel members asked if the subject could have been given the opportunity to exit the vehicle. He was on the passenger side so not in control of the vehicle.
Panel asked if it is typical practice for Alliance Operations officers to smash car windows and bend a subject’s arm out of the window?
Subject was in need of medical attention - his face was cut from car window glass shards and being put face first on the hard shoulder. Subject also mentioned being ‘caught in the face’ -
Officer mentioned removing handcuffs when no longer detained but the subject remained restrained (and on the floor), including while being given first aid.
BWV audio was difficult to hear at times.
Panel was unsure if PLANTER was fully followed.
Actions to be commended:
Armed response on hand and mentioned the subject failing to stop - high risk of danger prevented by officers actions.
Once subject’s detained, the officer’s voice level and tone changed to more respectful very quickly (especially considering the adrenaline).
Officer gave medical attention to the subject on the scene as soon as possible. Checked if there were any other medical issues.
The officer apologised to the subject for injuries sustained and explained reasons for the procedure.
Panel assessed that the officer did not discriminate, act with prejudice or bias.
UOF BWV 1 ASSESSMENT
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO UOF BWV 1
The DCCS Panel recognises that there are areas of excellent practice from this officer and areas of learning. May the former be a strong foundation for the latter.
UOF Case 2 - Allegations reported at shop
Investigation, responses and learning required with:
Panel members questioned officers' technique of 'pushing' a subject along as a use of force and how this could be perceived by passers-by.
One officer’s sarcastic comments about the deeds were unnecessary.
The panel recommended that the female officers should have given verbal warning of handcuffs.
Panel asked if additional support can be provided for subjects who may have mental health issues present, leading to repeat situations and similar cases for officers.
Some panel members questioned the proportionality of four officers on scene with one subject.
Actions to be commended:
Panel assessed officers as using de escalation techniques - spending a lot of time in lengthy conversation and negotiations, giving the subject multiple opportunities to provide evidence that he "owned the store" as claimed, providing different choices, offered a lift home, explained what would happen if he didn't leave and why including the legalities.
Officers were honest and truthful during the encounter.
Panel assessed officers did not discriminate, act with prejudice or bias.
Officers avoided higher levels of force, confrontation with the owner who drove past, or arrest.
Officer submitted a referral to mental health services following this incident.
PLANTER was followed.
UOF BWV 2 ASSESSMENT
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO UOF BWV 2
The DCCS Panel commends this officer's actions and use of police powers in this particular case.
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