APRIL 2024 REPORT (3-5pm)
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 Chief Superintendent Matthew Longman (Plymouth Police Commander)
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 - 2 males in a van stopped under suspicion of intent to deal/supply drugs:
Investigation, responses and learning required with:
Initially, panel members were confused about the process as it was very rushed. Panel does appreciate this was due to the van leaving the scene where drug dealing was suspected.
The officer repeatedly gave the reason for stop because the subjects ‘were unknown” while waving handcuffs - this behaviour could be perceived as threatening and escalated the situation. Panel members were concerned for the officers safety in this situation if the subjects did react aggressively or drive away.
The panel appreciates officers often try to match subject language to build a quick rapport, however in this incident, panel members assessed it as too informal, with derogative and unprofessional comments: “I don’t care”, “people are pricks”, “druggies down the road”, “being an ass”, “I don't want you to bugger off”.
The panel asked whether the subject is still allowed use of their phone while being stopped for a search?
GOWISELY was not fully followed.
Actions to be commended:
After the initial rush, the officer explained the context clearly to subjects and officers who arrived later.
Officer dealt with the situation well on own with subjects who weren't that compliant and stayed in their vehicle.
Officer kept the situation calm and their tone deescalated the situation when the subjects became annoyed. Explained why more officers were being called on scene.
The incident started quite argumentative and fractious - the officer's conversation did help calm with use of humour.
Body-worn video had a good camera angle and audio.
Officer reassured the subject of the pharmacy call - once the prescription could be confirmed, their medication would be returned.
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.
Request case is referred to Section 136 Panel for scrutiny.
S&S Case 2 - Initial investigation into suspicious use of bank card use, became S&S of suspected vulnerable victim:
Investigation, responses and learning required with:
Officer’s camera angle made footage difficult to observe S&S - the officer needed to lower the BWV position.
Panel members were unsure whether this S&S was necessary or proportionate.
Officer did not provide the subject with enough clear information about why they were concerned for his welfare and what support they could provide.
Subject was given limited privacy - a side room was later offered by bank staff but the door was not closed. This environment doesn’t facilitate disclosure.
Panel members found this interaction confusing at times. The officer reassured the subject he wasn’t in trouble but their actions didn’t necessarily match this. This may be why the subject wasn’t forthcoming. Officer’s tone changed from caring to accusatory once the subject was moved into the side room and comms received through their radio - stating “I know what you’re like” and handcuffing the subject. Panel members highlighted that this inconsistent ‘help’ would not reassure a vulnerable subject or encourage disclosure if he needed actual support.
Panel noted that the subject mentioned he’d used drugs earlier in the day but didn’t admit to having cannabis on him despite the officer saying he did. This was used as the grounds for S&S.
Panel asked what follow up is there to protect a possible vulnerable subject open to exploitation?
Actions to be commended:
GOWISELY followed.
Officers immediately separated subjects and questioned separately.
Checked in on a ‘dodgy card’.
S&S BWV 2 ASSESSMENT
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO S&S BWV 2
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.
S&S Case 3 - Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) going door to door with leaflets smelt cannabis coming from the property:
Investigation, responses and learning required with:
Panel members were unsure if this incident was necessary. Incident doesn’t appear to just be a S&S as recorded- subject was arrested and their house searched, pane were unsure about these procedures and use of police powers as this was the first case of its type selected..
Panel questioned whether a house could be searched without a warrant based on the smell of cannabis, and the legalities of a PCSO conducting such a thorough search.
GOWISELY was not followed for both subjects.
Some panel members asked how the legality of knives are assessed
Actions to be commended:
Panel assessed this incident as proportionate.
Officer knew the subjects in the house. He was very friendly and amicable, conducting a calm search on his own.
Good example of PCSO community engagement and mutual respect.
S&S 3 ASSESSMENT
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO S&S BWV 3
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.
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 - Report of female screaming with Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO):
Investigation, responses and learning required with:
All panel members assessed that in this context, the subject did not receive the best service the police could have provided.
Instead of a trauma-informed approach and being mindful of how the subject may react, a victim of abuse was retraumatised.
There was very little empathy and compassion demonstrated by officers, unhelpful repeated shouting to ‘stop it’ and ‘calm down’ rather than engaging in conversation.
Engagement with the subject felt rushed with no time to pause and slow the situation down.
One male officer’s presence immediately triggered the subject - she became very distressed and was flooded with a trauma response and unable to calm down. He continued to escalate the situation - the subject stated that she’d put in previous complaints about him. There were enough officers present for this officer to remove himself from sight.
The subject's complaints clearly haven't been followed up. Please look into whether they have been addressed.
Male officer who was causing panic grabbed this known vulnerable victim as she complied exiting the flat. She was not going to react well to being touched. This behaviour caused a lot of distress and trauma, resulting in her lashing out at the officer.
A female officer should have been at the forefront, rather than male officers leading the communication and use of force.
Panel members questioned if officers had any right to grab the subject and force entry into the property. There was no one in her house so the dialogue officers stated they heard through the door was not accurate grounds. Once it was ascertained she was alone, the situation should have been deescalated.
Officers' behaviour was assessed by some panel members as sneaky / breaking the subject's trust to gain access.
Use of force was assessed as avoidable if effective dialogue and de escalation techniques were initially implemented.
Panel assessed officers as not implementing use of force powers constructively. Behaviour appeared to be used as punishment - such as stating the subject had to stay on the police floor van for transport, which is unsafe.
Panel members found this case very concerning and officers' behaviour disrespectful.
This vulnerable subject is very unlikely to call the police for support after this, even if it is needed. This is the opposite of protection - a safeguarding welfare check turned into an arrest with multiple use of force.
Subject in meed of medical attention - suicide stated multiple times and trauma caused.
PLANTER was not followed.
Actions to be commended:
Handcuffs were loosened.
UOF BWV 1 ASSESSMENT
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO UOF BWV 1
Officer’s response not received
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