OCTOBER 2021 REPORT
OCTOBER 2021 REPORT
DCCSP members along with Chief Inspector Mark Beavan and Body Worn Video [BWV] Systems Administrator Ian Cocklin observed two Use of Force [UoF] and three Stop and Search [S&S] BWV selected by the panel from the previous month's reports. The following identifies points to action, D&C Police responses, case assessments and outstanding areas that require investigation.
Case Selection .
Case Selection .
Action Point 1
Panel requests an update on case selection clips for investigation, which did not have BWV during the selection process [five UoF clips and three S&S].
Members selecting cases noted that all Use of Force reports where the individual self-identified as black have no BWV - all but one took place in Plymouth. Recommend officers are reminded of the important of this procedure, especially in Plymouth stations.
D&C POLICE RESPONSE 1
MB to investigate. No outcome yet received.
Action Point 2
Update on July scrutiny’s outstanding Points to Action [deadline set for response: end of Sept before Oct panel]:
Community Complaints Trigger received in March - outcome received from Simon Hardwick shows no visible change. Investigation into disparity with D&C BAME S&S figures and places like Bristol that are still in the southwest. Investigation into the policy for not videoing under 18s in S&S. Discuss with internal team about the resilience structure between D&C Police and panel.
D&C POLICE RESPONSE 2
MB to investigate. No response yet received.
Action Point 3
Panel members question to be investigated and data provided regarding the grounds for S&S, which often appear to be a ‘strong smell of cannabis’. Smell is difficult to assess through BWV and there’s no way to quantify this. The panel requests statistics on the number of cases where this cause is cited and whether drugs were found / what outcome transpired.
D&C POLICE RESPONSE 3
MB to investigate. No response yet received.
Action Point 4
Investigate UoF Subject Injury Column meaning when ‘blank’ is selected.
D&C POLICE RESPONSE 3
MB to investigate. No response yet received.
Action Point 5
Investigate why the use of handcuffs were used as a tactic in UoF BWV 1. Were there other tactics that could be employed to de-escalate a situation with a young person?
D&C POLICE RESPONSE 5
MB to investigate. No response yet received.
Action Point 6
UoF BWV 2 wasn’t switched on from the start of the incident. Investigate if BWV clips from other officers present shed light on escalation [according to the system there are nine other BWV clips].
D&C POLICE RESPONSE 6
MB to investigate. No response yet received.
Action Point 7
Investigate UoF Subject Injury Column for BWV 2. ‘Blank’ is selected but appears that the subject has a cut arm. Check if there were any female officers who could have attended the incident.
D&C POLICE RESPONSE 7
MB to investigate. No response yet received.
ASSESSING D&C POLICE STOP AND SEARCHES
(S&S)
October 2021 REPORT
Via Microsoft Teams, at the start of each case BWV Systems Administrator Ian Cocklin played selected clip, Chief Inspector Mark Beavan read the corresponding report submitted from case officer(s) before the DCCS Panel discussed and submitted the below feedback and assessments.
Senior officers in each Force area where the cases under scrutiny took place have been asked to feedback the panel’s observations and reminders for officers. Supervising officers were contacted by MB after the panel meeting to enable Supervisors to view BWV footage that would not be retained beyond 31 days, ahead of the panel report.
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 BWV 1 feedback to be provided
Three individuals subject to S&S but panel could only hear and assess GOWISELY for one detainee being searched by the officer wearing BWV. Clear and non-confrontational procedure following GOWISELY well. Report has currently not been signed off by Supervisor. Recommend this is checked to ensure completed.
S&S BWV 1 ASSESSMENT
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO S&S BWV 1
No response yet received from Supervisor regarding sign off.
PANEL FEEDBACK: S&S BWV 2
Officers asked if the subject understood English but the panelwere concerned that he did not understand instructions or what was communicated to him. so couldn’t comprehend GOWISELY, whether followed correctly or not. Recommend MB investigates this with officers present as well as providing a copy of the procedure for language barriers to the panel. Community resolution has been advised - MB to share with panel the outcome.
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO S&S BWV 2
MB to investigate. No outcome yet received.
S&S BWV 3 feedback to be provided
Clip had to be fast forwarded to S&S due to sensitive nature of content, as a result the panel couldn't assess or rate the procedure as a whole. MB to view on behalf of panel and feedback if GOWISELY was followed. Panel recommends investigation into report as there is no record of location and officer defined race is selected as 'unknown'.
S&S BWV 3 ASSESSMENT
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO S&S BWV 3
MB to investigate. No outcome yet received.
ASSESSING D&C POLICE USE OF FORCE [UOF]
OCTOBER 2021 REPORT
Body Worn Videos
Via Microsoft Teams, at the start of each case BWV Systems Administrator Ian Cocklin played selected clip, Chief Inspector Mark Beavan read the corresponding report submitted from case officer(s) before the DCCS Panel discussed and submitted the below feedback and assessments. Senior officers in each Force area where the cases under scrutiny took place have been asked to feedback the panel’s observations and reminders for officers. Supervising officers were contacted by MB after the panel meeting to enable Supervisors to view BWV footage that would not be retained beyond 31 days ahead of the panel report.
PROPORTIONATE amount of force
LENGTH of force used
ACTIONS of subject warranted use of force
NECESSARY to use force to protect
TYPE used was minimum appropriate
ETHICAL to use force in situation
REASONABLE for officer to employ
UOF BWV 1 feedback to be provided
Assessed as proportionate and the actions were necessary. Subject was a 12 year old male who couldn’t be released until he was safe, but difficult for panel to assess length of UoF because of his defiance and not all content being appropriate for panel to watch. Recommend MB investigates meaning of 'blank' in Subject Injury Column and the officers use of handcuffs and de-escalation techniques as the subject's distress intensified.
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO S&S BWV 1
MB to investigate. No outcome yet received.
UOF BWV 2 feedback to be provided
Concerns with how incident escalated to UoF with two male officers and a 15 year old female under Section 136 [BWV doesn’t show arrival on scene]. Strongly recommend this case is flagged for scrutiny by S136 panel and MB investigate why BWV not immediately turned on, as well as the selection of 'blank' under Subject Injury when subject's arm appeared to be cut. Panel requests clarity on whether any female officers could have responded.
D&C POLICE RESPONSE TO S&S BWV 2
MB to investigate. No outcome yet received.
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