Recommendation - Suffolk Constabulary, January 2022
This recommendation has been made following a review of an incident where a man self-inflicted serious injury. The man contacted Suffolk Constabulary on several occasions in the weeks prior to harming himself.
IOPC reference
Recommendations
Suffolk Constabulary should implement a process to ensure that in all cases where there are mental health concerns for a member of the public who comes into contact with the police, reasonable action is taken to facilitate those individuals receiving mental health support. Officers should be made aware of this new process once it has been developed.
This recommendation follows a death or serious injury (DSI) investigation by Suffolk Constabulary, following an incident in which a male seriously harmed himself shortly after being in contact with police. Officers had contact with the male on numerous occasions in the weeks leading up to this incident, during which he had expressed suicidal thoughts. When attending an incident in which there are concerns for an individual’s mental health, officers should complete a Vulnerable Person Form. However, the DSI investigation identified that the completion of a Vulnerable Person Form does not result in an onward referral to an appropriate mental health team. Therefore, there is currently a risk that a person suffering a mental health crisis may not receive the support they require.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
Suffolk Constabulary takes concerns regarding support for members of the public experiencing mental health crisis extremely seriously.
Suffolk Constabulary recognises there are areas for improvement and welcomes the IOPC recommendation.
The Constabulary is working closely with key stakeholders, both internally and externally, on a more robust pathway for referrals to ensure concerns are identified early and appropriate measures are put in place to support people in crisis.
This does require investment both in terms of training, financial support and appropriate resourcing and the Mental Health Co-ordinator is developing a business case which will support the police response to mental health crisis. This includes liaising with other Forces and Mental Health Teams to identify best practice for risk assessing both incidents and individuals, to support decision making for referrals.
There are some immediate changes which have been implemented to ensure staff are aware of access to mental health nurses in the Control Room and improve officer understanding of what is available.
Guidance has also been provided to staff in relation to information that can be shared with GP’s. The MH Co-ordinator continues to promote the routes for access mental health provision, providing inputs and training to staff.
There is still work to be progressed including:
Exploring options for additional MH nurses in the Control Room with partners to increase capacity, and
Increased training for MH Nurses to allow greater access to police systems
The PCC is sighted on this recommendation and will provided with regular updates in terms of progression.