Investigation into conduct of PSCO when responding to a report of unconscious member of public - Leicestershire Police, December 2021

A Leicestershire Police Community Support Officer (PSCO) was approached outside a police station by a member of the public requesting police assistance for his friend. The friend told the PCSO that he was unable to rouse his friend, who was in a nearby alleyway.

On arrival, the PCSO saw a man on the floor and contacted Leicestershire Police control room via his radio to request an ambulance. He was asked by the control room to contact East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) directly, which he did and he was advised by EMAS to commence CPR.

The PSCO did not commence CPR, citing his reasons for not doing so in a statement to Leicestershire Police. 

During the investigation, investigators interviewed the PCSO, obtained statements from several witnesses and conducted house to house enquiries.

Our investigation concluded in December 2022.

We concluded an officer had a case to answer for misconduct. The evidence obtained by our investigation indicated that the PCSO did not conduct an assessment of the incident in line with the National Decision Making model.

The misconduct meeting took place in June 2023, where misconduct was proven. The sanction was a final written warning for 12 months.

The professional standards engaged were Honesty & Integrity, Authority, Respect & Courtesy and Work and Responsibilities.

A record of inquest indicated the man died from acute alcohol toxicity.

We carefully considered whether there were any learning opportunities arising from the investigation. We make learning recommendations to improve policing and public confidence in the police complaints system and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. 

In this case, the investigation has not identified any learning.