Recommendation - Sussex Police, June 2022
We identified organisational learning from a death or serious report relating to Sussex police responding to a welfare concern.
IOPC reference
Recommendations
The IOPC recommends that Sussex Police review and amend their training for control room staff to ensure that it involves mental health episodes and that this reflects the full content of the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP).
This follows an IOPC DSI review whereby a man called Sussex Police repeatedly after reporting to them that he had been cutting himself with a piece of glass. Sussex Police initially requested an ambulance as they determined the Ambulance Service to be the lead agency to deal with such matters however, the decision resulted in the Ambulance Service calling for urgent police assistance following threatening physical and verbal behaviour from the man.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
- Rotational training has been revised and includes input from Mental Health Portfolio lead. Training includes APP guidance on welfare calls. This is currently on going as part of 10 week cycle and already commenced
- Policy updated to reflect guidance and APP updates now embedded within this
- Blue Light Collaboration group (attendees SECAMB, ESFR, WSFR, Surrey FRS, Coastguard) ,meets Quarterly . Standing agenda item agreed for Organisational Learning and focus on MH or welfare calls. Initial meeting including Sussex MH Portfolio lead (Andre Gordon) around op Northwood and “most appropriate agency” policy and shared understanding of roles and responsibilities – APP Guidance highlighted
- Calls for concern being further managed as art of Internal Demand management group to review effectiveness and compliance