Recommendations - West Yorkshire Police, February 2021
In January 2017, officers from West Yorkshire Police’s Armed Crime Tactical Team together with officers from Protective Services Crime were deployed on armed surveillance as part of an ongoing threat-to-life investigation. An armed stop was carried out on two vehicles on a slip road off the M62. Each vehicle contained two people. The officers perceived a lethal threat from the front-seat passenger of one of the cars and three police shots were fired. Despite medical attention, one passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.
IOPC reference
Recommendations
The IOPC recommends that West Yorkshire Police (WYP) takes steps to review its use of the Central Logging of Intelligence Operations (CLIO) in Armed Policing Operations ensuring that command decisions are recorded by all relevant officers in compliance with national guidance and, wherever possible, using IT based applications to ensure the integrity of such records. West Yorkshire Police should also ensure that future developments in related national guidance and associated IT capabilities are considered and where appropriate introduced in a timely and structured way, with all relevant commanders and supporting functions appropriately trained and equipped.
This follows a case where, as part of a wider investigation, it was identified that Tactical Firearms Commanders in WYP do not use CLIO in a consistent way to record the date and time that intelligence is received by them.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
WYP has undertaken a review of the use of CLIO in firearms operations. CLIO is used by all Specialist Tactical Firearms Commanders when dealing with Serious Organised Crime, Regional Organised Crime, or Threats to Life incidents. Commanders are aware of their obligations to ensure that entries are put on CLIO as soon as practicable to date stamp decision making. When Commanders are dealing with dynamic, high threat, fast paced operations, threat management often has to take priority. However, best practice is that Commanders record their decision as soon as reasonably possible.
WYP will undertake a review of the recording of decision making by Commanders in firearms operations. Commanders will be reminded of their responsibilities in relation to recording their decision making accurately and as soon as reasonably practicable. This will be assisted with the investment of new software which now ensures that all radio channels are recorded in a firearms operation.
The IOPC recommends that West Yorkshire Police (WYP) conducts a review of its scene management policies, procedures and training and where necessary make changes to ensure that where paper records are maintained those records are retained for production when required in accordance with current legislation.
This follows a case where WYP maintained a documentary scene log and when this log was requested for review, WYP were not able to produce or account for it.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
A new scene log process has been introduced and communicated to all officers.
The new scene management document consists of a guidance booklet outlining actions required by officers at scenes in addition to the scene log itself. Key actions include Body Worn Video recorded verbal hand-overs and a scene sketch with a common approach path and guard points identified which must be checked and signed by a supervisor.
It is recommended that West Yorkshire Police (WYP) review their system for recording all radio transmissions in relation to authorised firearms deployments to ensure the actions and decisions of the Tactical Firearms Commander, Senior Investigating Officer, Authorised Firearms Officers and other personnel deployed on such operations is recorded and can be produced into evidence accordingly.
This follows a case where during an investigation that followed the deployment of armed officers it was established that not all radio communications were recorded due to system capability.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
Ambient audio recording was installed in the Force Command Hub in February 2021. It consists of a microphone within the room controlled by a key switch on the wall controlled by the Force Duty Officer but with clear instructions as to the importance of recording and in fact they have been advised to keep this on permanently.
When audio is recorded, an LED is lit on both the key switch plate and the remote LED outside the door. When it is turned off, there is no indication light.
This traffic is recorded onto our Milestone system, very similar to all the Airwaves channels and has a 90 day retention period. (This can retained longer if needs be.) The relevant talk groups and channels have been identified and are constantly recorded.