BY GAVIN MACKINTOSH
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has highlighted disappointing failings in police custody suite policies in Hertfordshire Police stations, following an investigation into how a woman succeeded in taking concealed tablets three times while under arrest in Stevenage.
Other failings highlighted include the failure of the police to search the detainees, a failure in telling the custody sergeant they had taken anything, allowing the detainees to remain together in the custody suite, and attending to their personal mobile phones when they should have been supervising the detainees.
The IPCC recommended that Hertfordshire Police needed clearer guidelines for officers relating to who is allowed to be in the custody suite, and for making officers and staff better aware of their roles and responsibilities once a detainee is brought to the custody suite.
SHOP LIFTING
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The woman and two men were arrested for shoplifting in January 2015.
During the arrest the woman took what she described as medication.
She was then escorted to custody at Stevenage police station where she again evaded the attention of officers and took another tablet, and also discreetly passed one to one of the male detainees. She was then subsequently placed in a holding area and while unsupervised took a further tablet.
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After being placed in a cell, she became unwell and was taken to hospital where she recovered and was subsequently taken back into custody.
The investigation concluded that two officers had a case to answer for misconduct for allowing the detainees to take tablets following their arrest.
The strange thing about this story is the fact that police officers are usually known for being heavy handed as opposed to displaying the sort of alarming negligence seen here. It is difficult to imagine any motive for the police officers in doing this deliberately, except one takes a very cynical view in believing they may have wanted to see the detainees overdose.
NEGLIGENCE/MISCONDUCT
The IPCC delivered a verdict of misconduct proven on the face of the facts, though negligence would seem to be the more fitting liability here. Quite arguably, negligence can be viewed as a misconduct in itself though the latter is generally perceived to be a deliberate or reckless abuse of conduct.
Hertfordshire Police were warned to in future make clear to all officers when it is not appropriate to use their personal mobile phones on duty.
DELAY
The IPCC was also critical of the force’s delay in referring the incident. This aspect is unsurprising because it is typical of many organizations to be slow to refer themselves to a higher independent body for scrutiny. This doesn’t make it any less acceptable and other forces will be pressed to take heed from this incidence and avoid a recurrence of such delay in making necessary referrals.
IPCC associate commissioner Guido Liguori said: “While in this instance the woman made a full recovery, similar failings could potentially lead to more tragic consequences.
“Officers and staff need to be vigilant when arresting suspects, and conduct timely searches to ensure illicit medication or drugs are not able to be consumed after arrest or in custody.
“I have also asked the College of Policing to consider national guidance about roles and responsibilities of officers and staff while detainees are in holding areas of a custody suite.”
A spokesman for Hertfordshire police said: “Hertfordshire Constabulary accepts the recommendations contained within the report and will be implementing them fully. Revised guidance will be issued to staff to reinforce the recommendations.”
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