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PIMs are content and find it easier to 2418+&+0) #%%17065 #22 ­ policing. As a result of that observation a
actually read this out to Principal Officers 61 small working group was set up to review
following their initial meet and greet. I I make this personal comment from and make recommendations on how the
must admit it doesn’t exactly roll off the the outset – “It would be a very sad day relevant sections in the manual could be
tongue and (according to some Principal for British policing if, following the fatal amended and be better used practically.
Officers I know) can come across as a bit shooting of a member of the public, we did T at working group consisted of the
of a formal warning. I prefer to simplify it not as a Police Service provide some form NPIA (College of Policing), National
in my own words. of account to support the Investigation.” I and Metropolitan Police Federation,
T ere is a degree of caution to be fully accept that there is always a proviso RJW (now Slater and Gordon) Lawyers,
considered around this issue which that this is subject to legal advice because Superintendent’s Association, the IPCC
I would urge all to be aware of. It is Principal Officers, whether we like it or and yours truly.
that period of time between the actual not, are vulnerable and may be subject to I know what you are thinking – how
shooting and the Principals returning to possible legal proceedings. I appreciate on earth did you get a decision out of that
the PIM suite. How did officers travel there has to be a balance but I believe the group? Well we did through appreciation
to the PIM suite, who were they with, PIM process can and does provide that of each other’s role, open mindedness,
what was said and about what? I believe relevant balance and protection. frankness and hard work. In fact it was
it is essential for Principal Officers to try So why did we need a new section in one of the best working groups I have sat
(and I am sure that is extremely difficult the Manual around providing accounts? on – well facilitated by Kevin Nicholson
immediately post-incident) to recall and Simply because the existing sections from the College of Policing, appropriate
record that fact at the earliest opportunity around ‘Initial Account’ was not explicit in numbers and all having a passion to get
(subject to legal advice) and for the PIM enough and therefore open to varied it right. Okay, I accept it is a little ‘wordy’
to advise them to do so at the PIM suite. It interpretations across the UK. To be fair but I suppose we could not expect much
is my information that Officers may leave to the IPCC, this was picked up by one else when we were dealing with such an
themselves vulnerable and open to later of their leading Senior Investigators, and important issue following any police
unprepared scrutiny on this issue in later highlighted in an entirely appropriate way shooting. T ose stages are:
proceedings. Forearmed is forewarned! via the ACPO working group on armed

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Let me then talk you through those medical advice – an important protection rare event, a Principal Officer is suspected
four stages but first of all make it clear that factor for the ‘Principal Officer’. If a of a criminal or misconduct offence, then
not each stage has to be completed or will Principal Officer is unfit to make a obviously stages 3 and 4 will not apply.
be completed in every incident. Stages 2, personal initial account then stage three is
3 and 4 will always be subject to legal or unlikely to take place and if, in the very

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Pretty simple and non-contentious I this will lay heavily with the Operational or sit reps coming from the scene. We need
would suggest? However, some thought Firearms Commander / Team Leader at to be careful here. One short, concise and
and appropriate training should be the scene of any incident. I have heard of factual sit rep is the order of the day as
provided to those whose responsibility it occasions where, allegedly there have been opposed to disjointed, long winded and
may be to give that sit rep. I would suggest four or five different versions of ‘accounts’ differing versions.