Page 24 - Top Cover Issue 6

24 TOP COVER ISSUE 6

accepted that media scrutiny is expected last point supports our own proposed force and, on rare occasions, they are
as part of the job. The levels of scrutiny changes to the procedure, already in place going to do so (the most recent figures
cause stress and affect the way in which in the MPS, where an ‘Appointed Officer’ reveal that shots are discharged in 0.027%
they do their jobs. is present to observe the process and to of armed deployments). When death or
The officers felt well supported by their ensure that no inappropriate conferring serious injury occurs there must be an
team and respected by colleagues. They takes place. open, timely, thorough and independent
feel supported by line management On the IPCC proposals the majority of investigation - this is in the interests of
but this diminishes the further up the respondents do not have confidence the family, the public, the officers and the
organisation you go with only 1 in 5 in the proposed changes and over half police service. But this investigation must
feeling supported by their organisation. stated that if the changes are made they be fair and, even more importantly, it
On the current post incident procedures would think seriously about their future in must have the best chance of establishing
the majority have no direct experience of the firearms command. and revealing the truth. The guidance on
a post incident procedure. The majority The officers expressed concerns about the post incident procedures must be geared
agreed with the guidance on conferring IPCC proposals, feeling that it would not towards achieving best evidence and
in relation to their own thoughts and assist them to provide best evidence and fairness and that is why we will continue
feelings and justification to use force. would cause them additional stress with to refine it based upon expert advice and
However, on the broader issues, officers separation having a negative effect on research. In the meantime, taking account
feel that conferring helps them to their ability to cope. They were concerned of the feedback we have had from the
remember extra details and makes them that they are not trusted to talk to each firearms officers themselves, we will make
more confident in their statement. One other and the proposals would make them our preparations for the Judicial Review
officer said, “The police need to explain feel as though they are being blamed. and response to the IPCC consultation.
the process more clearly. There is nothing The majority believe that the proposals Above all remember they are volunteers
wrong with what we do now. We allow would make them feel like suspects and and if they perceive that the IPCC are on a
others to deliberately misinterpret and to an extent would take away their rights. witch hunt, as opposed to a search for the
twist ‘conferring’ into a conspiracy. We Half expressed a view that suspects have truth, they will simply stop volunteering
need to explain why we do it”. more rights under PACE than officers and I dread to think where that will leave
The majority of respondents agreed that in this situation. The majority felt that us.
48 hours is about the right time between the changes would make the firearms
an officer’s initial account and their formal command less attractive to new officers,
statement, but the survey revealed that in particular this related to the proposals
this differs from individual to individual. on separation. One officer said, “Are police
Less than half of respondents felt that firearms officers suspected of routine
the current procedure is fair, despite this dishonesty? If not, why are there proposals
only 10% felt that the procedure should to introduce systems and procedures that WRITTEN BY DCC Simon Chesterman
change. One officer suggested “...either are not applicable to any member of the
recording (or witnessing by a senior or public who is being investigated?”
independent observer) of the process Police firearms officers are volunteers who
to give confidence and transparency of put themselves in harms way to protect
the process (including conferring)”. This the public. They are trained to use lethal