Page 27 - Top Cover Issue 8

TOP COVER ISSUE 8 27

POST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

those specific alterations. detailed list of ‘observations and actions’ an individual who did not perform an
to be undertaken by the Appointed operational or command role in the
CONFERRING Officer and I have no doubt that person incident. It would not be appropriate to
A slight amendment but nonetheless will be called to any future Coroner’s address the specific actions of individuals,
an important one. It made clear that Inquest or Court to explain the principal evidential issues relating to witness
‘there may, however, be a need to speak officer’s actions, conferring issues, accounts or scene, and Post Incident
to one another following the discharge provision of accounts and their decisions. Management during such a debrief.
of a police firearm in order to resolve an That is quite high profile and I would Any debrief should be conducted by:
ongoing operational or safety matter’. most definitely advise that they are a • an accredited PIM not involved with
The advice has always been that officers trained PIM. the Command or Operation of the
should not talk with others about their original incident; or
honestly held belief at the time force SEPARATION • a trained debriefer supported by
was used. I know from training delivery The separation section now provides a PIM.
across the UK that this is taken very that ‘principal officers and key police On a final and perhaps cynical note,
seriously and that a ‘conferring advice’ is witnesses should not be separated as a do I see the PIM issue settling down
given quite often at the beginning of an matter of routine’. Separation should now as a result of the successful Judicial
operation, on arrival at the PIM suite and be considered where it is both necessary Review at the end of last year? Can
before they provide accounts. and practicable and where there are no you see those pigs flying in the sky?
implications for the safety of the public Unfortunately I have got wind of a
APPOINTED OFFICER or officers. possible appeal against that ruling. All
In support of the integrity of the PIM It makes clear that a decision to we can do is stay resolute and focused on
process and specifically conferring issues separate officers should be made having what is a good PIM process and trust and
the innovation of a new role within the considered whether separation is hope that the legal brains of this country
PIM suite. The ‘Appointed Officer’ will necessary to prevent the ‘officers from support us.
have specific responsibility for: conferring’ (I and many would like that Well it has been good to be asked to
• explaining and ensuring compliance to read ‘inappropriate conferring’). In my write in the magazine again and update
with the guidance in the APP and, mind if there are reasonable grounds to you on the issues above. All the best to
in particular, with the guidance on suspect that a criminal offence has been you and your families during 2015 and
conferring; and committed or where there is evidence I look forward to seeing many of you at
• supervising the principal officers that an officer has breached the standards the PFOA Ball in July ■
while they make their personal initial of professional behaviour, then separation
accounts and detailed accounts. should be automatic for the benefit of
The APP guidance and ACPO circular the process, investigation and the officers
goes on to say that the Appointed themselves.
Officer should or will be (there is a The decision whether separation is
slight discrepancy in the two documents necessary should be made by the PIM or
currently): responsible ACPO officer.
• appointed by a senior officer or
ACPO; DEBRIEFING
• be of Inspector rank or above; I have no intention of going into this
• be a trained Post Incident Manager; subject too deeply (and I will not have
• has no operational or investigative role done my debrief course until just prior WRITTEN BY STEVE HOWSON,
in the incident; to the publication of this magazine). PFOA TRAINING LIMITED
• will operate under the direction of the Suffice to say that it has been recognised MANAGER
lead PIM; that the Police Service seems very rarely
• will not be independent from the to undertake debriefs following a fatal
police service; shooting incident or other Death or
• where access to the PIM suite is Serious Injury. In fact we can go many
requested by the Independent years without conducting debriefs and
Investigatory Authority or IIO such sometimes they just do not take place at
access should be provided; all. This is understandable due to possible
• this access should be managed so as legal action / redress against officers
not to adversely impact on the PIP or and Forces. However, organisations
welfare of principal officers; and may be losing out on the opportunity
• this access will not relate to medical to learn and put right certain issues
examinations or consultations with appertaining to Command structures
legal or staff associations. and tactical capability at an earlier stage.
Within the APP there is quite a These debriefs should be authorised by