Our Director of Operational Standards, Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding, responds to the Baird Inquiry report findings
Baird Inquiry report published
Published on
News
4 mins read
Every person who comes into contact with the police must be treated with dignity and respect. This is the foundation upon which trust and confidence is built and without this, we cannot effectively serve the public.
Dame Vera’s report makes for difficult, but necessary reading. Today, Greater Manchester Police has apologised to those given a voice by the inquiry, who did not receive the care and consideration they were entitled to and the force has committed to implementing the recommendations in full.
I understand that the contents of this report will cause further concern regarding the treatment of women and girls. I want to reassure all women and girls that your safety, trust and confidence remains a priority for the College of Policing, across all of our work.
Dame Vera recognises the importance of the College of Policing’s guidance being implemented by all forces. Our guidance sets out important considerations to help determine if an arrest is necessary and how to care for those in custody, including those who are vulnerable and those with complex needs.
Custody is one of the most complex and high-risk areas of policing. In order to support officers and staff we have invested in new immersive training which puts them in a live custody environment with real life scenarios, dilemmas and decisions that affect the safety and wellbeing of detainees.
We have already been working with Greater Manchester Police as they have sought to quickly learn lessons and improve their policies and practices. We’re also supporting forces across England and Wales to strengthen their custody practices, so that every single person who comes into police custody is treated with respect and empathy.
I am thankful to Dame Vera Baird for her thorough inquiry. We will now work across policing to respond to the findings and recommendations in her report.
College of Policing Director of Operational Standards, Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding
Guidance on custody for officers and staff
We constantly review our authorised professional practice (APP) to provide up-to-date support for individuals working in custody. The updates focus on an emphasis for fair treatment.
Recent APP changes
Control, restraint and searches guidance has been updated. Officers and staff should carry out searches with respect and dignity. They should do so in an area where the detainee can neither be seen by anyone who does not need to be present, nor by a member of the opposite sex.
Every officer or member of custody staff who is required to monitor detainees under constant observation (Level 3) or conduct close proximity supervision (Level 4) must be fully briefed by the custody officer with regards their role, the needs of the detainee, and the risks presented by the detained person.
- Custody management and planning – linking to the National Police Chiefs' Council's National Strategy for Police Custody and the Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine’sThe role of the healthcare professional.
- Linking to guidance on Preventing Deaths in custody by the The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC).
Our domestic abuse (DA) curriculum and DA Matters identify the primary aggressor in DA cases and seek to prevent dual arrests. DA Matters focus on the offence of coercive and controlling behaviour, and also victim vulnerability (how they might respond as a result of the behaviour perpetrated against them).
Further guidance for custody officers
