Police experts | West Yorkshire Police has improved its detention service, but concerns about use of force remain, report finds

West Yorkshire Police has improved its detention service, but concerns about use of force remain, report finds

West Yorkshire Police has been making improvements to its detention services, but a report found there were concerns about the “frequent use of PAVA”.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Police, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found the force had “clear governance arrangements” in place around the provision of care, but in some areas There has been limited progress since the last inspection.

The inspector general found that several concerns raised during the military’s previous inspection were “not adequately addressed, particularly regarding the use of force.”

HMICFRS and CQC say there are two main reasons for concern.

• Forces do not make sufficient use of performance information to ensure positive outcomes for detainees.and
• Governance and oversight of the use of force in custody was inadequate, and case quality assurance did not provide effective scrutiny.

His Majesty’s Chief Constable Michel Skeer said: ‘Everyone in custody should be treated fairly and protected from harm.

“West Yorkshire Police has a clear governance structure in place around our detention services. Frontline officers have a good understanding of what can make people vulnerable and the force Detainees work well with mental health services to support them. Detention staff treat detainees with courtesy and respect.

“However, progress has been limited in some areas and two areas of concern remain. These include governance and monitoring of use of force in custody, and the use of data to improve detention services. , but some key areas of detention are not monitored.

“We will continue to work closely with West Yorkshire Police and monitor their progress on our new recommendations.”

The inspector general said data on use-of-force incidents was not accurate enough.

“This is because they are not properly recorded in detention records or use of force records. There are some reviews of use of force, but limited reviews of CCTV incidents,” they said.

“We are concerned about the frequent use of neutralizing sprays (PAVA) in confined spaces such as cells and cell corridors.

“Police cannot guarantee themselves or the public that force or restraint is necessary, justified and appropriate when it is used in custody. This is a cause for concern.”

HMICFRS and CQC said quality assurance of incidents did not provide effective scrutiny

“Our review of CCTV and detention records revealed that use of force incidents were not properly managed or accurately recorded.

“Detention officers sometimes become involved in incidents rather than supervising them. And detention officers do not always complete the use of force.”

HMICFRS and CQC recommended that “forces should immediately review their use of force and custodial restraint to determine whether it is necessary, justified and appropriate.”

“This scrutiny should be based on accurate information and robust quality assurance. Detention staff should have appropriate oversight of all use-of-force incidents,” they said.

Another area of ​​concern was that West Yorkshire Police was not making sufficient use of performance information to ensure positive outcomes for detainees.

“Police are unable to demonstrate how they are using data to improve their detention services and some key detention areas are not monitored. Since the last inspection, some areas have Not sufficiently improved,” HMICFRS and CQC said.

The inspector general stated that there were limitations to the unit’s performance management for the following reasons:

• Insufficient documentation in storage records and use of generic drop-down menus. This means that some information is inaccurate or not recorded properly.
• For example, they did not record some important information, such as how long it would take before a suitable adult was taken into custody, or how long it would take a detainee to wait for a mental health evaluation. .
• Not using available information to identify areas of concern and understand or improve how detention services impact outcomes for detainees. For example, why voluntary attendance is decreasing, or how long immigration detainees wait before being transferred to detention officers.and
• There are inadequate quality assurance arrangements to review detention records, assess how well the military is delivering services, and identify areas for improvement.

HMICFRS and CQC recommended that within three months the force establish a “comprehensive governance structure” to manage its detention performance and identify areas for improvement, overseen by senior officers. You should also identify your concerns and how to address them.

To support this, forces must utilize comprehensive performance management and quality assurance to ensure they achieve the right outcomes for detainees.

Deputy Chief Constable Pat Twiggs, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “We recognize the need to record information thoroughly and accurately and use this to inform appropriate interventions and outcomes across the criminal justice spectrum.” said.

He said the force was “committed to working with our detention teams to strengthen our processes around recording information, particularly when a use of force has taken place, and we believe we can make improvements in these areas.” added.

Deputy Mayor for Police and Crime Alison Rowe said she and the Mayor will establish a new dedicated independent custody review committee, which will regularly monitor the response to recommendations and wider performance within custody. Stated.