Independent Office for Police Conduct

Today we publish our report on annual deaths during or following police contact in 2023/24. Commenting on this year’s figures, our Director General, Rachel Watson said:   “Every death is a tragic loss for the families and loved ones involved and can have a profound effect on others – it is right that each one is thoroughly investigated. Past figures show mental ill health to be a consistent factor among those who die in or following custody, but it features even more starkly this year, in 19 of the 24 deaths.   “Furthermore, in 48 of the 68 apparent suicides, and in just under half of the 60 other deaths we investigated, mental health was identified as a relevant factor. In 21 of the deaths in or following custody the deceased was known to have a link to alcohol and/or drugs. Restraint was used in 14 of the deaths in or following custody cases, although did not necessarily contribute to these deaths.   “Not all deaths where police have contact with an individual will be preventable. However, it is disappointing to see increases this year among deaths in or following custody, road traffic fatalities and post-custody apparent suicides. “We will continue to be fair and independent in our work investigating deaths during or following police contact. We are determined to play our part in holding police accountable where appropriate, while helping them learn from cases to help reduce these tragic deaths. It is important that any learning from investigations is acted on and fed into improvements to help policing practice.” Read our statistical news release: ▶️ https://rb.gy/di30qn Read the deaths during or following police contact statistical report: ▶️ https://rb.gy/5cnokz

Shwmae! Eisiau dysgu am ein gwasanaethau yn y #Gymraeg ? Heddiw rydyn ni’n dathlu diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae, digwyddiad sy’n ceisio dangos bod y Gymraeg yn perthyn i ni gyd – yn siaradwyr rhugl, dysgwyr neu’r rhai sy’n swil am eu Cymraeg. Mae’n hybu’r syniad o ddechrau pob sgwrs gyda shwmae, su’mae neu shwdi. Rydym yn cynnig ein gwasanaethau yn y Gymraeg, felly rydym yn falch y bydd ein rhwydwaith iaith Gymraeg yn dathlu Shwmae Su’mae i annog ein staff i ymarfer neu ddysgu’r Gymraeg gyda’n gilydd. #ShwmaeSumae24 Dysgwch fwy am gael mynediad at ein gwasanaethau yn Gymraeg: ▶️ https://rb.gy/vpwjxl   Shwmae! Keen to learn about our services in #Welsh?   Today we’re celebrating Shwmae Su’mae day, an event which aims to show that the Welsh language belongs to us all – fluent speakers, learners or those shy about their Welsh. It promotes the idea of starting every conversation with shwmae, su’mae or shwdi.   We offer our services in the Welsh language, so we are proud that our Welsh language network will be celebrating Shwmae Su’mae to encourage our staff to practice or learn the Welsh language together. #ShwmaeSumae24 Learn more about accessing our services in Welsh: ▶️ https://rb.gy/sxdn5s

Today we published issue 44 of our Learning the Lessons magazine. This issue focuses on police corruption – one of the most significant topics impacting public confidence in policing. In this issue, we unpack learning found in cases we have investigated, explore corruption threats facing the police service today, and reflect on areas of significant change - including the revised Code of Ethics and other national and local developments.  This issue explores:  📚 Eight case studies about police corruption   🚩 Abuse of position, computer misuse, social media and more  🗨️ National initiatives, local approaches, policy and culture, and opportunities for learning  💡 Insights from College of Policing, Crimestoppers Trust, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), National Crime Agency (NCA), Lancashire Police and more     Read Issue 44: ▶️ https://rb.gy/i9k1iz

To mark Black History Month (BHM), we’re embracing this year’s theme ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ to celebrate Black heritage and voices. Our Race, Religion and Belief staff network, and our Black history month working group will be arranging a series of awareness activities and events during this month to celebrate Black storytellers, historians, and custodians of our heritage.   This month we will share blogs, quotes and other resources each week with our staff, and we will be hosting staff events - the first of which will be a talk on ‘My Caribbean Journey’ by Martin Jay, Caribbean music specialist.   Our Director General, Rachel Watson says “As we launch Black History Month, we not only recognise and celebrate the history, culture and contributions of the Black community but we acknowledge the challenges and reaffirm our commitment to fairness and equity. Being inclusive remains at the core of what we do, and so we encourage everyone to take a moment to acknowledge the importance of this time for reflection and learning, and to engage with the events and resources relating to this month.”

Significant changes are needed to improve the police response to reports of stalking, an investigation into a police super-complaint has found.  Today we've published our joint investigation report with His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and College of Policing into a super-complaint made by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium. We’ve made 29 recommendations to ensure better support for victims. These include:   🔵 outlining steps chief constables should take now to improve the quality of stalking investigations  🔵 changing the criminal law on stalking  🔵 making stalking protection orders simpler and easier for the police to use   🔵 ensuring police and support services work more closely together to improve the service provided to victims. Stalking is a serious crime that can have a devastating impact on victims. Those affected need to have confidence to come forward, knowing they will be listened to and supported by those whose role it is to keep them safe.  We would like to thank all the victims and support services who shared their experiences. This report is a chance to make sure their voices are heard, and the issues they highlight are urgently addressed. Read more:  ▶️ https://rb.gy/h8bb9a 

What is a police super-complaint? In this post, we explore the super-complaints system. Tomorrow, we will publish a joint report with the Independent Office for Police Conduct and College of Policing in response to a super-complaint made by Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

Interested in receiving new issues of our Learning the Lessons magazine? Our next Learning the Lessons edition, Issue 44, will focus on police corruption. The issue will be released in early October 2024 and will feature: 📚 Eight case studies 🗨️ National anti-corruption initiatives, best practice, guidance and more 💡 Insights from, NPCC, College of Policing, Crimestoppers Trust, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), National Crime Agency (NCA), Lancashire Constabulary and more Join our mailing list now to receive the next magazine direct to your inbox. ▶️ Email Learning@policeconduct.gov.uk. Read our previous issues: ▶️ https://lnkd.in/ePpJ5FSg #anticorruption #corruption #policeconduct #police #policing #policecomplaints #policeofficers #policestaff

Hear our Acting Director of Operations, Amanda Rowe, speak about our ‘You have a voice’ campaign.      This campaign aims to raise awareness of the complaints system and help build trust and confidence among women or girl victims and survivors, and those who support them.     Learn more about our campaign:  ▶️ https://lnkd.in/eu7wdGRC 

Women and girls who have faced abuse are left with the trauma of their experience. They can also feel extremely let down if they do not have a good experience with police after reporting the issue. As a result, it can lead them to losing trust and confidence in policing. That’s why we have launched a new campaign to remind women and girls about their right to complain if they were made to feel dismissed, uncomfortable or unsafe by the police. Learn more about our campaign:  ▶️ https://lnkd.in/eu7wdGRC

In case you missed it, the latest issue of our Learning the Lessons magazine is out. This issue focuses on mental health – one of the most significant issues affecting policing in England and Wales. It explores: 📚 Eight case studies from incidents related to mental health and policing 🚨Frontline policing, contact management, custody and more 🗨️ National initiatives, Right Care, Right Person, local partnerships between police and mental health services, and opportunities for learning 💡 Insights from Mind Charity, NPCC, Rethink Oscar Kilo UK , Hampshire Police , City of London Police, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and College of Policing. Read Issue 43: ▶️ https://rb.gy/i9k1iz 🔜 The next issue of Learning the Lessons will be published in October 2024, and will focus on police corruption. Email learning@policeconduct.gov.uk to join our mailing list.