Don’t dismiss Post-Incident Procedures, officers warned

ONE of the first courses I attended as a Fed Rep was a Post-Incident Procedure course, writes Laura Heggie.

A Post-Incident Procedure (PIP) in the most basic terms is something that’s implemented following a death or serious injury as a result of police contact.

It should be implemented as soon as possible after the incident. It’s also something that most officers dismiss as they think it’s never going to happen to them.

The reality is you’re just as likely as the next person.

It is really important that supervisors and managers identify when a PIP should be requested, as you are the people on the ground and look after your staff on a daily basis.

When these incidents occur, they should be fully investigated to ensure that we did everything to the best of our ability. If we are found wanting as an individual or organisation, we need to learn from them.

How Is A PIP Used?
A PIP is put in place to help facilitate an Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation, to ensure that the welfare needs of an officer are picked up at an early stage – but most importantly to protect the officers who are involved while their accounts are obtained.

A PIP is run by the Post-Incident Manager (PIM). Also in attendance are the Professional Standards Department, the IPCC, the Federation and our lawyers.

Reps and our lawyers speak to all officers concerned before any accounts should be given. Both the reps and the lawyers are trained to the same standard as the PIM. Because we are a small, experienced group, we can call on our operational experience in this field. For this reason not every Fed rep is PIP trained.

During the time immediately following the actions which may lead to a PIP being called you are vulnerable if you rush to provide a statement.

This is a statement that in the cold light of day, the IPCC will read through and pick out all the discrepancies.

If they then find neglect on your part, that could result in a criminal offence. You could be looking at not only losing your job, but your house, your family and your liberty… for what was just ‘doing your job’.

Please stop and think before providing a statement when somebody has been killed or seriously hurt.

The Federation is always just a phone call away, 24/7. Our on-call number is available from Oscar 1, and we are here to help you and the organisation provide as professional and accurate an account as we can.

See more in our annual report: http://essexfedfocus.co.uk/?p=3496