Joshua Hamill

HEDDLU GOGLEDD CYMRU NORTH WA! ES POLICE
Goglecde Cymru diogelach A safer Narth Wa'e

Ein Cyf:/Our Ref: DCCISF 30" January 2018

Gareth Pritchard QPM MA

Dirpwy Brif Gwnstabl / Deputy Chief Constable
Mr Gittins
Senior Coroner for North Wales (East and Central)
Coroner's Office
County Hall
Wynnstay Road
Ruthin
LL15 1YN

Dear Sir,

Inquest Touching the death of Joshua Hamill — date of death 5" June 2016

Thank you for your Regulation 28 Report dated 5" December 2017. | note that you raised two
matters of concern:

1. That the current training afforded to police officers in North Wales was ineffective in
ensuring that they were able to accurately identify mental health issues in persons they
were attending.

2. That when an event was opened as a “Concern for Safety” it was closed down as a
domestic incident without there being a recorded resolution as to safety and welfare of the
person originally at risk of harm.

Mr Candlish, Joshua’s grandfather, also raised some concerns, and | have included the
responses to these, for the sake of completeness, to ensure that you have full visibility of all the
issues and responses.

| will respond to the matters raised below.

1. Training

During April 2015 the “Vulnerable Person” package was introduced by the College of Policing,
National Taser Course that all Taser officers have to complete. This package dealt with
identifying and dealing with persons suffering mental health issues. This was implemented
straight away by North Wales Police in both the initial and refresher training.

ve FEE Ce UK as ccmummnmnmanen 1s police.uk
Swyddfa’r Dirpwy Brif Gwnstabl Deputy Chief Constable's Office
Pencadlys yr Heddlu, Glan-y-Don, Police Headquarters, Glan-y-Don,
Bae Colwyn LL29 8AW Coiwyn Bay LL29 8AW

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn y Gymraeg a'r Saesneg - byddwn yn ymateb yn gyfartal i'r ddau ac yn ateb yn eich dewis iaith heb oedi.
We welcome correspondence in Welsh and English - we will respond equally to both and will reply in your language of choice without delay.

During early 2016 North Wales Police Training Department reviewed the Taser training
package, to ensure that it remained fit for purpose, although there had been no change to the
package from College of Policing.

The full College of Policing Package was retained as mandated but the Training Department
added to it and developed a scenario to test the skills and knowledge of the Taser officers.

Once the package was in place North Wales Police arranged for the mental health team from
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) to attend a Taser training course where this
package and the scenario were delivered. The team attended on 27th May 2016 for the whole
day. They provided feedback on the course which was positive, confirming North Wales were
giving the correct advice to officers. They were also able to offer further advice which is now
included in the training. This package continues to be delivered on all Taser courses. There are
currently 250 Taser trained officers in North Wales, all of whom will have had this package at
least once but in some cases three times. This is auditable through the changes made to lesson
plans and officer training records.

During August 2016 the Acute Behavioural Disorder (ABD) package developed by the College
of Policing was introduced to the classroom session of personal safety training. Although
dealing primarily with persons suffering from ABD, it followed the same principles for dealing
with persons suffering mental health problems. All officers in North Wales Police are required to
undergo personal safety training; therefore every officer will receive this package. This package
is still being delivered and some officers have now received it more than once. This is auditable
through changes made to lesson plans and officer training records.

An early intervention training package was developed in force and delivered between November
2016 and July 2017. This package addressed concerns around dealing with vulnerable persons
including those with mental health issues. As part of this package officers were provided with
details of external partners that persons they were dealing could be signposted to. Although this
package does not continue to be delivered as a stand- alone it does continue to be delivered as
part of the vulnerability course. This is auditable through officer training records.

A mental health training package was developed by the Training Department and delivered as a
webinar package. This detailed different types of mental health issues, places of safety,
support/advice contacts, suicide, self-harm and learning disabilities. Due to the way in which it
was delivered it is not auditable. | can confirm that this was delivered on 10 occasions between
10" May 2017 and 16" August 2017 but | cannot identify which officers received the input. |
trust that this information assists in demonstrating that the training provided in relation to mental
health issues has developed since the death of Joshua Hamill on 5" June 2016.

The Inquest highlighted that although police officers receive training on their powers to detain
people under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983, there should be more training to assist
officers in responding to the needs of people they encounter who may be experiencing a mental
health condition, but do not fulfil the criteria for lawful detention under section 136 of the Mental
Health Act 1983 or the necessity criteria for arrest as set out in Section 110 of the Serious

Swyddfa'r Dirpwy Brif Gwnstab! Deputy Chief Constable's Office

Pencadlys yr Heddlu, Glan-y-Don, Police Headquarters, Glan-y-Don,
Bae Colwyn LL29 SAW Colwyn Bay LL29 8AW

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn y Gymraeg a'r Saesneg - byddwn yn ymateb yn gyfartal i'r ddau ac yn ateb yn eich dewis iaith heb oedi.
We welcome correspondence in Weish and English - we will respond equally to both and will reply in your language of choice without delay.

Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. This scenario leaves officers with a vulnerable person
when they have no police powers to assist.

The Training Department are currently developing a mental health training package. Other
Forces have been contacted in relation to their mental health training. The Training Department
will be following this up through roles on the national working groups for personal safety training
and Taser training as they bring trainers into contact with all forces. This will provide a definitive
idea of what other forces are already doing and assist in developing best practice.

The training department will also contact the BCUHB mental health team to seek an input from
them for Force trainers to identify any areas where we could improve delivery.

The following actions will be taken to improve both the content and the accessibility of the
mental health training.

1. All the above packages to be made available on the force intranet. This can be implemented
immediately.

2. All the signposting details from the early intervention package to be made available on the
force intranet. This can be implemented immediately.

3. A “Need To Know’ detailing 1 and 2. “ Need to Know” is a weekly update delivered to all staff
via e-mail. It is a one page document highlighting issues that staff need to be aware of. It
highlights sources of additional information and is stored on the Force Intranet so it is readily
accessible. This will be implemented imminently.

4. A “Need To Know’ detailing the signposting details only. This will be implemented imminently.

5. The College of Policing vulnerable person Taser package be adapted and extended into
personal safety training. All officers will receive the package. This also ensures the training is
auditable. This will be ready in the near future.

6. The webinar package will be adapted and delivered as a classroom package. This will take
time to develop and implement but officers attendance can be audited. Whilst this is still being
developed it should be available to go live post April 2018.

7. There is an extensive Authorised Professional Practice (APP) package on mental health that
would benefit officers. Officers will be directed to this but it is not auditable.

2. Closure of Incident

| can confirm following process changes on 20" February 2017, North Wales Police now
assesses incidents comprehensively, using an established and structured process to ensure
that an appropriate response is always provided.

All incidents reported to the Force Control Room are assessed in line with the principles of
THRIVE and graded as per the Force Communications Centre (FCC) Graded Response and
Resourcing Deployment Protocol. The THRIVE principles guide call handlers through the

Swyddfa'r Dirpwy Brif Gwnstabl Deputy Chief Constable's Office
Pencadlys yr Heddiu, Glan-y-Don, Police Headquarters, Glan-y-Don,
Bae Colwyn LL29 8AW Colwyn Bay LL29 8AW

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn y Gymraeg a'r Saesneg - byddwn yn ymateb yn gyfartal i'r ddau ac yn ateb yn eich dewis iaith heb oedi.
We welcome correspondence in Welsh and English - we will respond equally to both and will reply in your language of choice without delay.

vulnerability process, assisting them to identify, grade and acknowledge the appropriate
deployment in relation to any risk/threat/harm. In making a T.H.R.1.V.E. assessment the call
handler will consider the Threat, Harm, Risk, Investigation, Vulnerability and Engagement
associated with the incident.

The CRE (Customer Rules Engine) system assists with vulnerability/risk in relation to early
identification of repeat calls which, together with THRIVE assists in utilising the National
Decision Making Model (NDM) as a rationale for deployment.

The NDM has six key elements. Each component provides the user with an area for focus and
consideration. The element that binds the model together is the Code of Ethics at the centre.

In addition to the Code of Ethics, the five key elements are:

Gather information and intelligence

Assess threat and risk and develop a working strategy
Consider powers and policy

Identify options and contingency.

. Take action and review what happened

ARONA

The NDM requires users to constantly evaluate their decisions using the model as new
information becomes available or the situation develops.

North Wales Police also amended our THRIVE CRE process on 20" February 2017 to ensure
that in the event of a change of event type or change of event grading, a clear rationale for
change and any change in threat, risk, harm and vulnerability must be documented by the

communications operator within the body of the command log.
In addition, since 1S' March 2017, supervisors now review every event prior to closure to ensure
any threat, risk or vulnerability is appropriately managed.

3. The Concerns raised by Mr Candlish
1. Mental Health Training
a. Needs to be effective and useable, meaningful and understood at a behavioural level

All courses referred to as having being delivered by North Wales Police. Most of them are also
on sharepoint. These packages were all designed by College of Policing with mental health
professionals. The local health board mental health team quality assures the package as well.

b. Easily accessible and memorable

The mental health inputs are delivered on Taser, personal safety and vulnerability courses.
They are available on the training department sharepoint for all officers to access.

Swyddfa'r Dirpwy Brif Gwnstab! Deputy Chief Constable’s Office
Pencadlys yr Heddlu, Glan-y-Don, Police Headquarters, Glan-y-Don,
Bae Colwyn LL29 8AW Calwyn Bay LL29 8AW

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn y Gymraeg a'r Saesneg - byddwn yn ymateb yn gyfartal i'r ddau ac yn ateb yn eich dewis iaith heb oedi.
We welcome correspondence in Welsh and English - we will respond equally to both and will reply in your language of choice without delay.

c. Proportional to the risk of mental health and suicide

The nationally approved training has been enhanced and reviewed by the local health board.
Training in relation to mental health is delivered both as a standalone input and as part of other
training.

d. Best practice for police and across other services and industries

The North Wales Police training department are liaising with other forces and the local health
board to improve the training.

e. [ts more than just Section 136 decision making

The training is more than section 136 decision making. It gives officers details of other agencies
they can direct people to. It gives details of signs and symptoms to look out for. It also provides
details of how to deal and communicate with people suffering MH episodes.

f. Takes account of the relevant APP’s including the Mental Illness and Vulnerability

The current and future training are based on College of Policing products and will always
contain the Authorised Professional Practice as a minimum. The training will be developed into
an enhanced product but will always contain the APP.

g. To cover effective information gathering and how to ask or find out the right and appropriate
information

This forms part of effective communication which is specifically covered in the training
packages.

h, Effective communication
This is specifically covered in the training packages.

i. Ensure a working strategy is developed implemented and followed through allowing for rapidly
changing situations

All officers have a yearly input on the National Decision Making Model. Taser officers have it
twice yearly.

j. Not to jump to conclusions when mentally vulnerable people are involved
It is anticipated that the training will address this issue.

2. Make information available locally in NWP regions about mental health support, engaging
with other service (ie NHS, Samaritans, local support & Charities) to make information available
by officers to help vulnerable people who may need to know where to go or who to contact for
mental health support. We understood that the officers did not know what was available.

The power points, Mental Health Input 1+2 are already available for all officers on sharepoint.
The Early Intervention PowerPoint and all the signposting documents from that course are

Swyddfa'r Dirpwy Brif Gwnstabl Deputy Chief Constable's Office
Pencadlys yr Heddlu, Glan-y-Don, Police Headquarters, Glan-y-Don,
Bae Colwyn LL29 8AW Colwyn Bay LL29 8AW

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn y Gymraeg a'r Saesneg - byddwn yn ymateb yn gyfartal i'r ddau ac yn ateb yn eich dewis iaith heb oedi.
We welcome correspondence in Welsh and English - we will respond equally to both and will reply in your language of choice without delay.

going onto the same sharepoint. This can be followed up with a “need to know’ to direct officers
to it.

3. Make information quickly accessible or available across police regions. Consider the use of
control room to control room contact (Phone calls?) to check on vulnerable people who are out
of their normal region. Information held locally is vital when dealing with someone out of region.
Review current process of the request form and change to a fast, useable system. (I was not
sure how the PND was used or whether the officers had training or access to this).

The ability to access information on the local intelligence systems of other forces is a challenge
especially outside office hours. The need to consider whether it is necessary to telephone a
neighbouring force for their local intelligence will be covered in the training. An immediate
response may not be justified or possible depending on the circumstances, available resources
and demand.

The Police National Database (PND) ts a national data store of operational policing information
and intelligence provided by individual forces. It contains copies of locally held police records
covering Intelligence, Crime, Custody and Child / Domestic Abuse Investigations. Access to
PND is restricted to licensed, accredited, trained staff. It is possible for an officer to complete a
form and submit a request to the North Wales Police intelligence department which is staffed 24
hours a day. This would have to justify the reason for the search and the urgency. An immediate
response would be available if there was an immediate threat to life but a slower response
would be provided in other cases.

4, Review best practice across the country to use in mental health issues. Review the mind
report —- Police and Mental Health How to get it right locally and best practice suggestions.
Follow up on the practice in Northampton described by the Northampton NHS. Look at other
industries and services to establish best practice to be implemented by NWP. (See also the
North Yorkshire training at end of letter).

The North Wales Police training department is liaising with all other forces to share best practice
in developing mental health training.

5. Coordination between multiple police attendance at an incident. Information sharing between
police officers, especially to concur on close out of each incident.

This is a challenge when numerous officers attend a spontaneous incident but the
developments identified in the section relating to incident closure should improve the matter. All
officers will also receive an input on this which will be incorporated into the Personal Safety
Training.

6. Identify clearly which police officer is in charge and will close out each incident. Coordination
from the control room between multiple parties especially when they become separated whilst
still dealing with one or more connected incidents. Clarity about who is in charge in the control
room.

Swyddfa'r Dirpwy Brif Gwnstabl Deputy Chief Constable's Office
Pencadlys yr Heddlu, Glan-y-Don, Police Headquarters, Glan-y-Don,
Bae Colwyn LL29 BAW Colwyn Bay LL29 BAW

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn y Gymraeg ar Saesneg - byddwn yn ymateb yn gyfartal i'r ddau ac yn ateb yn eich dewis jaith heb oedi.
We welcome correspondence in Welsh and English - we will respond equally to both and will reply in your language of choice without delay.

4

This is a challenge when numerous officers attend a spontaneous incident. All officers will also
receive an input on this which will be incorporated into the Personal Safety Training.

7. If CCTV is used to follow up, ensure that correct instructions are given to the operator and
any flags are properly raised and feed back to the officers or control room - especially if officers
go off shift. CCTV monitoring should be continued until the incident is properly closed out.

The instructions will develop with training. The CCTV is monitored 24 hours a day and
comprises 119 colour cameras which have pan, tilt and zoom capabilities. On the 5" June 2016
the CCTV operator either did not observe Joshua entering the grounds of Flint Castle or did not
appreciate its significance.

8. When multiple incidents are identified ensure that each one is closed out properly and no
switch of incident is made without each being properly followed through and closed out.

The developments identified in the section relating to incident closure should resolve this issue.

9. Raise profile of mental health issues generally to ensure that the police and the public are
more aware of mental health issues and the different nature they can present.

This is already ongoing via all the previously designed courses and the North Wales Police
Mental Health Policy which being updated and hase been circulated for consultation. The
review of mental health training has identifed the following resources;

|. Mental Health Input 1 - delivered as a webinar
Il. | Mental Health Input 2 — delivered as a webinar
lll. El PP — Early intervention power point delivered in the classroom now delivered in
vulnerability training.
IV. Dan business card — delivered as part of early intervention training
V. Dan helpline poster — delivered as part of early intervention training
VI. Call newposter — delivered as part of early intervention training
Vil. Credit card English Welsh — delivered as part of early intervention training
Vill. Module J3 — delivered as part of the national taser package
IX. ABD presentation — delivered to all officers as part of personal safety training
X. RPI Team/Dealing with vulnerable people — Email showing audit trail for MH team visit
and feedback

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information or clarification.

Yours sincerely,

Qw eth RAR

Gareth Pritchard
Dirpwy Brif Gwnstabl / Deputy Chief Constable

Swyddfa'r Dirpwy Brif Gwnstabl Deputy Chief Constable's Office
Pencadlys yr Heddlu, Glan-y-Don, Police Headquarters, Glan-y-Don,
Bae Colwyn LL29 8AW Colwyn Bay LL29 8AW

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn y Gymraeg a'r Saesneg - byddwn yn ymateb yn gytartal i'r ddau ac yn ateb yn eich dewis iaith heb oedi.
We welcome correspondence in Welsh and English - we will respond equally to both and will reply in your language of choice without delay.