GMP slammed by inspectors over treatment of detainees in custody suites
A report has found the force failed to maintain the dignity of some detainees or keep accurate records of their treatment
Greater Manchester Police is facing fresh criticism after inspectors examined the way the force runs its custody suits.
Last autumn an inspection was carried out on eight custody suits across the region which found numerous failings in regard to the way the facilities were run.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out the inspections between August and October 2022 and found six main causes of concern.
- The force's leadership for custody provision isn’t strong enough and senior leaders are not fully engaged in ensuring the service is provided well and achieves appropriate outcomes for detainees;
- The force doesn’t always meet legal requirements for the detention,
- treatment and questioning of persons, and in the way, reviews of
- detention are carried out;
- Governance and oversight of the use of force in custody are limited.
- Information on what force is used, by which officers, or why it is
- necessary is often incomplete or inaccurate;
"Detainees are sometimes left naked in their cells"
- The force doesn't always maintain the dignity of detainees when clothing is removed. Detainees are sometimes left naked in their cells and not encouraged to put on replacement clothing;
- The force isn’t always assuring detainee safety. At certain times of the day, there aren’t always enough staff on duty to manage risk appropriately and make sure detainees are kept safe; and
- The force’s records of detainees’ medicines aren’t consistently
- maintained or accurate, and it doesn’t always securely store medicines brought in with detainees. The lack of control over these medicines presents a significant risk to the force.
"Some of the recommendations from our last inspection in 2016 have not been achieved or have only partly been achieved."
His Majesty’s Assistant Inspector of Constabulary Nikki Faulconbridge said: “Anyone detained in custody should be treated fairly and kept safe from harm.
"Greater Manchester Police has a clear governance structure to provide strategic oversight of its custody services, custody staff are respectful and patient, and the force works well with mental health services. However, our inspection identified some critical weaknesses in how custody is provided to make sure detainees are kept safe and treated and cared for well.
“The force’s strategic priority to tackle crime and increase arrests has led to an increase in demand for custody services as the number of detainees rises. But these custody services are not good enough. Some of the recommendations from our last inspection in 2016 have not been achieved or have only partly been achieved, leaving some important areas of custody requiring urgent attention – including management oversight of custody, governance and oversight of the use of force, risk management and detainee care. These are now the causes of concern.
“More positively, the force responded quickly to our feedback during the inspection, taking action in several areas. We will continue to monitor the force's progress closely to ensure custody services, and outcomes for detainees, improve.”
"Utmost priority to quickly address these issues."
In response to the inspection report, GMPs Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said:
“It is my utmost priority to quickly address these issues and put in place measures which enable our custody staff to do their job effectively, professionally and to the highest standard possible.
“It is important to recognise that this report consistently acknowledges the hard work our custody staff and officers do, particularly for those who come into custody with mental health issues, whilst working in what can be a very difficult and volatile environment.
“GMP’s improvement plan has seen the Force become the most improved in the country, and our strategy to be more proactive in arresting people and getting criminals off our streets has created additional demand on our custody resources and capability, which I am here to address.
"We cannot and will not stop arresting people who cause a blight on our communities, however, no matter how busy our custody suites are, we must ensure we are treating people fairly and with dignity.
"We have not waited for the report to be published to take action and we are already very much on our way to addressing all areas for concern, including robust leadership and oversight, increased scrutiny on the use of force and anti-rip clothing, enhanced measures to secure medication, and thorough regular review and auditing procedures to ensure compliance and professionalism.
“I have already personally met a significant number of our custody suite staff and I firmly believe with the right leadership and working practices in place, we can and will improve our service level, and support our force as we arrest more people and get criminals off the streets and through the criminal justice process.”