Post Incident Procedures

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Police forces operate these procedures when, following contact with the police, someone dies (or is expected to die) or suffers injuries that are life changing or potentially life changing.

You will either be regarded as a suspect or witness (you can’t be both). UNISON will ensure that your rights under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) are followed and will work with your force’s Post Incident Manager (PIM) to ensure that you are treated fairly and that your welfare needs are met.

Investigations may be conducted by a force PSD and/or the IOPC, under arrangements set out by the Police Investigations Review Commissioner (PIRC). The Health and Safety Executive may also undertake investigations.

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) Article 2 imposes a duty on the state to conduct an effective official investigation when individuals have been subject of a death or serious injury (DSI) as a result of the use of force by the police. According to the ECHR, the investigation must:

• be on the state’s own initiative
• be independent, institutionally and in practice
• be adequate and capable of determining whether the force used was justified in the circumstances and leading to the identification and accountability of those responsible
• be prompt
• allow for sufficient public scrutiny to ensure accountability
• allow the next of kin to participate 

If you are involved in a post incident procedure (PIP) you should make sure that the on call Unison PIP accredited Steward has been called and is in attendance.  When they arrive, they will assist you in calling the free PIP helpline (0808 164 9332) to get access to advice and support.  You will be advised that you should not confer with anyone else involved in the procedure (including your Steward).  The only person you should confer with in private is the Legal advisor on the helpline who will help you to complete your initial brief account of the incident which should be your honestly held belief of what occurred to cause the DSI.

Click on the above image to view the full College of Policing Approved Professional Practice (APP) document on Post Incident Procedures.  This document explains fully why a PIP is held, how it is held, who is in attendance and what the expectations and final outcome should look like.