In accordance with section 1(1) (b) of the Act our response is
provided below;
1. Through established Custody processes, each detained person
brought to any of the Custody suites in the Cheshire Constabulary
area is subject of a comprehensive Risk Assessment from which a
Care Plan is developed to inform the manner in which the detainee
is treated whilst in Custody.
The risk assessment is completed immediately after detention has
been authorised and takes into account:-
- initial questions asked of the detained person (e.g. are you
suffering from any mental health problems or depression? Have you
ever tried to harm yourself?)
- any relevant information or intelligence provided by the
arresting or transporting officers
- any relevant information or intelligence already held regarding
the detainee on computer systems (e.g. previous threats or attempts
to self harm, previous mental health assessments carried out whilst
in Custody etc.)
- any observations made by the Custody Sergeant.
As part of a regular training programme, all Custody Sergeants
receive awareness training which is regularly up-dated by both
Mental Health professionals and the lead Custody Doctor regarding
relevant signs, symptoms and behaviours which may indicate that a
detainee has mental health needs.
The custody suites benefit from medical services provided by
Health Care Professionals who are either qualified Doctors or
Nurses who are available 24 hours a day. Hence Custody staff and
detainees in their care have immediate access to an "on site"
health care professional for referral and further assessment
purposes if required.
Whilst there are no designated Mental Health staff working
directly within the Custody suite, some Nurses are specifically
trained in mental health, whilst the rest of the nursing cohort are
empowered to refer detainees for whom they have concerns to the "on
call" Custody Doctor, all of whom having psychiatric training, for
further assessment and on-going referral as required. In addition
external assistance is also available either through the local
Criminal Justice Liaison Nurses (PCT based) during "normal office
hours" and via the "out of hours" Emergency Duty Teams which can be
accessed by the custody Health Care Professionals. Where required,
an appropriately qualified team including can be assembled to carry
out a formal Mental Health assessment should it be required.
In line with adherence to Safer Detention and Handling of
Persons in Police Custody guidelines, should the detainee for whom
we have concerns be initially lodged in one of cells, an
appropriate level of observations will be designated, the use of a
cell with CCTV provision will be considered as will the
appropriateness of the use of safety clothing depending on the
levels of concern raised by and for the individual.
2. Through established custody processes that comply with the
Police and Criminal Evidence Act and Safer Detention and Handling
of Persons in Police Custody guidelines, each detained person
brought to any of the Custody suites in the Cheshire Constabulary
area is subject of a comprehensive Risk Assessment from which a
Care Plan is developed to inform the manner in which the detainee
is treated whilst in Custody.
The risk assessment is completed immediately after detention has
been authorised and takes into account:-
- initial questions asked of the detained person (e.g. Have you
consumed alcohol recently? Do you have any drug or alcohol
dependency issues?)
- any relevant information or intelligence provided by the
arresting or transporting officers
- any relevant information or intelligence already held regarding
the detained person on computer systems
- any informed observations made by the Custody Sergeant.
The detail provided in respect of Question 1 is equally
applicable to this question. There is a training regime for custody
staff in respect of dealing with intoxicated detainees, presence
and availability of health care professionals, observation/CCTV
usage, safety clothing provision and cell share suitability
assessment.
Substance Misuse Arrest Referral staff work within the Custody
facilities and are provided via partnership generated funding
through the relevant service providers. Substance misuse includes
alcohol.
Health Care Professionals and the referral staff regularly
operate within the same Custody facility and carry out bespoke
assessments/consultations and identify and access the appropriate
referral pathway should it be deemed appropriate.