FOI 468/26

Original Request 1376/25

 

1. Ligature-Cutting Equipment

 

1. a) The percentage of frontline response officers who are currently issued with a ligature cutter (or equivalent device).
2. b) The percentage of response vehicles currently equipped with such devices.
3. c) The date by which South Wales Police aims to reach 100% equipment coverage (if not already achieved).
4. d) Any audits or compliance checks carried out since October 2022 relating to the availability and use of these devices.

 

2. Crisis-Response / Mental-Health Incident Training

 

1. a) The percentage of current frontline response officers who have completed specific training relating to ligature/suspension incidents and suicide attempts.
2. b) Copies or descriptions of any training packages/modules used since 2022.
3. c) Details of any refresher training requirements in place.
4. d) Dates of any planned or ongoing rollout for such training.

 

3. Policy & Implementation

 

1. a) Any internal policies or operational guidance documents (post-October 2022) relating to attending suicide attempts or suspensions.
2. b) Any changes made to force-wide procedures as a result of the Senior Coroner’s recommendations (Regulation 28 report ref: 2022-0337).
3. c) Any communications circulated to officers about these changes.

 

Original Response 1376/25

 

We have consulted with our Learning and Development Department who have provided the following information in relation to your request.

 

Question 1a

 

All frontline officers have been issued with ligature cutters.

 

Question 1b

 

The devices are personal issue.

 

Question 1c

 

Not applicable.

 

Question 1d

 

Ligature cutters are personal issue. Any use would be recorded on the Electronic Incident on Duty (EIOD) platform and discussed/ reviewed in local health and safety meetings.

Question 2a

 

All officers must complete online training before issue of cutters and receive direction on learning during annual first aid refresher courses.

 

Question 2b

 

Training course available through Force online training portal ‘College Learn’. The aim is to provide officers with the skill and knowledge to correctly use the Ligature cutter. Objectives include:

 

• To know the parts of the Ligature Cutter.
• Explain how to correctly use the Ligature Cutter to cut a thin cord or rope, around a persons neck.
• To safely use and correctly carry the Ligature Cutter.

 

Question 2c

 

Officers attend annual first aid refresher courses and above course is available through force online training portal ‘College Learn’.

 

Question 2d

 

Not applicable.

 

Question 3a, b and c

 

We have consulted with our Legal department who have provided the following information in relation to this part of your request.

 

Post October 2022 there have been no new policy or guidance documents surrounding suicide attempts or suspensions.

 

Since 2019 all new South Wales Police Constables have been on the Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF) programme. Within the initial six-month police learning curriculum, all student officers receive detailed input in relation to mental health and persons in crisis. This includes:

 

-           Identifying situations where police may encounter individuals who may have mental health concerns

-           Signs and behaviours of a person in crisis or distress

-           What initial support to provide

-           What support services can be utilised

-           What legislation, powers and procedures are available to officers.

 

This training includes videos, scenarios, presentations, and group exercises. In relation to the initial support aspect, there is detailed training regarding barriers to communication, followed by a session on communication skills. In this session, the training given to officers includes guidance on how to speak/communicate to an individual who is displaying suicidal ideation or appears to be suffering from a significant mental crisis. This guidance includes giving the individual space, listening, remaining calm, giving them time and trying to make the conversation as personable as possible; for example, using the person’s first name, trying to build a rapport and to be empathetic to their circumstances. Officers are also made aware of the availability of specialist Negotiators, and when possible, the deployed on-call Negotiators also provide advice to officers at scene prior to their arrival.

In 2018 it was then mandated that all front-line police officers must complete a College of Policing E-Learning package in relation to Mental Health Awareness. This is still mandatory for all transferee officers joining South Wales Police. Training packages and changes in legislation and guidance, are constantly monitored to ensure compliance with Approved Professional Practice (APP).

 

All police officers also receive Police & Public Safety Training  (PPST) on an annual basis which includes 2 hrs of scenario-based group exercise training using tactical communication and actions and dealing with vulnerability, persons in crisis and mental health issues, similar to the training already provided in the PEQF programme.

 

Throughout January to March 2025 all response officers were provided with refresher Mental Health training on their scheduled training days and as part of a vulnerability training programme run by the Safeguarding & Public Protection Command.

 

The mental health training provided to officers provides a framework of advice, guidance and legislative powers in relation to persons in crisis, which by its very nature includes suicide intervention measures.

 

 

Request 468/26

 

Firstly, regarding Question 1(a) and 1(b), I requested the percentage of frontline response officers and response vehicles equipped with ligature cutters. The response states that all frontline officers have been issued with cutters and that these are personal issue, but no percentage figures have been provided. For completeness and clarity, I would be grateful if you could confirm the exact percentage figures held, or confirm whether this data is not recorded.

 

Secondly, in relation to Question 1(d), I asked for details of any audits or compliance checks carried out since October 2022. The response refers to usage being recorded on the EIOD platform and discussed at local meetings; however, this does not address whether any formal audits, reviews, or compliance checks have been conducted. Please could you clarify whether any such audits exist and, if so, provide details.

 

Thirdly, regarding Question 2(a), I requested the percentage of current frontline response officers who have completed specific training relating to ligature or suspension incidents. The response outlines training requirements but does not provide the requested percentage of officers who have completed this training. I would appreciate clarification on this point.

 

Finally, in relation to Question 3(b), the response indicates that no new policy or guidance documents have been introduced post-October 2022 following the Regulation 28 report. For completeness, could you confirm whether any changes—formal or informal—were implemented in practice (e.g. operational procedures, equipment rollout, or training updates) as a direct result of the Coroner’s recommendations?

 

Response 468/26

 

Part VI of the Section 45 Code of Practice places a duty on public authorities to implement a complaints process to ensure that applicants are able to request an internal review if they are not content with an authority response.  

 

An internal review has been conducted in a fair and impartial manner, and I can provide our revised response below:

Question 1a)

 

100%

 

Question 1b)

 

100%

 

Question 1d)

 

We have consulted with our LDS (Learning and Development Services) Department and Occupational Health Safety and Wellbeing Team who have provided the following information.

 

We do not believe any formal audits, reviews, or compliance checks are held.

 

Question 2a)

 

100%

 

Question 3b) 

 

As our previous response indicates, no new policy or guidance documents surrounding suicide attempts or suspensions have been introduced post October 2022. Operational changes were made after the incident and by the time of the inquest. These changes included ligature cutters being part of the issue to new front line officers, and training relating to mental health and response to persons in crisis.