Recommendation - Norfolk and Suffolk Constabulary, July 2025
We identified organisational learning following a review of a local death or serious injury investigation report into a person who arrived in custody intoxicated who subsequently suffered a seizure while in a cell. The hospital assessment was that the seizure was due to alcohol withdrawal.
IOPC reference
Recommendations
The IOPC recommends that Norfolk Constabulary should amend their custody policy, and any associated guidance or training, to include a section on individuals who come into custody, who may have consumed alcohol and may need to be referred to a Healthcare Professional. The policy should align with the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice (APP) on Detention and Custody, specifically the section on alcohol and drugs.
This follows an IOPC review of a local Death or Serious Injury investigation report into a person who arrived in custody intoxicated who subsequently suffered a seizure whilst in a cell. The hospital assessment was that the seizure was due to alcohol withdrawal.
The force’s existing custody policy does not refer to any circumstances where a person comes into custody, who has consumed alcohol and may need to be referred to a Healthcare Professional. The College of Policing’s APP does cover these types of scenarios and states that the person should have been seen by a Healthcare Professional (HCP) due to the readings of the evidential breath test.
The College of Policing’s APP on ‘Alcohol and Drugs’ provides a list of situations when officers must always consult an HCP. This includes: ‘a person detained for an evidential breath test registers more than 150 micrograms of alcohol’.
It appears that the force’s current policy on when a detainee should receive appropriate clinical attention are not altogether reflective of the requirement as stated in the College of Policing’s APP. It would seem sensible to align the force’s policy with the College of Policing’s APP ‘Alcohol and Drugs’ page to remove any ambiguity. It would make it easier for all concerned to understand their responsibilities and obligations when dealing with intoxicated detainees.
Accepted
The learning as identified as part of the investigation has been managed through four business areas with Joint Justice and Professional Standards. Whilst associated to a Norfolk Constabulary investigation, the command crosses Norfolk and Suffolk, widening the learning that can be taken from this investigation.
The IOPC recommends that Norfolk Constabulary should amend their custody policy, and any associated guidance or training, to include a section on individuals who come into custody, who may have consumed alcohol and may need to be referred to a Healthcare Professional. The policy should align with the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice on Detention and Custody, specifically the section on alcohol and drugs.
1. Command Chief Inspector as the head of custody across Norfolk and Suffolk
2. Local Custody Inspector – Police Investigation Centre Inspector for Kings Lynn and 1st line manager for the Custody Sergeant within the case
3. Joint Justice Training Sergeant – responsible for custody training delivery, Sergeants and detention officers
4. Inspector within Professional Standards Department – manages the wider distribution of learning
The following learning outcomes have been completed by the above and confirmation as detailed below.
1. Command Chief Inspector - The policy has been reviewed and is compliant and a reminder email has been sent to all custody staff.
2. Local Custody Inspector – Has undertaken a management discussion with the Custody Sergeant, this resulting in that officer being aware of the requirement and that he should have referred the detainee to the medic.
In addition, a wider email has been sent to all custody staff by the Local Custody Inspector, which included links to the appropriate policies and procedures, and was discussed and acknowledged by the Custody Sergeant. The Custody Sergeant now fully understands it is not simply advisory, it is a mandatory requirement. In addition, the Local Custody Inspector sent an email to the Custody Distribution List (wider than just Custody Sergeants, covering all areas of custody) sharing the wider learning, the organisational expectations in line with policy and highlighting the specific learning area.
3. Joint Justice Training Sergeant has confirmed that the requirement referencing the reading level and HCP is already included in the Risk Assessment & Management Day for both Sergeants and CDOs. The training already covers the guidance as detailed within the APP, particularly around dependency and high breath readings.
4. Inspector within PSD has confirmed that this learning can be distributed through the learning times which is accessible across both Norfolk and Suffolk.