Recommendation - Sussex Police, January 2025

The IOPC recommends that Sussex Police update its call-handling training and guidance to include clear direction on when Contact Officers should seek specialist medical advice or support, particularly in cases where a sudden death is suspected.

This follows an IOPC independent investigation where a member of the public reported a child hanging from a tree. Initially, the Contact Officer did not request medical attendance at the scene. This subsequently led to delays in the ambulance attending.

Through the IOPC investigation, it was identified that there was a lack of guidance for Contact Officers when receiving a call regarding a sudden death. This led to confusion about how they should handle the call.

Through improved training and guidance, Contact Officers will be better equipped to deal with sudden death incidents.  

Accepted

This is accepted and changes have been implemented accordingly.