Further memorandum from the Ministry of
Defence
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE POLICE AND THE SERVICE
POLICE
The Committee's understanding is that a peer review
may take place for complex/contentious investigations. If it did
take place it would normally be by another Service, but could
be a Home Department Police force. Is this understanding of review
procedure correct? Could you each give an example of when a peer
review by another Service and by HDPF has taken place?
The Committee is correct in their understanding
that peer review may take place for complex/contentious investigations
undertaken by the Service Police (SP).
The SP conduct major investigations in accordance
with ACPO endorsed policy whenever possible, as laid out in the
Major Incident Room Standardised Administration Procedures (MIRSAP)
and if applicable, the ACPO Murder Manual. Major Crime Review
is a procedure outlined in MIRSAPs. In addition, ACPO has recommended
that all undetected cases of murder or stranger rape should be
formally reviewed. In consequence, when the SP investigates such
offences overseas, again whenever practicable, a HDPF will be
invited to conduct a major crime review of the investigation.
In 2000, Lancashire Police were invited to conduct a formal review
of Op KINGFISHER, a RMP SIB conducted investigation of an alleged
murder in Belize. Additionally, the RMP SIB may invite external
police agencies to conduct "Cold Case Reviews". In 2000,
the National Crime Faculty was asked to undertake a cold case
review concerning the disappearance of a young British girl in
Germany in 1982. When the case was reopened (Op LOLLIPOP) the
investigation was subject to formal review in 2002 by South Wales
Police and again in 2003.
It is recognised that the RAF and RN do not,
as a matter of routine, have reported to them the types of major
crime investigated by the RMP SIB. However, it is recognised that
peer review is still an important tool and a protocol[53]
exists between the respective PMs which gives them the facility
to call in another SP Force. In one such case, the conduct of
a RAF Police investigation[54]
and the actions of a senior RAF Police officer, his staff and
members of RAFP SIB were the subject of a Redress of Complaint
raised by a RAF Police NCO following his investigation for alleged
offences. Given the seriousness of the allegations, the complexity
of the inquiry and the involvement of both a senior RAF Police
officer and members of RAF Provost and Security Services (SIB),
it was essential to ensure that any subsequent investigation/review
of the original inquiry was as transparent and independent as
possible. The case was referred to the RMP and staff from HQ RMP
SIB (UK) conducted the review. The RN recognises the benefit of
peer review. However, to date, such a reviewing process has not
been required.
On lessons learnt from Deepcut, please clarify
whether the SIB contribution to the Surrey Police investigations
would be subject to Devon and Cornwall's peer review. Does the
RMP expect to receive comments direct from D&C or from Surrey
Police on their contribution once the peer review is completed?
The SIB contribution to the Deepcut investigations
was provided at the request of either the Surrey Police or the
Coroner. The information gathered by the SIB was passed to Surrey
Police and forms part of their material, which we understood might
be the subject of review.
This question is therefore a matter for the
Chief Constable of Surrey Police as it would have been for him
to request any review and to draw up the terms of reference for
the current Devon and Cornwall Police "Quality Assurance"
exercise or any other form of peer review. PM (A) has not been
consulted at any stage concerning the scope or likely product
of any of the reviews conducted on the Chief Constable's behalf,
nor has he been asked to make a contribution.
P(MA)
The Committee understands that MDP or SP might
not be the first responders to an incident. What advice, if any,
is provided by MDP/SP to units on preservation of the scene? What
advice, if any, is provided by MDP/SP to units on what actions
to take before the arrival of police?
In all Services the responsibility for the preservation
of the scene rests with the Commanding Officer (CO), pending the
arrival of the SP, MDP or HDPF. Guidance is issued to COs by way
of orders and a Defence Council Instruction that have been compiled
with inputs provided by the MDP/SP. This guidance includes advice
on preventing/limiting access and safeguarding objects at the
crime scene. The main thrust of this guidance is that apart from
taking immediate action to preserve life and minimise harm to
others, nothing should be touched or tampered with until the arrival
of the police.
It should be noted that most RN and RAF units
have a SP complement, the strength of which will vary according
to the policing needs of the unit. Accordingly, the duty SP staff
will, in almost all conceivable circumstances, be the first responder,
following a report of an incident.
The Defence Police Chiefs are working with the
ACPO Homicide Working Group Crime Committee to assist in the development
of a HDPF/Defence Police protocol for dealing with sudden deaths
that occur on military establishments in the UK.
What is the MDP/SP presence at initial training
establishments?( The question relates to the query raised in the
briefing, whether there would be an MDP/SP representative present
at a training establishment like Deepcut or Catterick, who might
be in a position to take early pro-active action if he/she observed
a potential problem that required investigation. The answers need
to cover, not only details of any permanent presence, but also
whether their duties would make it likely that they would be able
to take early action).
MDP
MDP currently have Unit Beat Officers (single,
40hrs per week constables) deployed to Army Training Regiment
(ATR) Bassingbourn, Lichfield and Harrogate, all places where
young recruits are trained. We also have a UBO stationed at Pirbright,
which backs onto the Deepcut site. The UBO role is demanding and
they are linked into the various Agencies and Departments on each
site. If a UBO was aware, or made aware of a potential problem,
then they are well placed to take early action. However, MDP frequently
share or are co-located with the SP for good operational reasons.
There would need to be an element of trust between any recruit
and the UBO and therefore it may be difficult for a recruit to
actually speak out to an officer without being observed by his
or her peers or other service colleagues. Nevertheless, where
an incident has been reported to MDP officers, they will take
the necessary action to deal with the incident at the appropriate
level.
PM(N)
As stated above, RN Service Police form part
of the manning table in all major shore establishments and HM
ships.
HMS Raleigh is the Royal Navy's Phase 1 training
establishment for all Royal Navy Junior Ratings. HMS Collingwood
and HMS Sultan are the two principal Phase 2 training establishments;
Service Police manning tables are as follows:
|
| HMS Raleigh
| HMS Collingwood | HMS Sultan
|
|
| Officers | |
| |
| Lt (Capt) | Nil
| 1 x Lt | 1 x Lt
|
| Lt Cdr (Maj) | |
| Cdr |
| WOMAA (WO1) | 1
| 1 | Nil
|
| MAA's (SSgt) | 1
| 1 | |
| RPO (Sgt) | 3
| 1 | 1
|
| LREG (Cpl) | 0
| 3 | 2
|
|
The manning levels detailed above are permanently employed
in SP duties. The training divisions within Shore training establishments
have the support of a Divisional System that will monitor individuals
who are under training. Emphasis on Equal Opportunity Training
and how to deal with incidents of Bullying and Harassment forms
an integral part of phase-one training. This is a well-established
policy engendered at the earliest stage of an individual's career.
It is intended to provide reassurance to all personnel undergoing
initial training that there is a mechanism available for them
to report any concerns at the earliest stage before incidents
escalate. This report may be made through their Phase 1 Instructor,
through the Chaplaincy or directly to the SP. Early pro-active
intervention is key to upholding the zero tolerance policy on
bullying and harassment and to enable early detection of disciplinary
and criminal activity.
PM(A)
The RMP can be found in all of the major Army garrisons in
England: Aldershot; Bulford/Tidworth; Colchester and Catterick.
As in the case of Aldershot the RMP unit is proximate to an Initial
Training Establishment eg, ATR Pirbright or as in the case of
Catterick, in the same Garrison as the Infantry Training Centre
operating from the same police station as the local police (N.
Yorks). Elsewhere, the RMP maintains small detachments in London,
Edinburgh, Brecon and York. A Provost Company is based at Donnington,
Shropshire, but this unit does not undertake Garrison policing
tasks. SIB units are similarly based in the major garrison and
detachment locations as their uniformed colleagues. In addition,
the SIB maintains isolated detachments in Preston and at the Reserve
Mobilisation and Training Centre at Chillwell.
There is currently a one-man RMP Post at the ATR at Bassingbourn.
Although not Initial Training Establishments, there is a one-man
RMP Post at the Army Foundation College at Harrogate and another
at the Defence School of Transport at Leconfield. However, all
are due to close on 1 Apr 05, owing to restructuring as part of
Future Army Structures (FAS).
While there are members of the RMP serving at the ATR Winchester,
on the permanent staff, they are employed solely on instructional
duties and are not engaged in any SP capacity.
AO SY&PM(RAF)
RAF Police are complemented on all the RAF's training establishments,
delivering the full range of policing functions. Accordingly,
the RAF Police would be well placed to take early pro-active action
if any potential problem that required investigation was observed
or brought to their attention. The numbers of RAF Police, by establishment,
are as follows:
RAF Cosford: The RAF Police Flt is commanded by a
flt lt and comprises 18 other ranks (ORs).
RAF Cranwell: The RAF Police Flt is commanded by a
flt lt and comprises 16 ORs.
RAF Halton: The RAF Police Flt is commanded by a flt
lt and comprises 20 ORs. In addition, RAF P&SS Southern Region
with an established strength of 1 ft lt and 24 ORs and the RAF
Police School with an established strength of 1 sqn ldr, 6 flt
lts and 41 ORs are co-located at RAF Halton.
RAF Honnington: The RAF Police Flt is commanded by
a flt lt and comprises 13 ORs.
53
Tri-Services Investigation Policy dated 1 Sep 99. Back
54
Case Reference CR/33156/03/INV dated 17 Oct 03. Back
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