Annual Report 2023- 2024 - Page 12

As the public’s voice in policing, it is equally important that he publishes information for full transparency.

Over the past 12 months, the Commissioner has:

• Attended five Police and Crime Panel meetings where members scrutinised and supported his work
• Made 51 formal decisions and published them.
• Had 24 weekly one-to-one meetings with the Chief Constable
• Held six formal Strategic Scrutiny and Accountability Board meetings where he questioned and challenged the Chief Constable and his Chief Officer Team.
• The Office held four Joint Audit and Ethics Committee (JAEC) meetings focusing on governance and risk management
• The Office held four Stop and Search/Use of Force continuous improvement Panels
• The Office responded to 72 Freedom of Information requests
• The Office responded to 17 Subject Access Requests
• The Office Administered one Police Appeal Tribunal
• The Office completed 92 reviews in relation to police complaints. During 2023/24 the administration of the Reviews of Police Complaints undertaken by the Office and inspected by the Internal Audit Team, receiving substantial assurance.
• The Office entered into four collaboration agreements
• Following recent changes to the Police Misconduct Regulations, the Office has commenced the recruitment of Legally Qualified Persons and Independent Panel Members to sit on Police Misconduct Hearings.

Appointment of new Chief Constable

In January 2024, the Commissioner began the process to recruit a new Chief Constable for Lancashire following the announcement of Chief Constable Chris Rowley’s retirement.

Following a vigorous process, Sacha Hatchett, who was Deputy Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary, was selected as his preferred candidate.

Sacha is a highly competent leader, experienced in operational command as well as strategic leadership, who leads from the front and above all shares his determination and passion to see criminals brought to justice, more visible policing on our streets and the highest professional standards upheld.

The Commissioner wants Lancashire to have a reputation as the most pro-active, crime fighting force in the Country that relentlessly takes the fight to criminals, and over her career and her time in Lancashire, Sacha has proven that she knows how to step up these efforts.

The Commissioner is confident she can keep up the momentum and build on the foundations already laid to deliver on the priorities set out in his Fighting Crime Plan. This includes a highly visible presence on our streets, with Officers who are seen as figures of authority and respect – ultimately reducing the number of victims, making people feel safer and improving public confidence.

Independent Report into Nicola Bulley case

In November 2023, the Commissioner published the Independent External Review of Lancashire Constabulary’s Operational Response to the widely publicised case of missing person Nicola Bulley.

The review, commissioned in February 2023, and led by the College of Policing, provided insight into the effectiveness of the Constabulary’s response over the period Nicola Bulley was missing in early 2023, which saw unprecedented levels of mainstream and social media interest in the case.

Sadly, Nicola’s body was subsequently found in the river Wyre about a mile from where she was first reported missing. At the inquest, the senior coroner for Lancashire ruled that Nicola Bulley died an accidental death.

In completing this review, the College examined more than 350 documents; interviewed more than 70 key people from Lancashire Constabulary; and gained insight from 30 subject matter experts outside of the Constabulary, including those from the media.

The report includes a series of conclusions and recommendations for Lancashire Constabulary and wider policing. It offers best practice in how high-profile cases can be best investigated and communicated under such spotlight and scrutiny, highlighting the importance of leadership command structures, declaration of critical incidents and resilience within police communications.

Key findings of the report include:

• The police investigation and search were very well conducted and resourced by Lancashire Constabulary
• The decision not to call the investigation a critical incident, despite it meeting the national definition, led to several challenges
• Media handling and communication of information to the public, and the management of this by the leadership team, led to a breakdown of public confidence
• Despite being lawful, the release of personal details regarding Nicola was avoidable and unnecessary
• The relationship between police forces and mainstream media needs to be rebuilt
• None of the findings would have materially affected the outcome of the search or investigation.

Independent Custody Visitors

The Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) Scheme, overseen by the Office, involves dedicated volunteers who conduct visits to police stations. Their purpose is to assess the well-being of individuals held in police custody, examine the conditions of their confinement, and ensure that their legal rights are upheld.

In the timeframe spanning from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, a total of 158 ICV visits were carried out across Lancashire’s
four operational custody suites: Blackpool, Blackburn, Preston, and Lancaster. Within this period, ICVs conducted 748 visits to detainees, actively monitoring their well-being and conditions throughout their time in custody.

During 2023/24 the administration and effectiveness of the Independent Custody Scheme was inspected by the Internal Audit Team and received substantial assurance.

Complaints against the Chief Constable

The Commissioner is responsible for dealing with complaints, conduct matters, death and serious injury matters and non-police reform act misconduct or gross misconduct matters that involve the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary.

Through his Office, the Commissioner take steps to resolve and where appropriate, investigate the complaint. When concluded, the complainant is informed of the outcome, along with a clear rationale as to how and why that decision has been reached. To ensure openness and transparency, the complainant is also advised of a right of appeal to the IOPC if they disagree with the outcome.

In 2023/24 the Office dealt with eight complaints against the Chief Constable – none of which were upheld or met the criteria to be investigated.

Custody Detention Scrutiny Panel

During the year, the Commissioner’s Office established a Custody Detention Scrutiny Panel.

• The primary objective of the panel is to independently:
• assess and report on detention and custody processes.
• review and advise on matters of disproportionality; and
• assist in generating a transparent product suitable for public consideration at the end of each annual Panel cycle.

The panel is made up of a group of local people selected from across the policing area, to represent the local communities in conversations with police officers and staff actively involved in the detention and custody environments.

The panel will be given unprecedented access to material retained by the police in order to objectively and independently review matters
of disproportionality and police/ detainee behaviour in the context of legislation, guidance, policy and procedure.

The panel will produce regular reports that will be made available to the wider public in order to help improve trust and confidence in policing.