Page 20 - WMPF Federation Dec2018-flip_Neat

Delegates view the VIPER
firearms training simulator as
one delegate tries it out.

PIP seminar delivers

important message

ost-Incident Procedures (PIP) are not best possible outcome following a traumatic Scenarios including a hostage situation, a
only for specialists – they can affect or life-changing event.” drugs den and an armed man threatening to
Pany officer any time. This year’s event, held in Hinckley, shoot himself were shown on screen as
This was the take-away message from Leicestershire, was the third seminar of its volunteers armed with laser-enabled guns
the Police Federation of England and Wales’ kind and covered a variety of topics including had a split second to decide whether to
annual PIP seminar which was attended by perception and distortion, anonymity, the shoot.
225 delegates from across the country at the physiology of restraint and a video and a The exercise also prompted a discussion
end of October. presentation from Staffordshire Police about around perception and distortion as tunnel
The Federation’s vice-chair, Ché Donald, a pursuit incident which resulted in an vision comes into place in the moment an
summed up the importance of PIP when he accident involving members of the public. officer is faced with a life or death situation.
said: “Whether you are an officer involved in a Delegates were invited to take part in a Two serving firearms officers tackled the
serious incident or the family of someone VIPER firearms training simulator as part of a simulations, allowing delegates to see the
who has lost their life, PIPs can deliver the session entitled ‘Shoot Don’t Shoot’. differences in their approach.
Body-worn video (BWV) was also
discussed and it was agreed that it is vital
tool in the aftermath of a death or serious
injury involving police contact but the officers’
‘honestly held belief’ remains key to
understanding the outcome and whether
blame should be apportioned.
Lawyer Mark Wardley, a partner in Straw
and Pearce, told the seminar that police dog
bites should be considered under PIP, adding
that it ‘fits the definition of a serious injury
and we need to be ready’.
A revolutionary ‘Fit-bit’-style bracelet
which could help prevent custody deaths was
unveiled. The equipment, which delivers vital
health data in real-time, was showcased in a
live demonstration of a police restraint
20 federation December 2018/January 2019 www.polfed.org/westmids