Epilepsy action

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FIN/23/000991/T

 Version Date: 13/06/2024

The Alliance Operations & Learning & Development Department have provided the following information.

I would like to request under the freedom of information act answers to the following;

•What contact have Dorset Police had from the college of Policing in regard to the REGULATION 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS in relation to the death of Gaia Pope 2022?

In September 2022, the College of Policing made contact with the Chief Constable’s Office to arrange a meeting with the College of Policing’s Crime and Criminal Justice Lead. This was to discuss further the recommendations made by the Dorset HM Coroner within the Regulation 28 report regarding the training to all staff and officers. This was following a letter from, at the time, Deputy Chief Constable Sam De Reya, requesting for a further discussion.

• What epilepsy training have officers of Dorset Police undertaken in the last five years?

1282 officers and staff (including Student Officers) completed a ‘Vulnerability 4’ training day between January 2023 and April 2023. This included an input on understanding personal circumstances better, such as listening to informants about medical conditions (epilepsy was used as an example). Also the training discussed where to get support to understand better complex medical conditions or diagnosis and how that affects risk and GP awareness of epilepsy as a life-threatening condition and understanding of post-ictal psychosis.

There was a specific slide for epilepsy during the Taser refresher between 2013-2014, it is then mentioned in the Taser refresher in 2022 on a mental health slide.

There was a specific slide for epilepsy in the Taser initial course from 2013 until 2021, it is then referenced on a mental health slide between 2021-2023.

First Aid input to operational Officers included epilepsy in 2021 when it is mentioned in slides referring to seizures.

 

• What is Dorset Police’s policy regarding grading the risk of a missing person who has epilepsy?
  
  

There is no specific risk grading purely for epilepsy or any individual illness. Officers and staff will utilise the THRIVE assessment (Threat Risk Harm Investigation Vulnerability and Evidence) and risk assessment provided in the FCC to establish a risk grading. They will go through questions with the call taker to establish previous medical and health history to identify if a risk is posed to the individual. This will take into account many factors, of which epilepsy could be one if this information is provided by the call taker.