3 January 201419 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Cover-up claim over police chief Ian Learmonth’s role in lorry ‘killing’ probe

Lee Balkwell originally by: Daily Mail
published: 21 December 2013

Police chiefs have been accused of a cover-up as one of Britain’s most senior officers prepares to retire while secretly being investigated over an alleged conflict of interest.

Ian Learmonth, chief constable of Kent, was reported to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in July over a review of the police inquiry into the death of Lee Balkwell, who was found dead in a cement mixer lorry in 2002.

Mr Learmonth faces criticism for letting his officers in Kent investigate how Essex Police handled the case because he himself was working for the Essex force at the time of the original inquiry.

22 November 201317 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Police body cameras – not the panacea they are claimed to be

originally by: Netpol
published: November 2013

A number of police forces have recently announced that they hold large scale trials of body worn video cameras for all officers on patrol.

These cameras will be attached to police uniforms, and can be switched on or off at the discretion of officers.

The reaction from civil liberties organisations have been muted, but Netpol has spoken out publicly against the routine use of bodycams, and the implications of further extending police surveillance capacity.

22 August 201317 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Police forces trial ‘street triage’ mental health scheme

originally by: BBC News
published: 20 August 2013

Five more police forces are to pilot a scheme whereby mental health nurses accompany officers on call-outs, the government has announced. Nurses will join patrols, assist on emergency calls and in control rooms as part of the street triage scheme.

Trials have already been established in Leicestershire and Cleveland.

The new pilots will involve the British Transport Police and the Metropolitan, Thames Valley, West Midlands and West Yorkshire forces. The extension was announced by care and support minister Norman Lamb.