PFD report

David Conway ORMESHER · Prevention of Future Deaths report

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Issued 4 Jun 2021•Brighton and Hove

Report record

Published report and response evidence

This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.

View original report
Concerns
4

Raised in this report

Recipients
2

Named on the report

Responses found
2

Of 2 recipients

Stated actions
8

Described in responses

Recipients and published responses

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

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Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Concerns raised4

  1. Failure to retain the personal radio appropriately during police vehicle operations
  2. Failure to deploy the siren when required
    Part of recurring concern: Unreliable police emergency-vehicle siren controls
  3. Failure to keep the in-car radio switched on
Responses linked to these concerns

Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

Actions described in response An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.6

  1. Action

    Create an NCALT package supporting mandated vehicle-radio teaching for new starters.

    Stated by Sussex PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 June 2021.
  2. Action

    Include mandated vehicle-radio-use and procedure teaching in all new-starter foundation training.

    Stated by Sussex PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 June 2021.
  3. Action

    Operate a Driver Behaviour Working Group reviewing telematics, training, vehicle incidents, pursuit learning, and health and safety trends.

    Stated by Sussex PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 June 2021.

Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.4

  1. Position

    Existing policies are considered unable to cover the rare eventuality of a passenger failing to return another officer’s personal radio.

    Stated by Sussex PoliceUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Failure to retain the personal radio appropriately during police vehicle operations

Wider context from the report

“In the light of Inspector ████████ evidence and from the conclusions of the Jury, the following points were identified as being relevant: (1) The in-car radio should be switched on at all times (2) The siren should have been deployed (3) The personal radio should not be handed to the passenger in the police vehicle and not returned immediately (4) The speed was found to be excessive and drivers in training need reminding of the Regulations: ‘Drive appropriately and justify the manner of driving’ ‘Plan the journey using all available information’ Perhaps this tragic case will prompt a review of the existing driver training. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Failure to deploy the siren when required

Wider context from the report

“In the light of Inspector ████████ evidence and from the conclusions of the Jury, the following points were identified as being relevant: (1) The in-car radio should be switched on at all times (2) The siren should have been deployed (3) The personal radio should not be handed to the passenger in the police vehicle and not returned immediately (4) The speed was found to be excessive and drivers in training need reminding of the Regulations: ‘Drive appropriately and justify the manner of driving’ ‘Plan the journey using all available information’ Perhaps this tragic case will prompt a review of the existing driver training. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable police emergency-vehicle siren controls.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Failure to keep the in-car radio switched on

Wider context from the report

“In the light of Inspector ████████ evidence and from the conclusions of the Jury, the following points were identified as being relevant: (1) The in-car radio should be switched on at all times (2) The siren should have been deployed (3) The personal radio should not be handed to the passenger in the police vehicle and not returned immediately (4) The speed was found to be excessive and drivers in training need reminding of the Regulations: ‘Drive appropriately and justify the manner of driving’ ‘Plan the journey using all available information’ Perhaps this tragic case will prompt a review of the existing driver training. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Inadequate driver training on appropriate driving and journey planning

Wider context from the report

“In the light of Inspector ████████ evidence and from the conclusions of the Jury, the following points were identified as being relevant: (1) The in-car radio should be switched on at all times (2) The siren should have been deployed (3) The personal radio should not be handed to the passenger in the police vehicle and not returned immediately (4) The speed was found to be excessive and drivers in training need reminding of the Regulations: ‘Drive appropriately and justify the manner of driving’ ‘Plan the journey using all available information’ Perhaps this tragic case will prompt a review of the existing driver training. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Create an NCALT package supporting mandated vehicle-radio teaching for new starters.

Verbatim wording from the response

“I have also instructed our Learning & Professional Development team to include a mandated input on vehicle radio use and procedure to all new starters as part of their foundation training with Sussex Police. This is now included in the mandated teaching in all Dedicated Coaching Units, which will be supported by an NCALT package that is in the process of being created.”

Source location

Response from Sussex Police
Page 2 · response
Published 4 June 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Include mandated vehicle-radio-use and procedure teaching in all new-starter foundation training.

Verbatim wording from the response

“I have also instructed our Learning & Professional Development team to include a mandated input on vehicle radio use and procedure to all new starters as part of their foundation training with Sussex Police. This is now included in the mandated teaching in all Dedicated Coaching Units, which will be supported by an NCALT package that is in the process of being created.”

Source location

Response from Sussex Police
Page 2 · response
Published 4 June 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Operate a Driver Behaviour Working Group reviewing telematics, training, vehicle incidents, pursuit learning, and health and safety trends.

Verbatim wording from the response

“I have also instructed ████████ to reinforce to all police drivers, the need to drive appropriately, justify their actions and plan their journey using all available information. As well as highlight that under the code of ethics, it is passengers’ duty to report any dangerous driving they witness that may put themselves or the public at risk. This will take the form of force wide messaging to all relevant officers in the force. Sussex Police has invested in Telematics, a vehicle management system which provides information about vehicles so the force can monitor how vehicles are being driven and track vehicle movements. A Driver Behaviour Working Group is also in place which reviews trends shown by Telematics, driver training, police vehicle incidents, pursuit learning and health and safety.”

Source location

Response from Sussex Police
Page 3 · response
Published 4 June 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Issue force-wide messaging reinforcing appropriate driving, justification of actions, journey planning, and passengers’ duty to report dangerous driving.

Verbatim wording from the response

“I have also instructed ████████ to reinforce to all police drivers, the need to drive appropriately, justify their actions and plan their journey using all available information. As well as highlight that under the code of ethics, it is passengers’ duty to report any dangerous driving they witness that may put themselves or the public at risk. This will take the form of force wide messaging to all relevant officers in the force. Sussex Police has invested in Telematics, a vehicle management system which provides information about vehicles so the force can monitor how vehicles are being driven and track vehicle movements. A Driver Behaviour Working Group is also in place which reviews trends shown by Telematics, driver training, police vehicle incidents, pursuit learning and health and safety.”

Source location

Response from Sussex Police
Page 3 · response
Published 4 June 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Operate a Police Vehicle Incidents meeting overseeing policy, incident reviews, lessons learned, driver behaviour, and related sanctions or learning outcomes.

Verbatim wording from the response

“A Police Vehicle Incidents meeting oversees new policy, reviews vehicle incidents and share lessons learnt. The panel also reviews behaviour of drivers and promote this through a full range of sanctions or learning outcomes. A point system has been introduced with the aim of making interventions at lower levels and avoiding more serious incidences occurring in future.”

Source location

Response from Sussex Police
Page 3 · response
Published 4 June 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Complete rollout of a mandated bespoke vehicle-radio training package for driving-permit holders, covering radio operation, policy, and passenger responsibilities.

Verbatim wording from the response

“I have instructed ████████ in conjunction with our Learning & Professional Development team to design a bespoke training package relating to the use of the vehicle radio. This will be mandated to all members of Sussex Police officers and staff who hold a driving permit to complete. It will include the operation of the radio, a reminder of the Sussex Police policy and roles and responsibilities of any passenger within the vehicle. This is already in the later stages of development and rollout should be completed by the end of October 2021.”

Source location

Response from Sussex Police
Page 2 · response
Published 4 June 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Existing policies are considered unable to cover the rare eventuality of a passenger failing to return another officer’s personal radio.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Recommendation 3 – The personal radio should not be handed to the passenger in the police vehicle and not returned immediately.”

Source location

Response from Sussex Police
Page 3 · response
Published 4 June 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

The driving failings are not considered systemic in Sussex Police or caused by its driver training.

Verbatim wording from the response

“This was tragic case that was found to be caused by a combination of factors, including the driving of ████████. I do not believe that these failings are systemic in Sussex Police and nor are they as a result of our driver training.”

Source location

Response from Sussex Police
Page 3 · response
Published 4 June 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Existing response-driver training is considered commensurate with College of Policing and NPCC standards, so fundamental training changes are not required.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Having reviewed the training that is delivered to response drivers by Sussex Police I am satisfied that we are delivering training that is commensurate with direction given by the College of Policing and the NPCC Driver Training lead.”

Source location

Response from Sussex Police
Page 2 · response
Published 4 June 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Existing Airwave policy sufficiently requires vehicle and personal radios to remain switched on and operational at all times.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The in-car radio (as with the personal hand-held radio issued to officers) is part of the ‘Airwave’ mobile communications network which is used throughout the UK by all emergency services. Having reviewed our policies and procedures governing their use I am satisfied that Sussex Police policy 594/2021 gives a sufficiently robust direction to all Airwave users to ensure that both their personal handsets and vehicle sets are switched on and operational at all times;”

Source location

Response from Sussex Police
Page 1 · response
Published 4 June 2021

Open published response

Other statements in published responses

These actions and other statements could not be clearly connected to one concern in this report.

Recipient-stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.2

  1. 1

    Use Telematics vehicle-management information to monitor driving and track vehicle movements.

    Stated by Sussex PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 June 2021.
  2. 2

    Use an introduced point system to enable lower-level interventions and help prevent more serious vehicle incidents.

    Stated by Sussex PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 June 2021.

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Use Telematics vehicle-management information to monitor driving and track vehicle movements.

Verbatim wording from the response

“I have also instructed ████████ to reinforce to all police drivers, the need to drive appropriately, justify their actions and plan their journey using all available information. As well as highlight that under the code of ethics, it is passengers’ duty to report any dangerous driving they witness that may put themselves or the public at risk. This will take the form of force wide messaging to all relevant officers in the force. Sussex Police has invested in Telematics, a vehicle management system which provides information about vehicles so the force can monitor how vehicles are being driven and track vehicle movements. A Driver Behaviour Working Group is also in place which reviews trends shown by Telematics, driver training, police vehicle incidents, pursuit learning and health and safety.”

Source location

Response from Sussex Police
Page 3 · response
Published 4 June 2021

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Use an introduced point system to enable lower-level interventions and help prevent more serious vehicle incidents.

Verbatim wording from the response

“A Police Vehicle Incidents meeting oversees new policy, reviews vehicle incidents and share lessons learnt. The panel also reviews behaviour of drivers and promote this through a full range of sanctions or learning outcomes. A point system has been introduced with the aim of making interventions at lower levels and avoiding more serious incidences occurring in future.”

Source location

Response from Sussex Police
Page 3 · response
Published 4 June 2021

Open published response
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Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026