PFD report

Suleyman Yalcin · Prevention of Future Deaths report

Pin Get email alerts Request correction

Issued 20 Nov 2018•North London

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
3

Raised in this report

Recipients
1

Named on the report

Responses found
1

Of 1 recipient

Stated actions
10

Described in responses

Recipients and published responses

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

Open published report

Concerns and recipient responses

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

Concerns raised3

  1. Police under-resourcing
  2. Inadequate police terminology for describing the urgency of situations
  3. Insufficient refresher training in emergency response driving
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.9

  1. Action

    Continuously review officer availability to respond to incidents across Basic Command Units.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 10 May 2019.
  2. Action

    Maintain mandatory emergency response driving refresher training for all MPS officers every three to five years under the revised driving policy.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 May 2019.
  3. Action

    Implement the Basic Command Unit model to enable flexible deployment of resources across borough boundaries.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 May 2019.

Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.7

  1. Position

    The BCU structure, resource flexibility and continuing availability reviews are considered sufficient to manage police resourcing against operational demand.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.

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

Police under-resourcing

Wider context from the report

“2, Police under resourcing ”

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 police terminology for describing the urgency of situations

Wider context from the report

“3, Inadequate police terminology to describe the urgency of the situation to which the driver was responding. ”

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

Insufficient refresher training in emergency response driving

Wider context from the report

“1, Insufficient refresher training in emergency response driving given to the driver of the van. ”

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

Continuously review officer availability to respond to incidents across Basic Command Units.

Verbatim wording from the response

“This policing restructure allows us to make best use of our available resources and the BCU’s will constantly review the availability of officer to respond to incidents.”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police2
Page 2 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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

Maintain mandatory emergency response driving refresher training for all MPS officers every three to five years under the revised driving policy.

Verbatim wording from the response

“████████ was a qualified response driver under the MPS Driving Policy and training regime in place prior to 1st October 2015. The regime in place at the time comprised of ‘check tests’ being conducted by qualified officers. ████████ completed this in line with the then policy. He is due to receive his next refresher training later this year in accordance with the new MPS Driving Policy, which adheres to the College of Policing’s Roads Policing and Police Driving Learning Programme. All MPS officers now undertake refresher training every 3 to 5 years. I trust that this new regime of refresher training addresses your matter of concern.”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police2
Page 1 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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

Implement the Basic Command Unit model to enable flexible deployment of resources across borough boundaries.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The MPS seeks to balance available resources at times against operational demand, and flexing resources to respond to peaks and critical issues. Since 2017 the MPS has undergone a significant restructure with the implementation of the Basic Command Unit (BCU) model with the final phase being completed in February 2019. The responsibility of implementing the model and operational delivery lies with local”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police2
Page 1 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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

Train call handlers and dispatchers to clarify the reason and specific needs for urgent requests and record them in the Computer Aided Despatch system.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Since DAC Martin’s response dated 6th February 2019 I have been updated that our Command and Control Centre (MetCC) informed all call handlers to remind them to always clarify the reason for their request and record this on the Computer Aided Despatch system. This issue has also been incorporated into their professional development days (training days) which started on 5th February 2019. Call despatch courses now include a session on clarifying terminology in these situations.”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police2
Page 2 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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

Remind staff to seek further clarification when necessary to justify an urgent assistance request.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Whilst we recognise the use of MPS terminology, we will seek to remind our staff that if required, further clarification should be sought to justify the request. The MPS are committed to enhancing our training and this will be incorporated in Met CC professional development days and initial training for all operational staff.”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police
Page 3 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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

Continuously review resourcing and demand across the Metropolitan Police Service to maintain operational effectiveness.

Verbatim wording from the response

“At the inquest, the jury heard that the police van involved in the collision with Mr Yalcin was travelling from Hackney Borough to an incident in Haringey. Police vehicles have always responded to requests to support colleagues in neighbouring boroughs during serious incidents. Resourcing and demand across the MPS is constantly reviewed to maintain operational effectiveness; this flexibility is essential in preventing crime and keeping London safe.”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police
Page 2 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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

Implement the programme integrating 32 boroughs into 12 Basic Command Units to provide operational resilience and consistency.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The MPS has implemented a programme to incorporate thirty two boroughs into 12 Basic Command Units (BCUs), providing resilience and consistency across London to help the MPS meet its financial and operational challenges.”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police
Page 2 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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

Deliver three- to five-year refresher training to response, covert advanced and advanced car drivers, completing the current five-year cycle by October 2020.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Prior to 2015, drivers were locally assessed by an experienced advanced driver who was qualified as an MPS driving assessor. In 2015 the Roads Policing and Police Driving Learning Programme set out national learning standards for police driving, including the delivery of driver refresher training. On 1st October 2015, the MPS Driving School introduced a three to five year refresher training course for all response car, covert advanced car and advanced car drivers; this is delivered by a suitably trained driving instructor and complies with the nationally recognised APP. By October 2020, this group of drivers will have received refresher training by the MPS Driving School which will complete the five year cycle.”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police
Page 1 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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

Incorporate enhanced training on urgent-request clarification into Met Command and Control professional development days and initial training for operational staff.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Whilst we recognise the use of MPS terminology, we will seek to remind our staff that if required, further clarification should be sought to justify the request. The MPS are committed to enhancing our training and this will be incorporated in Met CC professional development days and initial training for all operational staff.”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police
Page 3 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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 BCU structure, resource flexibility and continuing availability reviews are considered sufficient to manage police resourcing against operational demand.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The MPS seeks to balance available resources at times against operational demand, and flexing resources to respond to peaks and critical issues. Since 2017 the MPS has undergone a significant restructure with the implementation of the Basic Command Unit (BCU) model with the final phase being completed in February 2019. The responsibility of implementing the model and operational delivery lies with local”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police2
Page 1 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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

Implementation and operational delivery of the BCU model rests with local leadership teams, ultimately BCU commanders.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The MPS seeks to balance available resources at times against operational demand, and flexing resources to respond to peaks and critical issues. Since 2017 the MPS has undergone a significant restructure with the implementation of the Basic Command Unit (BCU) model with the final phase being completed in February 2019. The responsibility of implementing the model and operational delivery lies with local”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police2
Page 1 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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 phrase “on the hurry up” is recognised language for requesting assistance, so the MPS does not propose changing it.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The use of the terminology ‘on the hurry up’, is a recognised use of language to request additional support and assistance at the scene of an incident. It is MetCC’s responsibility to command and control police radio communications; this involves clarifying the reasons for the request and deploying units according to urgency, risk and operational priorities. The MPS does not propose to a change in the language, but clarity as to the specific needs is now incorporated into the revised training above.”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police2
Page 2 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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 revised MPS driving policy requires refresher training every three to five years and is considered sufficient to address the training concern.

Verbatim wording from the response

“████████ was a qualified response driver under the MPS Driving Policy and training regime in place prior to 1st October 2015. The regime in place at the time comprised of ‘check tests’ being conducted by qualified officers. ████████ completed this in line with the then policy. He is due to receive his next refresher training later this year in accordance with the new MPS Driving Policy, which adheres to the College of Policing’s Roads Policing and Police Driving Learning Programme. All MPS officers now undertake refresher training every 3 to 5 years. I trust that this new regime of refresher training addresses your matter of concern.”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police2
Page 1 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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

Cross-borough deployment, demand reviews and BCU restructuring provide sufficient flexibility and resilience to address police resourcing pressures.

Verbatim wording from the response

“At the inquest, the jury heard that the police van involved in the collision with Mr Yalcin was travelling from Hackney Borough to an incident in Haringey. Police vehicles have always responded to requests to support colleagues in neighbouring boroughs during serious incidents. Resourcing and demand across the MPS is constantly reviewed to maintain operational effectiveness; this flexibility is essential in preventing crime and keeping London safe.”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police
Page 2 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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 terminology was not inadequate because the National Decision Model requires drivers to assess risk regardless of the wording used.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The term “on the hurry up” is a widely used term within the police service and means assistance is required as quickly as possible due to officers being involved in a volatile or dangerous situation, for themselves and/or members of the public. The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 exempt emergency vehicles being used for police purposes from:”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police
Page 2 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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 van driver was appropriately trained to exceed the statutory speed limit during an emergency response.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The driver of the police van was appropriately trained to drive above the statutory speed limit, whilst responding to an emergency request for assistance. He was consequently acting in accordance with legislation, the College of Policing APP and the MPS Police Driver and Vehicle Policy.”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police
Page 2 · response
Published 10 May 2019

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.1

  1. 1

    Use subject matter experts and working groups to apply evidence-based innovation and update police driving standards.

    Stated by Metropolitan Police ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 May 2019.

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 subject matter experts and working groups to apply evidence-based innovation and update police driving standards.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Evidence based innovation is used through subject matter experts and working groups to update standards so police drivers remain adaptable, resilient and safe.”

Source location

2018-0368-Response-by-Metropolitan-Police
Page 2 · response
Published 10 May 2019

Open published response
Back to top

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