Table 4 Shifts in professional roles and interrelationships amongst staff
STAFF INTERVIEWS “We are here to ensure that person’s safety and their wellbeing, regardless of what they have done. You have to detach yourself from what they have done.” (Female CO1) “Any medical screening should be done by a health care professional [and] with some sort of training. It shouldn’t be done by the custody sergeants. Some of them are very good and very knowledgeable, but I think that should be separate to the role” (Male nurse 1) “Would we have the time to do the risk assessments and see people? We can’t even get the nurses we need, let alone [more]” (Female nurse 1) “In [another police station] they have got 42 cells [and] they have two or three custody officers to oversee inputters’ risk assessments. You cannot monitor the behaviour of two detainees at the same time to make your judgement. Some poor Sergeant, hopefully not me, will be taken to task over it.” (Female CO1) “You’re just mindful of the new legislation [regarding] if someone dies in custody. If you haven’t done a half decent risk assessment you could be in a lot of trouble. You still have to write up, from your brief observations as they pass you, exactly what their issues are.” (Male CO2) | |
DETAINEE COMMENTS “They were really concerned and help was provided.” (Male Detainee 333) “They should give up the questions. It’s too much to cope with when you first come in. [They should] get the doctor for everybody.” (Male Detainee 56) |