Download the consultation letter on revised draft PACE codes of ...

Building a fair, just and safer communityThe proposed changes which are available separately for <strong>consultation</strong> are outlinedbelow.Code C (Detention, Treatment and Questioning of Persons by Police Officers)Healthcare for detained persons in police custody suites is provided by ForensicMedical Officers. Consideration is being given to broaden <strong>the</strong> scope of healthcareprovision to that provided by appropriate healthcare professionals. See Appendix 1.Code E (Audio recording of interviews with suspects) and Code F (Visual recordingwith sound of interviews with suspects)Tape recordings are becoming outdated and <strong>the</strong> Code revisions are required to keepabreast of technological developments by making provision for gradual introduction ofsecure digital audio and visual (with sound) recording equipment in police custodysuites.Code H (Detention, Treatment and Questioning of terrorism suspects)Revisions create <strong>the</strong> same flexibility for delivery of healthcare to people detained underterrorism legislation and mirror those in Code C.O<strong>the</strong>r revisions arise as a consequence of terrorism policy changes that are exceptedmatters. In summary -• The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights was critical of <strong>the</strong> lengthyperiods of detention without charge of some terrorist suspects and post chargequestioning is being brought in by way of remedy. This is to encourage <strong>the</strong>police to lay charges at <strong>the</strong> earliest opportunity but with <strong>the</strong> proviso that fur<strong>the</strong>rquestioning may be permitted, subject to judicial oversight, should new evidencecome to light.• 28-day detention of terrorist suspects is subject to annual renewal. It has notbeen renewed this year and is to be repealed as part of <strong>the</strong> Protection ofFreedoms Bill. Detention will <strong>the</strong>refore revert to a 14-day limit, but an emergencyBill is to be held at Westminster to enable a reversion to 28 days in extremis.Code amendments need to reflect <strong>the</strong> new 14 day limit and <strong>the</strong> contingencyarrangement of 28 days.The consequential Code H revisions set out operational guidance for <strong>the</strong> police andprovide necessary safeguards and protections for people detained under terrorismlegislation.A new terrorism code of practice issued under s41 of, and Schedule 8 to, <strong>the</strong> TerrorismAct 2000 and section 25 of <strong>the</strong> Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 for <strong>the</strong> video recording withsound of interviews in terrorism cases is being published separately for <strong>consultation</strong> andwill be accessible throughhttp://www.nio.gov.uk/index/public-<strong>consultation</strong>/documents.htm