REPS SPOTLIGHT
THE ROLE OF REPRESENTATION
As two Sussex Police officers’ wrongful conviction for common assault has been overturned, forces must do more to improve support, from resource allocation to procedural training, allowing officers to better serve their communities without fear of unjust repercussions
The recent case of Sussex Police officers PC Dan Groves and PC Dan Lott illustrates the complex, high-stakes decisions officers often face on duty. The incident highlights key issues: the potential consequences of understaffing, the importance of robust procedural support, and the critical role of Federation representatives in guiding officers through legal challenges. Sussex Police Federation Branch Secretary Andy Standing has been vocal in addressing these systemic problems and the profound impact they had on the officers’ case. The situation stemmed from a decision to transport two violent detainees in
30 | POLICE | DECEMBER | 2024
a single police van, a decision that, according to Andy, was influenced by a severe lack of resources. Typically, transporting violent detainees would require a minimum of three officers per
“Spending time on the front lines could provide PSD colleagues with valuable insight into the challenges officers encounter,”
detainee: one driving, with two officers in the back to ensure control and safety. However, due to staffing shortages, only two officers were available, leading to a situation that Andy describes as “impossible” for PCs Groves and Lott.
Reflecting on the risks faced by the officers, Andy explained, “These two officers were doing their best to make the system work but ended up facing these individuals kicking and potentially causing harm to each other and themselves,” forcing the officers into a split-second decision with limited options. After the incident, the officers’ actions were scrutinised by the Professional Standards Department (PSD) and then the
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Andy expressed frustration with the handling of the case, which was also commented on by the judge in the case, noting that a similar incident in Chichester was resolved quietly, while this case was escalated to
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