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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Iain McKinnonORCiD, Dr Tracy Finch
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Background In the UK, police custody officers have a responsibility to screen for health morbidity and vulnerability among detainees. This study aimed to develop an understanding of the barriers to performing effective health screening in police custody suites, understand the impact of screening tools on practice within the custody suite, and to identify factors that could hinder or facilitate the future implementation of a new screening intervention in this environment. Methods A qualitative study was conducted alongside a quantitative evaluation of a novel screening tool. Qualitative methods included observation of the custody environment, semi-structured interviews with police staff, and elicitation of comments from detainees about their experiences of screening. Data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. Normalization Process Theory (NPT) was used to inform data collection and as a framework for higher level analysis of findings. Results Five themes were identified that develop understanding of the integration of health screening within custody: the workability of the screening tool and its items; the effect of the custody environment and the people therein; shifts in professional roles and interrelationships amongst staff; Cultural responses to risk and liability in police work; how infrastructure, knowledge and skills can impact on detainee safety. Conclusions Risk assessment screening in police custody is a complex and demanding activity which extends beyond the delivery of a screening tool. Professional roles, the demanding environment and police culture impacts on the overall process. Recommendations for improved integration of health and risk assessment screening in wider police custody practice are proposed.
Author(s): McKinnon I, Finch T
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: BMC Public Health
Year: 2018
Volume: 18
Online publication date: 22/03/2018
Acceptance date: 08/03/2018
Date deposited: 13/03/2018
ISSN (electronic): 1471-2458
Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5271-6
