Surrey Police Federation on the Importance of Post-Incident Procedure

20 October 2025

It is vital that Surrey Police officers know how a Post-Incident Procedure (PIP) works and how the Federation can support them through this often challenging process.

Surrey Police Federation Chair Darren Pemble put out this message after attending the Police Federation of England and Wales’ PIP Seminar earlier this month. The seminar aimed to keep Federation PIP practitioners up to date with legislation and regulations so that they can best support their members.

Post-Incident Procedures (PIP) are carried out in all situations following police contact that have resulted in death or serious injury; revealed failings in command; or caused danger to officers or the public.

Darren said: “Officers need to understand the importance of what a Post Incident Procedure (PIP) provides. A PIP is called to obtain best evidence in a timely manner and to look after the wellbeing of officers who are subject to a procedure that looks into death and serious injury following police contact.

“Officers are designated as Key Police Witnesses (KPWs), a status that recognises that we are witnesses, not offenders. If you are not a KPW, you will be removed from the PIP process. A Post Incident Manager (PIM) will manage the PIP, ensuring that all parties are treated with dignity and respect throughout the investigation.”

The trauma officers face during a serious incident makes it necessary to capture evidence quickly, Darren added. The PIP Seminar gave an insight into the science of recall and how an officer's memory of an incident could differ from body-worn video (BWV) evidence.

Darren explained: “We are human beings who process information differently to video; we are not robots, so there needs to be a greater understanding from those investigating the police and holding us to account.

“It is human nature to have inconsistencies with memory and video; this does not mean that an officer is dishonest or lacking integrity, it is just how human recollection works.

“Video cannot accurately show what you saw, how you felt, what you smelt or why you acted in a certain way. It cannot communicate how scared you felt when confronted by a knife-wielding offender or a large crowd. It can help you to recall what the camera witnessed at the time, even if this is different to what you initially recalled.

“I urge all officers to learn more about the PIP process and how we as a Fed can support you through this process. Stay safe out there.”