Professional integrity, welfare and leadership at the heart of PIP practice.

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) convened its annual Post Incident Procedure (PIP) seminar on 7-8 October 2025, led by PFEW PIP lead Leigh Godfrey. The two-day event brought together Post Incident Managers (PIMs), Federation representatives, operational leaders and legal specialists from across England and Wales to examine how police services can better protect Key Police Witnesses (KPWs) and strengthen investigative integrity after critical incidents. The seminar was sponsored by JNP Legal, Quick Mortgages, Slater and Gordon Lawyers, HCR Law, Gallagher and Compass Fostering.

Blending legal insight, psychological expertise and operational experience, the seminar traced the PIP journey from first notification through investigation and inquest. Across both days, the message was clear: effective PIP management is built on leadership, collaboration, fairness and continuous welfare.

“The whole point,” said Chief Constable and NPCC PIP Lead Simon Chesterman, “is to assist the investigation which is obviously really important but equally to look after the welfare of the key police witnesses and make sure they’re treated fairly. Unless officers have some form of protection and structure in how they provide their accounts, it really isn’t fair.”

Day One: Foundations and First Actions

The first day focused on practical learning and debate, tackling the real-world challenges of managing critical incidents while balancing investigative integrity with officer welfare. Chief Constable Chesterman opened the event by calling PIP “a defining test of leadership, fairness and organisational integrity.” He reminded delegates that what happens in the first few hours after a major incident not only protects officers but also preserves public confidence in policing itself.

Delegates heard that the PIM role is far more than a procedural duty. Its success relies on judgement, trust and visible control. The seminar explored how early Federation involvement can make or break an incident response.

Chief Inspector Pete Dearden outlined the “how-not-to” moments that too often set a PIP off course delayed appointments, unclear command, or poor communication. Each, he said, can cause unnecessary harm and confusion. By contrast, early contact with Federation representatives ensures that officers are supported, welfare is prioritised and operational coordination remains steady. “Immediate Federation engagement prevents poor starts, restores calm and helps everyone focus on the facts,” Dearden stressed.

 

Practical Setup and the Welfare Thread

Delegates examined the crucial first steps of establishing a post-incident environment — identifying and separating KPWs, preserving evidence and ensuring humane logistics. The appearance of control and care at the outset was shown to have lasting effects on both officer confidence and public perception. A key message was that welfare distinct from general wellbeing is the golden thread through every stage of PIP. It must be structured, documented and sustained, not tokenistic. Small actions like providing refreshment, privacy or reassurance may seem minor, but they demonstrate professionalism and empathy.

Memory, Evidence and Legal Clarity

Professor Fiona Gabbert delivered a thought-provoking session on the limits of human memory under stress, explaining how adrenaline and environmental cues can distort recall. Recognising those limits, she argued, protects both officers and investigations. “Systems,” she said, “must be designed to understand memory not punish it.”

Legal adviser Rob Newbould then provided clarity on the use and interpretation of Body Worn Video (BWV). His session and subsequent panel discussion explored the growing tension between an officer’s personal recollection and recorded footage. The key principle: statements are officers’ own accounts, not transcripts of BWV. Transparent and consistent handling of video evidence was emphasised as a cornerstone of trust.

Trauma, Follow-Through and Long-Term Care

Sessions on trauma reminded delegates that PIP does not end once officers leave the room. Acute, complex and delayed trauma responses require long-term management. Forces were urged to assign a single point of contact to guide affected officers through ongoing processes, including coroner involvement and welfare reviews.

Delegates heard that the Federation continues to advocate for sustained care and clear communication after incidents vital both for officers’ wellbeing and for public confidence in the fairness of investigations.

Networking and Shared Reflection

The evening dinner gave delegates space to decompress, process the day’s emotionally charged content and strengthen professional networks. Sharing lived experience in a supportive setting proved invaluable. As one attendee put it, “You can’t underestimate the value of hearing how other forces handle things it shows we’re not alone and helps us learn from each other.”

Day Two: Strategy, Law and Lessons Learned

The second day built on these foundations, linking welfare and practice to strategic communication, legal readiness and public confidence.

Opening the day, Gareth Nicholson connected the Federation’s Copped Enough campaign to welfare and operational resilience. He reminded delegates that pay, workload and wellbeing are not just industrial concerns but core to officer safety and professionalism. Delegates were urged to share experiences, engage with campaign content and support the push for better conditions as part of the wider integrity of policing.

Inquest Readiness and Representation

Legal expert Tony Williams offered a detailed breakdown of inquest procedures, stressing that effective PIP work lays the foundation for legal fairness later on. Inquests, he explained, are inquisitorial processes where candour and consistency are key. Early Federation engagement, clear Stage 3 and 4 statements, and sound record-keeping all ensure that officers are represented fairly and the service demonstrates integrity. Williams outlined representation options when Federation or Force lawyers should lead and how coordinated legal support can protect both individual officers and organisational trust.

Case Study: Lessons from Thames Valley Police

A candid Thames Valley Police case review brought the realities of PIP management vividly to life. Three KPWs shared their perspectives alongside the PIM’s own reflections, providing an unfiltered look at how early decisions shape later consequences.

Delegates were reminded of available PFEW welfare support, given the sensitive nature of the material. The session illuminated the ripple effects of communication breakdowns, welfare missteps and unclear command but also showed how good practice can make a decisive difference.

“It’s been a fabulous opportunity to refresh your knowledge, network with colleagues and share best practice,” said Detective Inspector Neil Craig, Northumbria Police Federation CAPLO officer. “We’ve been able to bring learning straight back to our forces.”

Interactive Reflection and Legal Deep-Dive

A dedicated Q&A allowed delegates to probe decision-making in real time, reflecting on lessons applicable across forces. Discussions reinforced the importance of early clarity on command structures, debriefing every PIP for learning, and recognising the emotional burden that critical incidents place on both witnesses and managers.

Later, legal specialists revisited the statutory framework governing inquests including the Coroners and Justice Act, rights to anonymity, and the civil standard of proof. Delegates were reminded that PIP is not merely a post-incident protocol but the groundwork for all future scrutiny.

Comparing Cases: Communication and Trust

Further case comparisons including the Mouayed Bashir and Jeffrey Llewellyn investigations illustrated the consequences of poor versus proactive practice. Where information gaps and delays eroded trust in one, consistent PIM-Federation-KPW communication in the other built reassurance and transparency. The takeaway: regular contact, documented decisions and adaptable welfare plans protect everyone involved.

Operational Insights from Op Infuse

A panel from Operation Infuse bridged operational and human perspectives, sharing first-hand experiences from PIMs and KPWs alike. Their stories underscored the value of clear leadership, privacy, timely updates and genuine welfare factors that prevent secondary trauma and preserve fairness. The session also tackled specialist needs such as anonymity, use of screens, and tailored representation for negotiators or firearms officers.

“This year’s sessions were much more condensed and practical,” said Hayley Marsland, Post Incident Coordinator for West Yorkshire Police. “The Thames Valley case was incredibly informative. It reassured us that we’re on the right track and showed how other forces are evolving their own approaches.”

Lessons in Leadership

Across both days, the unifying themes were early leadership, collaboration and humane logistics. Delegates concluded that effective PIP management hinges on early appointment of a capable PIM, immediate Federation engagement and an unwavering commitment to welfare.

The 2025 seminar demonstrated the Federation’s commitment to continuous professional learning and officer welfare at every stage of a critical incident. Combining rigorous legal and psychological expertise with real operational experience, it equipped delegates to protect KPWs, reduce avoidable legal risk and embed welfare as a professional standard, not an afterthought.

Delegates left with checklists, updated BWV handling guidance, inquest preparation templates and interview technique frameworks tangible tools designed for immediate application in their forces. The seminar’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) value was clear: attendees gained both accredited learning and real-world insight to improve practice. The event also fostered stronger peer networks, ensuring ongoing emotional and professional support beyond the seminar itself a key part of embedding lasting change.

Next year’s Post Incident Procedure Seminar will take place on 6-7 October 2026.