As an expert witness I have been engaged for more than 400 cases. My main areas of work are:
I have provided my services for public inquiry, coroner, fatal accident inquiries, civil, criminal and misconduct cases. I have been engaged by coroners and legal teams representing the defence and prosecution/claimant. I have repeat business from the Police Federation, Police Professional Standards Departments, Police Ombudsman agencies and the Crown Office agencies.
I have employment for cases in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Isle of man, and Gibraltar.
The approximate split of cases includes:
I was a police officer for 23.5 years which included performing as a custody sergeant for 7 years and delivering custody training. I was head of the specialist training team for Cumbria Police which included all police custody training and use of force training.
I have received national awards and recognition for designing police custody training for the 2006 Safer Detention & Handling of Persons in Police Custody. In 2008 and 2009 I was a National Training Awards winner concerning design and delivery of the original Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP).
I still provide training throughout the UK concerning Police procedures, drink/drug driving and ligature deaths. I was a guest speaker at the September 2024 National Police Chiefs’ Council Custody Conference.
I have been engaged by the Public Inquiry into the restraint death of Mr Sheku Bayoh and gave my evidence over 3 days.
I hold instructor advanced awards for:
Concerning drink/drug driving procedures. I am the author of 2 books: Drink Driving Police Custody Procedures; and Drink & Drug Driving Police Procedures. I have designed nationally accredited training courses on the subject matter. As a custody officer I estimate I have conducted in excess of 1000 drink/drug drive procedures. I was an intoxilyzer operator and force supervisor, in addition to being a force trainer.
Concerning the use of force I deal with deaths and injuries involving police, prison, mental health units, SIA night time economy and hospital settings. I am regularly used by Police Professional Standards Departments, the CPS, Police Ombudsman Agencies and the Police Federation.
The use of force should never be viewed purely as a technique, as a correctly applied technique does not evidence that a use of force was necessary, reasonable or proportionate. A technique may be applied correctly but may still be:
Likewise, just because a technique is used which is not an approved technique, does not mean it cannot be justified due to the level of imminent threat the officer faced at that moment. My main sector of work is the prevention of deaths/serious injuries during police custody which includes during physical restraints/use of force. Examples demonstrate that people can die, or be injured, during a correctly applied technique due to risks not being considered prior to the use of force; the safeguards and safety control measures not being applied for that person’s demographics; or that person’s individual risks not being taken into consideration.
Concerning ligature deaths. As at February 2025 I have been engaged for 20 ligature deaths which occurred in mental health/hospital settings, prisons or police settings. I still provide training on the subject matter and have designed nationally accredited courses on the subject. I have a book publication pending on the subject matter.
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