Lamont Roper
7 Sept 2023 · Coroner Andrew Walker · North London
The coroner's concerns
1. lack of suitable water rescue equipment
“consider whether there is any alternative and less cumbersome water rescue equipment [to throw lines] that could be issued to officers on patrol near bodies of water”
2. dangerous cycle patrols near water
“the risks of cycle patrols near to bodies of water outweighs the benefits”
3. lack of situational awareness of rescue resources
“officers conducting pre-planned operations along stretches of a canal or other bodies of water to make themselves aware of the availability (or non-availability) of water rescue equipment”
4. delayed dive team response
“ensure that its officers are made aware the MPS dive team can attend a critical incident involving someone submerged in water even when the team are not on call and / or at night”
5. absence of throw lines in vehicles
“[throw lines] must be available and issued to all MPS marked emergency vehicles”
6. insufficient qualified divers
“increase the number of qualified divers available to the police to assist with the respond to an incident”