Joanne Caffrey

Author of: ‘Drink Driving. Police Custody Procedures. Safer Custody Safer Prosecutions’ ISBN: 9798866033591

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 specialist training 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).

As an expert witness I have been engaged for more than 350 cases. My main areas of work are:

·       Deaths & serious injuries in police custody

·       Use of force (all sectors)

·       Drink/drug driving procedures

·       Ligature deaths (all secure sector settings)

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 am registered with the National Crime Agency (NCA).

I still provide training throughout the UK concerning Police procedures, drink/drug driving and ligature deaths. I am 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, during restraint by Police Scotland officers. I gave evidence over 3 days.

·       Defence: 40%

·       Prosecuting authority/Claimant: 50%

·       Engaged directly by the Coroner or Public Inquiry: 10%