Ms. Joanne Caffrey

As an expert witness I have been engaged for more than 700 cases around the UK. My main areas of work are:

• Deaths & serious injuries in police custody

• Police procedures from point of initial detention/arrest until the person is charged

• 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 police gross 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 completed the Expert Witness with Bond Solon Legal Training in conjunction with Cardiff University Law School.

I was a police officer for 23.5 years which included performing as a custody sergeant for 7 years and then designing and delivering police custody training. I was head of the specialist training team for Cumbria Police which included all police custody training, use of force and first aid 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 was a guest speaker at the Independent Drug Expert Alliance (IDEA) 2025 CPD conference concerning drug intoxication and police custody.

I have worked as an advisor for the BBC, STV and Panorama police investigations.

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

The approximate split of cases includes:

• Defence: 50%

• Prosecuting authority/Claimant: 40%

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

I hold BTEC advanced awards for:

• Self-defence instruction

• Safe and effective use of the emergency response belt

• Safe and effective use of restraint equipment

• Conflict management training

• Physical restraint instruction

I have multiple engagements concerning use of force mostly by police officers. I am regularly engaged by Police Professional Standards Departments, the CPS and Police Ombudsman Agencies, in addition to the Police Federation. I attend criminal, civil and gross misconduct hearings.

The use of force should never be viewed purely as a technique, as a correctly applied technique does not evidence that the use of force was necessary, reasonable or proportionate. 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.

Deaths in police custody may occur due to a combination of factors. I have been engaged for deaths in police custody where detainees have died in their cells. Common errors have included:

• Severe intoxication not being recognised as a medical risk

• Head injuries not being recognised as a medical risk

• Withdrawals not being recognised as a medical emergency

• Care plans and levels of observations not being correctly applied

• Rousing procedures not being conducted correctly

• Custody staff and HCPs not communicating effectively with each other

• Custody records not being a reliable source of risk and care information

• The HCPs not being brought to assess detainees for fitness to detain or review assessments

• Staff too ready to assume a detainee is feigning illness

I have been involved with Gross Misconduct and Manslaughter investigations concerning deaths in police custody

Professional Expert Witness with Bond Solon Legal Training in conjunction with Cardiff University Law School.

Further information on my training and consulting operations can be found at: www.totaltrain.co.uk