Brave Jordon, 10, got into difficulties in a pond after rescuing his eight-year-old step-sister Bethany from the water.
The inquest into his death in Wigan heard that two police community support officers arrived at John Taylor's Pit in Standish Lower Ground before regular police officers arrived, but neither went into the water to try to save Jordon.
A senior police officer has since explained that community support officers were not trained for `major incidents'.
Distraught
The youngster was eventually dragged unconscious from the pond by his distraught step-dad Anthony Ganderton.
He had been joined in the rescue by his friend Gerry Bowern and Sgt Craig Lippitt, who arrived at the scene after receiving a radio message about the incident. Mr Ganderton and Jordon's mum Tracy are now asking why the PCSOs didn't try to rescue Jordon, why they weren't asked to give evidence at the inquest and why they weren't named.
During the hearing Mr Ganderton made several references to the fact that neither of the young PCSOs had tried to rescue his drowning step-son. Mr Ganderton said: "When we got there the PCSOs were just stood there watching. I don't know why they didn't go in. I can't understand it. If I had seen a child drowning I would have jumped in."
DCI Philip Owen, of Wigan CID, who led the police investigation into Jordon's death, told the inquest that PCSOs `are not trained to the same extent as police officers so wouldn't have been taught how to deal with a situation like this'.
Mr Ganderton said: "You don't have to be trained to jump in after a drowning child." Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Disgusting! Poor kid, poor family.
"...community support officers were not trained for `major incidents'". But they are trained as human beings - presumably. How could any adult stand and watch a child drown?
Catcher - my thoughts exactly. Does the training prevent them from just doing what any right-minded person would do?
I wonder what their fellow colleagues think of them!
Next time you are asked by someone - be it a Lap Top or a proper PC just remember these few words: "I am sorry but I have not been trained to assist you"
is this evidence that PCSOs are among the most pointless human beings on the face of the earth?
PCSOs are a waste of valuable police budget. They are wannabe coppers who are not clever enough to make the grade (even though the bar is set rather low). The number of services these people are competent to perfom can be listed on the back of a postage stamp.
Let's hope neither of them find themselves looking to the general public for help in a sticky situation. Having said that, the majority of right minded folk would help with no thought of whether they were 'trained'.
even people without PCSO training would have jumped in and tried to save the child! This mentality doesn't even bear thinking about.
PCSOs do a great deal of good work in the community, most law abiding people appreciate the work of PCSOs. Why has no one asked where the hell where the parents when a ten yr old and an 8 yr old were drowning in a pond.
Marc, how do you justify your comment? PCSO are there for Community Support and they do make a hell of a difference. You see more PCSO walking the streets then you do PC's!
How did they resist the human instinct to get in there and at least give it a go?
The PCSO's involved didn't turn up to the inquest so it doesn't give the family the answers they deserve.
but Jordan what a brave young lad!
andy, you're right. they are community support officers. so how come i never see them in the communities that need them most? i've never seen them patrolling where i work in longsight or harpurhey, or in levenshulme where i used to live. since i moved to heaton moor, however, i've seen loads of them, strolling around the nice suburban streets chatting away happily. i stand by my original comment - they're pointless. we need more REAL coppers on the street.
When calling the police, you have to give so much information you end up talking to the police for about 5 minutes on the phone. Then when the police arrive - they still ask for an explaination!?!
So why did GMP send PCSO's to a drowing incident?
No mention of any life saving equipment near the pond either!
RIP Jordon
Mickey the parents thought their children were playing safely, we've all done it.
There is a more important question to be answered here. Why did the police, if there was a percieved hazard, i.e. water in their area, not have trained personnel available? If the police are saying the PCSO's were not trained then this implies that they (the police force)are failing in their duty of care to the community by not providing appropriately trained officers for that hazard.
Secondly i hope these two officers don't try and make a claim for PTSD as a result of their service.
Totally agree with all the points raised. GMP hold your heads in shame.
Paul Kelly, Police federation spokesman summed PCSO'S up brilliantly. " They (the govt) take a person, dress them up as a Police Officer, but just don't have the same powers and training". If this is the case they need dispanding now as they are obviously as much use as a chocolate fire guard. I'm sure the taxpayer wants and deserves a better service than this.
I am a qualified nurse and a nursing officer in the St John Ambulance. I am qualified in a variety of life saving techniques, however if I come across anyone in trouble in water I would have to wait for someone to get them out for me, as I am not a good swimmer. Remember a dead First Aider is no use to anyone.
any adult who could swim and many who couldnt, would not of thought twice about going in there and doing their upmost to try and save this brave young lad. they may of not saved his life but at least they would of been safe in the knowledge that they did their best.
none of this will bring back jordan but for the family to know there we're people on the scene who could of made a huge difference must make the pain so much more unbearable.
why was my last post censored?
you failed to add my comment that lessons should be learned from this and all pcso's should in future undertake the full training that regular officers go through. i wont add the other bits you censored coz ive a feeling you'd only do it again.
Why weren't the parents there? They let their boy swim and get drowned. why balme anyone else?
I am baffled why these PCSO's did not react on instinct like Mr Manchester has mentioned. I am sure their colleagues would not be happy with these two PCSO's,and I am certain other PCSO's would have made an effort.
@Marc PCSO's do appear in iffy areas, I drive around Ainsworth in Bury,and there is a little estate there that has juveniles that are likely do cause trouble,and the PCSO that is permanently assigned their is fantastic,and she does a brilliant job. Other areas I travel in,is Beswick,Clayton and Gorton,and I do see them there
My first point is what were the parents doing letting a 8 year old child swim in a pond like this. How many times are we told that it is very dangerous to swim in place like this? In defence of these PCSO the first rule of rescue is never put yourself in danger and as it would appear that 2 people were already in the water trying to save the boy then it may be that they thought that they could do more from the bank. I feel sorry for the family of this young lad but please don’t try to push the blame onto someone else please remember that your children are your responsibility
When the call to 999 went through why wasnt a fire engine sent? Following the death of an UNTRAINED fire officer a number of years ago the fire service have trained many of their staff to try to make sure their staff dont drown on duty again. I'm sure though, that just like the Police, Fire Officers who arent trained are told NOT to enter water to rescue someone.
It's very sad that this boy has drowned and awful for the parents and family. However the Police, Fire Officers and Ambulance Personel are all trained to assess a situation and if the right equipment is not available, or the right training given, then they are creating a greater risk to themselves and other people (who then have to try and rescue the drowning person and rescuer) than if they stand back and wait for assistance.
The word I use is COWARDS. You don't need training to rescue kids from ponds, pools, or whatever. Just guts! In my time with the Met Police I pulled a kid out of the Thames. He lived. Also an attempted suicide. He was glad I'd changed his mind! You don't think about it. You do it! Like I say, the word I use is COWARDS. Harry Derbyshire, Deal, Kent.
I cannot begin to tell you the sadness I am feeling over the death of little Jordon Lyon. The only stronger feeling I have is one of total disgust. How could anybody stand by, pso's or otherwise. How Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson can have the audacity to face press with such a feeble 'they acted correctly' statement is beyond belief, almost as shocking as the comments made by Paul Kelly, Chairman of the Police Federation when he admits 'PSOs were not capable of dealing with emergency situations'. So it seems we agree PSOs REALLY are a waste of public money. Finally to the PSOs involved I say this. We the public dont expect you to be heros just basic human instincts will suffice.
Sad and disgusted
Helen Dalton
Chadderton
Oldham