A handbook to enable investigators and supervisors to have access to the current and relevant information for support and guidance in dealing with domestic abuse cases.
| Does it work? |
Untested – new or innovative
|
|---|---|
| Focus |
Organisational
|
| Topic |
Intelligence and investigation
Leadership, development and learning
Operational policing
Violence against women and girls
Violence (other)
Vulnerability and safeguarding
|
| Organisation | |
|
HMICFRS report
|
|
| Contact |
Samuel Blakemore |
| Email address | |
| Region |
North East
|
| Partners |
Police
Criminal justice (includes prisons, probation services)
Health services
Local authority
Voluntary/not for profit organisation
|
| Stage of practice |
The practice is implemented.
|
| Start date |
|
| Scale of initiative |
Local
|
| Target group |
Children and young people
Offenders
Victims
Workforce
|
Aim
To provide current, relevant information to support investigators and supervisors involved in the investigation and associated safeguarding of domestic abuse (DA).
Intended outcome
The intended outcomes of the DA handbook are to:
- improve the confidence of investigators and supervisors in making operational decisions
- improve investigation outcomes
- improve DA services to victims
- bring more offenders to justice
Description
The force has produced a DA handbook for investigators and supervisors as part of its ‘back to basics’ approach to investigations.
The handbook covers the entire domestic abuse process. It brings together key points from individual force policies and includes links to external sources such as the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice (APP). The DA handbook also covers policy and practice from the initial report to conclusion of the investigation. This includes referral processes, safeguarding, victim engagement and quality investigations.
The handbook covers the importance of safeguarding, victim engagement, quality investigations and use of protective orders. It can be accessed via the force intranet and can also be printed off as a hard copy.
The handbook is the responsibility of the investigator. As part of their wider responsibilities, they will regularly review feedback and the content to update the handbook accordingly with any changes at a national or local level around policy or practice.
The handbook is regularly referenced at continued professional development (CPD) events with investigators.
Overall impact
Feedback has regularly been provided, highlighting the quality of the handbook and its usefulness in assisting investigators and supervisors working on domestic abuse cases.
There is no current data available to show how much the handbook is being accessed or used.
Learning
- It is essential that investigators and supervisors have confidence in the handbook by ensuring the content is relevant and current.
- It is essential that the handbook can be easily assessed.
- The handbook requires regular review and updating.
It is important to get continuous feedback from investigators and supervisors on the content.