Second NPCC response to recommendations – cover letter
Updated 27 January 2023
Applies to England and Wales
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From:
Martin Hewitt QPM Chair, National Police Chiefs’ Council
Craig Guildford QPM NPCC Complaints & Misconduct Lead
Louise Rolfe OBE NPCC Lead for Domestic Abuse
To:
Iain Raphael Assistant Chief Constable
Sent on:
30 December 2022
Dear Iain,
RE: Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) super-complaint – ‘Police Perpetrated Domestic Abuse’
Following my letter dated 5th September outlining whether forces accepted the recommendations made within the original report we now write to you to share the final overview report produced after the collation of detailed responses received from forces.
We are pleased to say we have received detailed responses from each Home Office force and in addition, Police Service of Northern Ireland, British Transport Police and Civil Nuclear Constabulary (46 in total).
The overview report has demonstrated that forces have made significant progress in reviewing and addressing the recommendations made in the CWJ super-complaint report. However, it is recognised improvements are still necessary. While there continues to be some inconsistency across policing in its response to police perpetrated domestic abuse (PPDA), the elements of innovative practice highlighted in our report will be further explored and shared nationally. Some inconsistency is attributable to forces having adopted different approaches in consequence of both their resource base and force operating models. In light of this and the fact that forces are still tailoring change in responding to the super complaint recommendations, a degree of divergence can be expected at this time.
To further support all forces in tackling the recommendations highlighted in the CWJ report there is ongoing work within the National Portfolios of Domestic Abuse, Complaints and Misconduct and Vetting to strengthen the response against PPDA and root out those individuals who are not suitable to be in the police service. Although not an exhaustive list, some of this work is shared below:
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Nationally driving a training regime to ensure PSD investigators are equipped with current criminal investigation practice, educated on the impact of police perpetrated violence against women and girls and seeking expertise from specially trained rape, sexual assault, and domestic abuse investigators. This brings a consistency of approach and decision making across all forces.
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Working with the College of Policing and several other stakeholders in the redesign of the Code of Ethics, so that it properly reflects and supports modern day policing and continues to set appropriate standards of behaviour.
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Working with the Home Office Police Integrity Unit in undertaking a review into the process of police dismissals, to ensure it is effective and that the public can be confident that those falling short of high standards can be properly removed from policing.
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Training and Continued Professional Development of staff remains key to improving standardisation and consistency of approach across forces. Work is ongoing within the portfolios to develop bespoke training packages.
We hope the attached report provides reassurance that we are committed to addressing the issues highlighted within the CWJ super-complaint and working to build the trust and confidence of victims and the public.