Responses to 'Police perpetrated domestic abuse: Report on the CWJ super complaint'
Responses to recommendations in the report on the Centre for Women’s Justice super-complaint on how the police deal with domestic abuse cases involving police officer or police staff suspects.
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Details
In June 2022 HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), the College of Policing and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) published a report about the super-complaint submitted by the Centre for Women’s Justice which addressed the police response to domestic abuse cases in which the suspect was a police officer or a member of police staff.
The report made recommendations to chief constables, police and crime commissioners (PCCs), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the Home Office (HO). The report also included actions for the IOPC and the College of Policing. The details of these recommendations and actions are listed in the final section of the super complaint investigation report.
Information on whether organisations have accepted the recommendations made to them is provided in the letters from the ‘National Police Chiefs’ Council’ (NPCC), the MoJ, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) and the HO. Information on the actions for the College of Policing and the IOPC is provided below.
Recommendation 1 asked chief constables to write within six months to explain how their force has or will improve the response to PPDA allegations, following an audit of live and recently closed cases. An overview report of force responses to this and all recommendations to chief constables has been produced by the NPCC and is published as the “second NPCC response to recommendations.
IOPC
Action 1
This action was for the IOPC to carry out a targeted programme of oversight work in relation to police handling of PPDA.
Response
In addition to its wider work on the police response to violence against women and girls, the IOPC has developed a targeted programme that will include oversight work in relation to the police handling of PPDA. Work is already planned to carry out proactive reviews of local handling of PPDA allegations. Where appropriate, the IOPC will use its findings to develop additional guidance for the police service. The IOPC will also identify and share learning to improve policing practice in this area.
Action 3
This action was for the IOPC to consider how it could report data on police complaints involving an allegation of PPDA as part of its annual statistical release.
Response
The IOPC will review its annual data collection to determine the feasibility of producing statistics on complaints involving an allegation of PPDA and will work with police forces to introduce any changes.
College of Policing
Action 2
This action was for the College of Policing to review and update relevant ‘authorised professional practice’, guidance, training and curricula, to incorporate learning and findings from the super-complaint investigation.
Response
College of Policing domestic abuse APP will be updated to draw on findings and learning from the super-complaint investigation.
The College updated misconduct outcomes guidance has taken account of the super-complaint investigation findings. In particular, it stresses the seriousness of cases involving violence against women and girls and makes clear that ‘whether on-duty or off-duty’ this will ‘always harm public confidence in policing’. Other listed ‘aggravating factors’ (indicating a higher level of culpability and harm) include abuse of trust, position, powers or authority; concealing wrongdoing in question and/or attempting to blame others; and serious physical or psychological impact on the victim.
The College current review of vetting guidance and the Code of Ethics for policing will take account of findings from the super-complaint investigation. The revised versions are due to be published in 2023.
Learning from the super-complaint investigation and the final report has been included in the College of Policing ‘Public Protection and Safeguarding Leaders’ programme. The ‘Professionalising Investigation Programme’ Level 1 (embedded in the policing degree for new officers joining the service) will be updated to include content on domestic abuse cases involving police suspects. A ‘Domestic Abuse Matters’ course is currently being developed specifically for investigators and it will include learning from the super-complaint investigation.
Action 4. For the College of Policing and the IOPC
This action was to review different approaches to improving victim trust and confidence in the police response to PPDA allegations, particularly regarding impartiality and case confidentiality.
Response
The IOPC and the College of Policing will consult and work with partners, including third sector domestic abuse related organisations and the NPCC, on reviewing relevant practice.
Action 5. For the College of Policing and the IOPC
This action was for a learning lessons event with forces in 2023.
Response
The IOPC and the College of Policing will plan an event in 2023 which will allow forces to share promising practice and learn from each other.
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Police super-complaints: force response to police perpetrated domestic abuse
Last updated 27 January 2023 + show all updates
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The second response from the NPCC has been added to the attachments. This update has been referenced in the 'Details' area of the page, explaining the additions.
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First published.