Family harm Flashcards
What are the principles that guide police practice and family harm?
Early intervention
Culturally appropriate response
Safety
Collecting risk information
Accountability
Working collaboratively.
What are the key process points for a quality FH investigation?
- Initial response
- Investigation and crime scene exam
- Interviewing witnesses, victims and suspects.
- CPP referral/Pol 350 in On Duty.
- Considering arrest
- Charging
- Bail
- Prosecution or case disposition
- Longer term safety, support and intervention.
- Monitoring and evaluation
Who can authorise Police bail of a family harm offender?
You must have the authority of a Sergeant or above before releasing a Family Harm defendant on police bail.
Only after 24 hours.
What happens when an offender is on electronic monitored bail at an address and they are served a police safety order?
They will be unable to remain at the address for the duration of the order and therefore unable to comply with their bail conditions. They would have to tell the court to modify their conditions. Police should consider opposing continuation of EM bail at that address.
What must you do if you have to serve a protection order on a serving police officer?
You are required to send a copy of it to the employees District Commander.
What must an officer do if they receive a protection order?
They must immediately report the fact in writing including the full details to their supervisor who must then inform the HR manager and professional conduct.
If the officer does not report immediately, it may be viewed as an aggravating factor when considering the nature of the conduct disclosed.
What happens to an officer who is the respondent of a protection order in relation to the use of weapons and firearms?
A protection order prevents the possession or use of any weapons including firearms. This means employee cannot carry their appointments or use a firearm without being in breach of the order. Police must ensure the officer cannot access firearms.
Police can in rare cases seek to vary the standard condition related to firearms to allow officer to carry out their full duties.
Police employees and family harm
What should you do when a police employee is involved in a family harm episode?
A normal police response applies
Welfare considerations are important for both parties and the shift supervisor should refer to the local welfare officer.
Police must consider the impact of any criminal offending on the ability of the employee to remain and the compatibility of an employee convicted of a family violence event.
Will family harm with police employees be tolerated by Police?
Family harm is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated or condoned by the police.
When responding to family harm episodes involving its employees, Police must balance its responsibilities as an employer to support employees and their families and to act consistently and appropriately, with the public interest and the reputation of Police in mind.
When can police issue a PSO against a child age 16 or 17?
When there is no alternative to a PSO and there are reasonable grounds to believe it is necessary to help make that child’s family member safe from family violence.
This should be the last option and should only be issued where it is permitted by the act.
What are the special circumstances you can use to issue a PSO on a 16 or 17 year old?
When there are reasonable grounds to believe that the issue of the PSO is necessary to help make a person at risk safe from serious family violence
There is a high level of concern
You have approval from a senior Sergeant or above
The senior Sergeant has consulted with OT.
What should you do when you have issued a PSO on a child?
Complete 5F
Follow joint guidance from Police and OT
Record decision-making and consult with OT
Record justification for duration
Insure family are fully informed
Update NIA
