Family Harm Policies & Procedures

Question 1

There are 6 principles that guide Police practice in Family Harm response. List these

Answer 1

ECSRAW

1. Early intervention
2. Culturally appropriate
3. Safety
4. Risk information - (collect)
5. Accountability
6. Working collaboratively

Question 2

Family harm exists against a backdrop of ‘adverse circumstances’. What are the three listed ‘adverse circumstances’?

Answer 2

• Vulnerabilities
• Compounding factors
• Negative behaviours

Question 3

What does the Duluth Power and Control Wheel highlight?

Answer 3

The tactics of abuse most universally experienced by battered women. Tactics include intimidation, isolation, emotional and economic abuse and using children to manipulate.

Question 4

The material outlines a common example of intimidation abusers use - what is that?

Answer 4

Overt threats and actual harm to animals as a tool to control their family. 36.5% of victims report a pet or animal injured or killed.

Question 5

What are the seven steps involved in the ‘key process point’ of ‘initial response’ in Family Harm?

Answer 5

1. Establish context and circumstances, parties involved and roles
2. Dynamic assessment
3. Frontline safety plan
4. Quality narrative
5. Submitting and approving a family harm investigation
6. Provide information to other agencies
7. Appropriate coding

Question 6

What is the ‘primary consideration’ in the key process point of ‘bail’?

Answer 6

The need to protect the victim of the alleged offence, and any particular person or people in a family relationship with the victim

Question 7

What step can you take to contribute to longer term safety, support and intervention?

Answer 7

Sharing relevant information internally and at multi-agency tables for longer term safety planning and action

Question 8

Will employees who inflict family harm be subject to to the processes of the Code of Conduct?

Answer 8

Yes.

Question 9

When responding to family harm episodes involving its employees, Police must balance what?

Answer 9

It’s 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

Question 10

What two simultaneous actions should occur when employees are found to be involved in family harm episodes?

Answer 10

1. The normal Police response applies
2. Welfare considerations are important for both parties and the shift supervisor should, where appropriate, refer the matter to the local Welfare Officer

Question 11

When an employee is involved in a family harm episode, what else must the Police carefully consider?

Answer 11

The impact of criminal offending on ability of employee to remain a Police employee and;

The compatibility of an employee convicted or found guilty of a family violence offence and/or being the respondent of a protection order, to continue in a policing role.

Question 12

Do the policies and procedures concerning police employees and family harm come in to play even when a supervisor becomes aware of it through anecdotal evidence alone?

Answer 12

Yes

Question 13

What level/rank is responsible for ensuring policies and procedures operate within a district?

Answer 13

District Commanders and National Managers

Question 14

Are disclosures made about family harm by employees confidential?

Answer 14

Yes - unless the conduct disclosed is of such a nature that it should be investigated or prosecuted

Question 15

Employees who suspect another employee is involved in family harm are encouraged to do what?

Answer 15

Report to own supervisor or a Welfare Officer

Question 16

Who should respond to complaints of family harm made by spouses or partners of police employees?

Answer 16

Family violence coordinators/family harm specialists

Question 17

What if police attend a family harm event where police employees are involved but no offence is disclosed - do attending officers still have to report to supervisor?

Answer 17

Yes - confidentially. The supervisor will then contact a Welfare Officer

Question 18

What must the shift supervisor do when an employee is found to have committed a family violence offence?

Answer 18

Must report immediately to the District Employee Practice Manager and PPC Manager, who then advises District Commander or National Manager. (Victim and, if appropriate, offender must be offered welfare support through EAP).

Question 19

If an employee is charged or convicted of a family violence offence, what must Employee Practice Manager do, in consultation with National Manager: PPC?

Answer 19

Consider employee’s suitability to continue working in their current role and if any variation in duties is appropriate

Question 20

An officer serves a Protection Order on a police employee. What are they then required to do?

Answer 20

Send a copy of it to the employee’s District Commander or National Manager

Question 21

An employee is served a Protection Order - what must they now do?

Answer 21

Report this and the details of it in writing to their supervisor, who then informs HR Manager and PPC Manager.

Question 22

In rare cases, Police MAY assist an employee in an application for a variation to the standard condition of Protection Orders not to have access to firearms. Before supporting such a variation, what inquiries must be made?

Answer 22

Must consider the nature, duration and type of family harm disclosed, any offence history, the employee’s role and the views of any person protected by the order. (Final decision on whether Police will support such a variation will be made by DCE People in consultation with Nat Manager: Criminal Investigations).

Question 23

If any Police employee is directed or wishes to attend programmes or counselling to resolve issues relating to family harm, what should a supervisor do?

Answer 23

Take all practicable steps to facilitate this.