Family Liason Officer

Question 1

What is the role of the family liason officer?

Answer 1

Involves the day to day management of the partnership between Police and family.
The primary function if the FLO is as an investigator, not support person.

Question 2

What should be recorded and considered in a Family Liaison Plan?

Answer 2

• selection of the FSO
• exit plan for FSO
• objectives
• assessment of appropriate methods of conducting interviews with family.
• information to be released/withheld from family
• requests made by family and reasons why not agreed to.
• complaints made by family and OC investigation actions to resolve issues raised
• any family member considered a suspect
• liaison with VS and other services

Question 3

Define family?

Answer 3

• includes partners, parents, siblings, children, guardians, whanau, and any others that have direct or close relationship with the victim.
• includes chosen family
• should reflect victim’s culture and lifestyle.

Question 4

Where a family member is a suspect, what factors should the OC investigation consider in their safety plan?

Answer 4

• FLO’s welfare and safety
• monitors FLO’s work and family interactions
• The level of information disclosure to FLO and family
• The process by which intelligence from FLO contact is managed.
• The need for FLO to be clear in their interactions with the family
• importance of fully documenting all interactions
• consider more experienced FLO
• Consider deputy FLO
• not using FLO for any arrest or search
• investigative or evidentiary impact of deployment
• whether or not FLO is to reside with family (May be appropriate in cases of kidnap).

Question 5

What must the FLO do before meeting the family?

Answer 5

• liaise with OC re parameters of information to be shared/held back
• familiarize with enquiry
• familiarize with information about family composition or dynamics, lifestyle, culture etc.
• familiarize with information and intelligence that could impact on role, such as previous interactions with police.
• Establish what contact family has already had with police
  Establish what information has been given to family
• Establish what information is available in public domain.

Question 6

What investigative role is the FLO also normally responsible for?

Answer 6

Profiling victim
Family tree
Gathering relevant information from family
Obtaining statement of ID

Question 7

During the early stages of an investigation, what things MUST the FLO do?

Answer 7

• Provide immediate appropriate information concerning the death of the victim and explain post mortem and coroner’s process.
• Provide colonial booklet
• Establish from family any immediate evidence, information or rumors.
• act quickly and effectively without delay if family member expresses concern for their safety or is subject to threats.
• facilitate initial practical support to the family (transport etc).
• protect from unwanted media attention
• Arrange temporary housing if home is Crime scene
• use knowledge to advise family of court or coroner processes.
• on direction of OC, Arrange for family to meet crown solicitor for explanation of decisions.

Question 8

Where an offender is arrested, what must FLO do?

Answer 8

• VNR
• ascertain views on bail
• inform of charges, court date, release on bail, name suppression and family views on suppression, bail conditions.

Question 9

Sources of people data?

Answer 9

Friends 
Colleagues 
Partners
Associates
Online or social media contacts
Hobbies or habits
Travel movements 
People along routes
Customers and suppliers
Religious leaders
Cultural associations 
Other people they come into contact with.

Question 10

Sources of passive data?

Answer 10

NIA
IMT
Medical history
Mental health records 
HSMU
Telephone records 
Internet usage
Vehicle details
Banking and financial material
Diaries, letters, personal documents 
Photographs and video footage 
Passport and immigration data.

Question 11

FLO media role?

Answer 11

Must not issue statements unless directed by oc investigation.

Should:

• prepare family for media interest
• Obtain views on any media appeals
• request family nominate spokesperson
• consult with family before release for victim details
• Provide copies of media releases before distribution.
• inform family of significant developments before release to media.
• appraise OC of media activity around family
• request approval from family to release of photograph of victim.