FLO Flashcards
The role of the FLO
Involves the day-to-day management of the partnership between the family of the deceased and the Police investigation.
The primary function of an FLO is that of an investigator and not a support person. However, in performing this role the FLO must also offer, facilitate and coordinate support that addresses the needs of the family.
Family liaison plan.
When formulating the plan there must be an endeavour to achieve a partnership approach with the family.
The level of involvement of the FLO and tasks allocated to them must be governed by this plan.
The plan should be developed and must consider the needs of the family, and lines of inquiry and all available intelligence.
The plan is dynamic and must be reviewed with the FLO on a regular basis.
What matters should be considered when developing the family liaison plan?
Criteria and selection of the FLO.
Exit plan.
Objectives of the family liaison.
Assessing the most appropriate methods of interview with family members.
Information released to and withheld from family.
Requests from the family not agreed to and reasons for this.
Complaints by the family and the OCI’s action.
Any suspects among the family.
Liaison with victim support and other services.
Exit plan.
Must be developed before the FLO is deployed.
Must be communicated to the family at commencement of the deployment.
The term family
Includes partners, siblings, children, guardians, whanau, and any others who have had direct and close relationship with the victim.
Includes chosen family.
Should reflect victims culture and lifestyle.
Risk assessment or appreciation before deployment.
This will be particularly relevant in cases where a family member is considered a suspect.
Continuous review of the deployment.
The OCI must continuously review the appointment of the FLO and consider the suitability of the officer for retention in the role, Whether additional FLOs should be appointed, the needs and wishes of the family.
Suspect with in the family.
The OCI must review the plan regularly which should consider:
The FLOs welfare and safety.
Increased monitoring of the FLOs work and interaction with the family.
The level of information disclosure to the FLO.
The management process of intelligence coming from the FLO.
The need for the FLO to be clear in their interactions with the family.
The importance of fully documenting all contact and interactions with the family.
The possibility of deploying a more experienced FLO.
Deploying a deputy FLO.
Not using the FLO and in the search or arrest of a family member.
Investigative or evidential impact of deployment.
Whether or not the FLO will reside with the family.
Cultural liaison
The FLO should identify the cultural origins of the victims family and ensure they are familiar with relevant beliefs and protocols to enhance relations and contribute to the victim profile.
In cases involving Maori victims an ILO should be involved from the earliest stage.
Traditions, beliefs and values of Maori should be respected wherever possible within the confines of the integrity of the investigation.
Victim support.
The FLO must inform the family of the existence of victim support at the earliest appropriate opportunity and then inform the OCI of the family’s wishes.
Ongoing liaison must be established between the FLO and victim support to ensure the information that is given to the family is consistent avoiding confusion or embarrassment.
FLO duties.
The FLO is primarily an investigative role and any urgent information they discover must be conveyed quickly to the OCI.
E.g. family members who are vulnerable or significant witnesses or family member considered to be a suspect.
What should the FLO do ASAP before meeting the family?
Liaise closely with the OCI re-parameters of information to be shared or held back from the family.
Familiarise themselves with the inquiry.
Familiarise themselves with information concerning the family, ie composition of, dynamics, culture, lifestyle, religion and communication requirements.
Familiarise themselves with available information and Intel such as previous Police involvement with the victim’s family.
Establish what contact the family has had with Police since the incident.
Establish what info has been given to the family.
Establish what information re-the incident is in the public domain.
What financial support is available to families of homicide victims?
Financial assistance is available through victim support on behalf of the crown solicitor.
A $1500 grant is available.
Free counselling for families of murder and manslaughter victims. Six hours/15 and maximum 30 hours might be approved.
ACC can help to wards cremation and related ceremonies.
Disclosure of information to the family.
The OCI authorises information released to the family. The family should be notified of:
Programs, remedies, services.
Progress of the investigation.
The family’s role as witnesses in the prosecution.
Disclosure to family when an offender is arrested.
Advise family of rights to register on the VNR. Provide a pol 1065.
Seek family’s views to bail and report to the court in the opposition to bail pol 128.
Inform the victims family of:
Charges laid or reasons not laid.
Date and place of court appearance.
Released on bail.
Applications for bail made, name suppression.
Outcomes of such applications.
Details of bail conditions.
