Initial Response Flashcards
What are the primary functions of the initial Police Responders?
- attending the scene at an early stage
- taking control of the situation and
- co-ordinating tasks.
Who is responsible for health and safety?
Maximising safety and eliminating or minimising risk at work is the responsibility of all Police employees and persons engaged by Police to provide a service. It is delivered through meeting the obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and Police safety policies
What tool is used to assess health and safety risks?
TENR
What is the expectation of the Commissioner and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015?
It is that persons in the workplace will:
- take reasonable care to ensure that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons
- comply as far as they are reasonably able to with any reasonable instruction that is given in order to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 or regulations under that Act.
- co-operate with any reasonable policy or procedure relating to health or safety at the workplace that has been notified to them
- take immediate action to stop any perceived or potential breach of the act or if impractical, immediately report the matter to a supervisor.
Whilst most offences of homicide are identified as a result of a body being found or by a person responsible for the offence making admissions, some incidents notified to the police are not initially identifiable as a homicide. Such instances may include:
- report of a missing person
- sudden unexplained death of an infant
- unexplained death
- report of an abduction
- report of violence where no fatalities are anticipated
- crime scene without a body present
- hit and run
- vehicular collision
- suicide
- fatal fire
- drug related deaths
What is the general investigation model that should be applied in all initial response cases?
Victim Appreciation Witnesses Scene Exhibits Ingredients Powers Offenders
From VAWSEPO what is the definition and technique of V
Victim
Identify and locate the victim(s).
From VAWSEPO what is the definition and technique of A
Appreciation
Make an initial appreciation of the incident. Assess personal risk and then preserve the lives of others.
From VAWSEPO what is the definition and technique of W
Witnesses
Locate and contain witnesses
From VAWSEPO what is the definition and technique of S
Scene
Preserve the scene (e.g. set boundaries).
From VAWSEPO what is the definition and technique of E
Exhibits
Note evidence and preserve any that would otherwise be lost or destroyed
From VAWSEPO what is the definition and technique of I
Ingredients
Consider whether the ingredients of the alleged offence have been established.
From VAWSEPO what is the definition and technique of P
Powers
Identify what powers are available and consider whether to execute them
From VAWSEPO what is the definition and technique of O
Offenders
Identify and apprehend suspect(s).
What is an appreciation?
An appreciation is a proven method of problem solving. A process that follows a series of set steps to ensure the optimum course of action is decided upon. It considers all appropriate factors and weighs the benefits and risks of all alternative solutions, allowing sound decisions to be taken. An appreciation is an ongoing process which involves continually thinking through each new piece of information as it is uncovered.
What are the benefits of conducting an appreciation?
Informs all Police what they are expected to achieve
Increases the chances of success, i.e. the investigative aims/objectives being met
Establishes a sequence of activities to be carried out
Manages risk
Reduces uncertainty Eliminates duplication
Ensures nothing is overlooked
Effective use of resources
What are the four steps of an appreciation?
Aim
Factors
Courses Open
plan
As part of an appreciation, what is the definition of Aim?
An aim is a short (one line) statement which briefly demonstrates a single objective
As part of an appreciation, what is the definition of Factors
A factor is any circumstance or fact that could possibly have an effect on the manner in which you will achieve your desired outcome
As part of an appreciation, what is the definition of Courses Open
Courses open are a list of all the possible ways the aim could be achieved, bearing in mind the factors and the deductions made from those factors.
As part of an appreciation, what is the definition of Plan
A plan is a proposed course of action designed to put the selected course into action in order to achieve the desired aim.
What is the Police’s purpose when investigating a death?
to investigate thoroughly and gather sufficient evidence to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of the death.
What information should be obtained from a complainant/informant?
-identity and location of the suspect
-a first hand account of what the complainant/informant knows
-precise details of the location of the scene
circumstances leading to the discovery
-identity of the victim
-details of anyone else at the scene
-full contact details of the complainant/informant
-demeanour of the complainant/informant
-relationship of the complainant/informant, to the victim or suspect
-details of action the complainant/informant has taken and where they have been
-details of any hazards or safety issues that may affect Police approaching the scene/victim
Where there is a delay between the initial report and Police arriving, what else should complainant/informant be asked to do to reduce the risk of evidence being lost or contaminated?
- to return to the proximity of the scene, and guard it, if it is considered safe for them to do so
- not to enter the obvious boundaries of the scene
- not to touch or move anything
- to prevent others from entering or touching the scene
- to await Police arrival and identify themselves to the first Police at the scene.