Part 6 Family liaison

Question 1

2. What things should be considered when making a family liaison plan?

Answer 1

• selection of the flo and criteria employed for the selection
• exit plan for the flo
• objectives of the family liaison
• assessing the most appropriate methods of conducting interviews with family members, including the use of specialist interviewers, where appropriate
• information to be released to and withheld from , the family
• requests made by the family which have not been agreed to, and the reasons for this
• complaints made by the family and the o/c investigations action to progress and resolve the issues raised
• any member of the family who could be considered a suspect, to enable the oc investigation to determine whether or not this is the case
• liaison with victim support and other support services

Question 2

3. What does the term ‘family’ include?

Answer 2

• includes partners, parents, siblings, children, guardians, whanau and any others who have had a direct and close relationship with the victim
• includes chosen family
• should reflect the victims culture and lifestyle

Question 3

4. In order to enhance relations with the family and to contribute to the victim profile what should the flo identify?

Answer 3

The flo should identify the cultural origins of the victims family and ensure they are familiar with relevant cultural beliefs and protocols, to enhance relations with the family and to contribute to the victim profile.

Question 4

5. Once they have been appointed what should the flo do?

Answer 4

On appointment, the flo and oc investigation should discuss the plan for working with the family. It is essential the flo establishes the parameters of their role and is clear about the objectives they are being tasked to achieve

Question 5

6. Before meeting the family what must he flo do?

Answer 5

• liaise closely with the oc investigation regarding parameters of information to be shared with and/or held back from the family
• familiarise themselves with the enquiry
• familiarise themselves with all information established concerning the family, including known family composition or dynamics, cultural and lifestyle consideration, religious beliefs and communication requirements, eg language or disability
• familiarise themselves with available information and intelligence which could impact on the liaison role, such as previous police involvement with the victim or family
• establish what contact the family has had with police since the incident/death
• establish what information has been given to the family
• establish what information concerning the incident is already in the public domain

Question 6

1. What is the role of the family liaison officer?

Answer 6

The role of the family liaison officer 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 co ordinate support that addresses the needs of the family.

Question 7

7. Who takes a victim impact statement and when must it be ready?

Answer 7

The statement must be available for sentencing and should be no older than 28 days at the time of sentencing.

Homicide trained victim support volunteers are trained to assist police by taking vic impact statements from surviving family members.

Question 8

8. When and why should an exit plan been made?

Answer 8

An exit plan must been developed before the flo is deployed, and be communicated to the family at the commencement of the deployment. The exit plan will be determined and executed at the discretion of the OC investigation, and should include plans for reactivation.

Before being stood down, the flo should ensure that victim support services are ongoing, where this has been taken up by the family.

Question 9

9. Why must the OC investigation continuously review the appointment of the flo and what should they consider?

Answer 9

• the suitability of the officer for retention in the role
• whether additional flo’s should be appointed
• the needs and wishes of the family

Question 10

10. Where a family member is suspected of being involved the OC investigation must review the flo’s plan regularly and should consider what?

Answer 10

• the flo’s welfare and safety
• increase monitoring of the flo work and interaction with the family
• the level of information disclosure to the flo and, in turn, the family
• the process by which any intelligence that arises from flo contact with the family will be managed
• 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 if appropriate
• the deployment of a deputy flo for corroboration issues in addition to supporting the principal flo
• not using the flo in any search or arrest of a family member
• investigative or evidential impact on deployment
• whether or not the flo will reside with the family. This may be an option in cases of kidnap for ransom where the police negotiators are in contact with the suspect. Such a deployment must only be undertaken after a meticulous consideration of the safety of the flo