Police Safety orders

Question 1

What is a PSO?

Answer 1

Police safety orders (PSOs) are immediate orders issued by a qualified constable (or a constable authorised by a qualified constable) at a family harm episode.

Question 2

Who is authorized to issue a PSO?

Answer 2

A qualified constable is a constable of or above the position level of sergeant. They must hold the substantive position level or otherwise be formally appointed or authorised under section 63 Policing Act 2008 to the appropriate position level.

Question 3

When do police need to complete a FH report?

Answer 3

The Police family harm policy and procedures (and the requirement to complete a family harm investigation in OnDuty) only apply when Police attend a family harm episode and the parties involved are in or have been in an intimate partner relationship or are family members.

Question 4

What are the four catagories of a domestic relationship defined in DVA 1995?

Answer 4

Intimate partner Family members Flatmate Close personal relationship

Question 5

Can a PSO be served on any domestic relationship in response to a FH incident?

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

What are the immediate effects of a PSO?

Answer 6

Police safety orders require a bound person to:  surrender any weapon in their control or any firearms licence held to a constable  vacate any land or building occupied by a person(s) at risk regardless of whether the bound person has a legal or equitable interest in it  provide a cooling down period where the person at risk has time and space to seek support and assistance, including applying for a temporary protection order if desired and for the bound person to seek support and assistance.

Question 7

What are the longer effects of a PSO?

Answer 7

In addition to the immediate effects of the order, the bound person must not:  engage in behaviour that amounts to any form of family violence against a person at risk  make any contact with a person at risk that is not authorised (see below)  encourage any person to engage in behaviour against or to make contact with a person at risk, where the behaviour or contact, if engaged in or made by the bound person, would be prohibited by the order.