Kent review

When police officers are dealing with reports of domestic abuse, all relevant information must be recorded on the crime or secondary incident report, which will assist in ensuring a proper risk assessment is made. In particular, relevant information from the Computer Assisted Dispatch (CAD) should also be included on the crime or secondary incident report.

When a person, other than the victim, makes an allegation of domestic abuse to the police, then officers must make contact with not only the victim, but also the individual making the allegation to develop the whole picture. Officers should be reminded of their responsibility to achieve a proper standard of investigation and to ensure that appropriate evidence is captured from key witnesses, paying particular attention to interviewing family and friends.

Police officers and staff should be reminded that, following a report of domestic abuse involving a member of Kent Police (either as a perpetrator or victim), the Professional Standards Department should be informed, usually via a locally based supervisor of the rank of inspector or above.

Kent Police policy to be amended to direct that officers taking reports of domestic abuse perpetrated by a serving police officer/staff, or retired police officer/staff, should consider referring the victim to an independent domestic violence adviser (IDVA) or domestic abuse support worker.

When an alleged perpetrator of domestic abuse is also the holder of a shotgun or firearms certificate, Kent Police should ensure that a risk assessment in relation to the possession of firearms by suspected perpetrators takes place, and, in such cases, consideration should be given to removal of any firearms as a matter of urgency.

The planned review by Kent Police of the police central referral unit (CRU) should consider the capacity of the unit to carry out effective assessments of crime and secondary incident reports of domestic abuse graded as ‘standard’ risk. The review should also consider whether the assessment of such cases should be the responsibility of divisional supervisors rather than the CRU.

When a person is detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act resulting from circumstances which may directly or indirectly relate to domestic abuse, Kent Police should record the details on a secondary incident form.

When KMPT staff receive information that could indicate that a patient is a possible perpetrator of domestic abuse, they should seek further specialist advice about the most appropriate action to take. Evidence of this consultation and decision making must be recorded.

When KMPT frontline practitioners identify that a client may be a perpetrator of domestic abuse, they will ensure that this is clearly identified on the KMPT risk assessment. Concerns will be discussed within supervision and multi-disciplinary team meetings.

Following detention and assessment under section 136 of the Mental Health Act, when any indication of domestic abuse is identified by completing KMPT’s risk assessment process, a detailed letter should be sent to the client’s GP advising follow up.

Domestic abuse training is to be provided for GP surgeries, including competencies for all staff. Once the core competencies have been identified, training will be rolled out to all surgery and primary health care staff.

Domestic abuse training is to be delivered to all Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Board members, including required assurances, governance arrangements and domestic homicide review responsibilities.

CCGs to expedite the appointment of a named GP for adult safeguarding; the postholder would complete individual management reports on GPs’ practice for domestic homicide reviews.