Recommendation - Devon and Cornwall Police, March 2023
We identified organisational learning from a local death or serious injury report.
IOPC reference
Recommendations
The IOPC recommends that Devon and Cornwall Police conduct a review of the training provided to ‘first response officers’ when dealing with victims of serious sexual offences.
This follows an IOPC review of a Death or Serious Injury case in relation to the death of a woman who had had previous contact with Devon and Cornwall Police.
The woman had reported a rape and was considered vulnerable in that she had mild learning disabilities and suspected personality disorder.
At the time of the report of rape, Devon and Cornwall Police's Sexual Assault Referral Centres were unavailable.
The two officers deployed to the woman's address were non-specialist officers. They failed to establish a rapport with the woman and she felt as though she wasn't believed. Subsequent officers were unable to make contact with the woman and she was later discovered deceased within the property.
Accepted:
As the Force portfolio Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Lead I have considered the above recommendation in respect of this DSI incident. I totally agree that the initial contact and victim first engagement is paramount. There are a multitude of factors, primarily due to resourcing challenges in the number of additional trained SOLO officers that would be required across our geography to meet the current demand 24/7 that would mean that it is not always achievable for a victim to be seen by a Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (SOLOs) at the first point of report.
Improvement activity is already underway for our first responding officers and steps have been taken to consider improvements to this response including the launch in May 2022 of a revised First Response Booklet, which guides officers through the steps to be considered from an investigative and victim needs perspective.
CPD and messaging has been delivered to raise awareness and consideration is being given to improve this further within current training courses such as initial training.
DCP have committed to the delivery of the newly created modular RISDP (Rape Investigation Skills Development Programme) from the College of Policing, of which the initial 3 modules will be targeted at all frontline response officers. The full programme of 11 modules will be rolled out across PIP2 cohort and dedicated SOLO officers. I can confirm that this training is underway and is being accessed by our first response officers. This is expected to be concluded by the end of April 2024.
I am aware that colleagues in other Forces are considering a revised first responding officers course and I will remain engaged and consider this opportunity for DCP staff. I am also aware of the First Response officer course that is currently being reviewed/created by the College of Policing and once this is available I will also be considering this for DCP staff
The IOPC recommends that the NHS England review the resourcing of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) within the Devon and Cornwall area.
This follows an IOPC review of a Death or Serious Injury case in relation to the death of a woman who had had previous contact with Devon and Cornwall Police.
The woman had reported a rape and was considered vulnerable in that she had mild learning disabilities and suspected personality disorder.
There were no available SARCs in the Devon and Cornwall police force area to conduct the required medical examination of the victim. This lack of availability continued for a period of 48 hours which may have had serious implications for any criminal case.
The victim was found deceased two days after reporting the rape allegation.
Accepted:
NHSE England has reviewed the resourcing of SARC provision for the population of Devon and Cornwall through a re-commissioning process undertaken in 2021/22. This was a joint commissioning process involving NHS England, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Devon & Cornwall Police and NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group. People with lived experience were an integral part of the design and evaluation of the procurement process.
To inform the re-commissioning process and in preparation for the procurement, a full health needs assessment was conducted. The service specification was updated to reflect best practice and the evidence base. The national specification for SARCs (Specification 30) is currently being updated.
NHS and Criminal Justice agencies reviewed their investment in the Devon & Cornwall SARCs and increased the budget by c. £500K for the new contract, compared to the investment at the time of the incident in question. This additional resource has come from both Health and Criminal Justice agencies. In addition, NHS England contributed additional resource of a further £300K to assist with mobilisation, relocation, workforce development and transition in the first year of the contract.
The new contract commenced in October 2022. The additional investment has enabled an increase in clinical staff and operational hours, thereby enhancing the responsiveness to the needs of victims and stakeholders. In the new contract, operating hours of all elements of the adult service will increase to 24 hrs a day. This represents a significant extension to the self-referral offer and will significantly increase accessibility and responsiveness for people who do not necessarily want to involve police at the initial stage.
The additional investment is also in recognition of the need to relocate the Exeter SARC in order to meet increased demand for services and achieve Forensic Science Regulator accreditation.
The SARCs in Devon and Cornwall are working closely with stakeholders to review and improve policy and practice in response to sexual violence. Operation Soteria is the key policing initiative in this regard.