Recommendation - Kent Police, February 2021
A domestic incident was reported to police. Officers attended to speak with the victim who reported as part of the Directorate of Audit Risk and Assurance (DARA) risk assessment that her partner had often threatened to take his own life. The male was subsequently found the same day having taken his own life.
IOPC reference
Recommendations
The IOPC recommends that Kent Police reviews its domestic abuse policy and includes clear guidance for officers dealing with cases where they are informed by the victim of the perpetrators suicidal threats or ideation. The guidance should detail how officers ensure that the risk to the perpetrator is clearly identifiable and visible to those involved in the investigation and/or a custody setting in order that appropriate risk assessments can be considered alongside any safeguarding requirements.
A review of a local DSI investigation has shown that there is a potential missed opportunity to safeguard a suspect in a domestic violence case, when the suspect was reported to threaten suicide.
An incident of domestic violence was reported to police. Officers responded and spoke with the victim who completed a domestic abuse risk assessment. In that assessment she was asked whether the suspect threatened suicide. She replied often. No further action was taken in relation to this information. The suspect later the same day went on to kill himself.
There does not appear to be any formal guidance available for officers to assist them in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of a suspect in such offences when a victim reports their previous threats of suicide. The creation of guidance will assist officers in these circumstances in terms of what steps to take and who to bring this to the attention of, in order to ensure safeguarding measures are put in place.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
The Domestic Abuse Policy (SOP N07a) has been amended to reflect a need for officers to consider and explore any concerns regarding mental health with all parties, take action in accordance with existing Mental Health guidelines/policy and record this within any handover. There is also an obligation to ensure this has been/is considered under the roles and responsibilities section of the policy for the attending officers Sergeant, the custody Sergeant, the Officer in the case and the Vulnerability Investigation Team supervisor. The policy has been changed and is published with the new guidance, and Corporate Communications are drafting an inSite case study to be published to advise officers of their responsibilities. This will be complemented by the inclusion in the PVP bulletin, sent to divisional Quality Policing Managers and sent to relevant frontline officers via email.