Recommendation - Norfolk Constabulary, January 2022
Oranisational learning was identified from a review following a police investigation. A complainant attended a police station to report domestic abuse through an organised appointment. The complainant subsequently complained that the officer he spoke with had been dismissive and unprofessional.
The officer had not activated his body worn video and therefore there was no objective evidence of this appointment and the officer's manner. The officer advised that he did not activate body worn video (BWV) as he did not consider it necessary.
IOPC reference
Recommendations
The IOPC recommends that Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies review their Body Worn Video policy in consideration of whether this should recommend officers consider activating their BWV to capture first accounts of domestic abuse which are made at arranged appointments, rather than specifically when attending incidents.
This follows an IOPC review of a complaint investigation during which it was established that an officer had not activated his body worn camera during an appointment with the complaint who was reporting the circumstances of what he considered to be domestic abuse. The complainant raised allegations that the officer was dismissive of his account.
Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies' Body Worn Video policy states that there is a presumption that officers will activate body worn video when attending domestic abuse incidents and officers must be prepared to justify a decision not to record. It should be considered whether the policy should be expanded to advise officers to consider capturing all first accounts, whether made following the attendance of officers at a scene or during arranged appointments, in order to clarify when this presumption should apply.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
The recommendation has been accepted and the following action has already been completed.
The Body Worn Video Policy has been updated and published with the below amendment.
Original wording:
7.2 There is a presumption that BWV will be used when attending domestic abuse incidents and officers must be prepared to justify any decision not to record. Domestic Abuse (DA) incidents should be recorded on BWV unless one of the limitations, as outlined previously, is employed.
New wording:
7.2 There is a presumption that BWV will be used when responding to domestic abuse incidents, this includes station appointments. Officers must be prepared to justify any decision not to record. Domestic Abuse (DA) incidents should be recorded on BWV unless one of the limitations, as outlined previously, is employed.
An article will be published in force orders for the attention of all operational staff highlighting the amendment.