Response to domestic abuse incident - Greater Manchester Police, July 2017

On 25 July 2017, officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) attended a domestic abuse incident. While at the scene, officers spoke separately to the victim and suspect. The suspect was removed from the house and taken by officers to an alternative address.

A short time later, a further call was received from the previous address. The suspect had returned and broken into the house.

During the investigation, investigators interviewed the officers who attended the incident, reviewed body-worn video footage of the officers’ attendance at the incident, and reviewed local and national policies and procedures. We interviewed one officer under misconduct caution for an allegation that he may not have taken appropriate action, and that he may have added information to his pocketbook entry after the victim had signed it.

The investigation found that the two officers who attended to the incident had not fully adhered to local and national guidance regarding domestic abuse. We were of the view that this did not amount to misconduct, but a learning requirement was identified for both officers.

The investigation also found that there was breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour on the part of one of the officers in respect of information potentially being added to a pocket notebook entry once it had been signed by the victim.

After reviewing our report GMP agreed that the officer who had potentially altered his pocket notebook entry may have breached the Standards of Professional behaviour. However, as the officer had resigned from the force, no further action was taken.

The force also confirmed that the other officer would receive further learning regarding domestic abuse procedures.