Check list - tackling domestic violence

This document is aimed at Government Office crime managers as well as

CDRPs and police, and is designed to be a checklist of actions and activities
which good practice gathered through the TVCP tells us should ideally be in
place in the context of tackling domestic violence. Local activities will need to
be developed on top of these generic suggestions in order to respond to
identified local needs.

CDRP specific

• A DV coordinator should be in post.

• A local DV implementation plan should be drawn up which includes

proactive methods of increasing reporting of crimes.

• An active DV tasking group should be in place and meet at least

quarterly to implement the localised implementation plan.

• In order to encourage partnership working, consideration should be

given to appointing a non-police chair of the DV tasking group. The
group should include representation from local voluntary sector DV
groups.

• The most at-risk victims and repeat offenders should be identified. Link
to the PPO scheme / DIP as necessary.

• Repeat victims should be reviewed and managed by a multi-agency

panel / MARAC which meets on a regular basis.

• Repeat offenders should be identified and managed through a multi-

agency panel which meets on a regular basis.

• DV should be a standing item on the strategic leadership groups’

meeting agenda.

• Effective use should be made of DV advocates / Victim Support, with a

clear system for swift referrals in place.

• Specific arrest days should be planned into the Borough/CDRP/CSP

calendar in order to ensure numbers of outstanding suspects remains
at an acceptable level.

• Arrangements should be in place to facilitate regular contact and

information sharing between the police and the CDRP DV coordinator.

• CDRPs should consider working towards adopting a Specialist

Domestic Violence Court.
 • Strong links should be developed with children’s services and with the
mental health trust.

• Induction training / annual refresher training should be available for all

partners.

• There should be an effective information sharing (and protocols in

place where necessary) between all relevant agencies. This should in
particular include health.

• Consideration should be given to the co-location of DV teams & child

abuse teams and to making hot-desking possible for partners.

• Targets on DV should be included within the LAAs. These should be

shared by all partners.

• Remedial services e.g. drugs / alcohol / health should be identified and

used.

Police specific

• All staff should be trained to NCPE standard including front office call
handling and control room staff.

• A DV car should be used at peak times when increased DV is likely to

occur. Staff using the car should be trained in DV evidence gathering,
including in the use of early evidence kits, and key procedures. The
car should have an iceflo / digital camera on board.

• The use of body worn surveillance equipment (body worn video

systems) should be considered, taking account of the interim
evaluation of the Devon and Cornwall pilot and guidance document
published at the end of January 2007.

• DV investigation packs should be in use to guide all staff with their

investigations and enquiries at DV incidents. The pack should cover
risk assessment at scene of all incidents and not just those that are
crimes.

• Police call tapes / recordings should be utilised as part of

investigations.

• A clearly identified system should be in place in order that 124D’s /

evidence booklets / evidence packs reach to CSU as quickly as
possible.
• CSU DS advice should be available via a specific mobile number
outside of DV cars availability.

• DV incidents should be part of the daily performance meeting and

weekly level 1 TCG meeting where the duty officer is held to account
for non-arrest of suspect and response times outside of the target.

• The initial investigation officer should be responsible for managing the

risk of the suspect not being arrested (i.e. victim care and protection).
He or she should complete a risk assessment and take action to
mitigate this risk.

• Initial investigators should be aware of their role to make all possible

attempts to arrest the offender if they are not at the scene. Where
necessary they will need to pass this to subsequent officers/shifts
through supervisors.

• A clear system should be in place to arrest DV offenders as soon as

possible where arrest has not been possible at the time of initial
investigation.

• Custody officers should make best use of bail conditions given to DV

offenders. Custody Officers must consider risk assessment prior to
decision to bail or release.

• Should liaise with local courts / CPS around the use of bail conditions
for DV offenders. They should also be linked in to the intelligence cycle.