Crime Reporting Procedure (495A/23)
Request
- Can individual police officers generate a crime report for alleged crimes that are reported to them directly by their own family members or their family members partners?
- Can individual police officers investigate alleged crimes that are reported to them directly by their own family members or their family members partners?
- Can individual police officers instigate investigations for alleged crimes that are reported to them directly by their own family members or their family members partners?
- Can individual police officers be part of investigations for alleged crimes that are reported to them directly by their own family members or their family members partners?
- Can individual police officers be part of investigations for alleged crimes that are reported to their force or disseminated to their force as a result of reports submitted by their own family members or their family members partners?
- Can individual police officers used the Police National Computer to conduct searches relating to alleged crimes that are reported to them directly by their own family members or their family members partners?
- Can individual police officers use the Police National Computer to conduct searches relating to alleged crimes that are reported to their force or disseminated to their force as a result of reports submitted by their own family members or their family members partners?
- Are individual police officers allowed to assist in any way in an investigation or otherwise for alleged crimes that have been reported by their own family members or their family members partners?
- If the answer to any of the above questions is yes:
a) How does the force ensure that the individual police officer is acting fairly, impartially and ethically when they have a vested interest to benefit their family?
b) How does the force ensure any reports are not steered by individual police officers to contain necessary and useful information, whether true or otherwise, which would benefit the case of their family members or their family members partners?
c) How does the force ensure any investigation carried out by a team is investigated fairly, impartially and proportionately, when the alleged crime is reported by one of the force’s officer’s family members?
10. What is the appropriate procedure for a police officer to follow if one of their family members or their family members partners reports a crime to them?
11. What is the appropriate procedure for a police officer to follow if they find they are involved in investigating a crime reported by their family members or their family members partners?
Response
With regard to questions 1 – 8; these circumstances would all amount to a conflict of interest and such behaviour would be referred to the Professional Standards Department for consideration of potential disciplinary proceedings.
With regard to questions 10 and 11; it is acknowledged that officers and staff may receive disclosures from family members or friends (in the same way that any other member of the public may be informed and wish to report), however, they are expected to recognise the conflict, inform their respective line manager and report via the routes available to members of the public.
Officers and staff receive inputs in relation to this from the professional standards department as well as through force messaging.
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