Crime and intelligence - Protection of adults at risk: protection of vulnerable adults - vulnerable adults and Kent Police employees procedure (N10c)

1. Summary of changes

1.1. This standard operating procedure (SOP)has been reviewed in April 2022 - no amendments to content have been made.

2. What this procedure is about

2.1 This procedure concerns adult abuse/protection involving Kent Police employees and special constables.

2.2. Adult abuse by police officers, police staff employees and special constables (hereafter referred to collectively as Kent Police employees) will be treated in the same manner as any other adult abuse incident.

2.3. To ensure the maintenance of public confidence and the confidence of victims in the policing of adult abuse and the integrity of the service, Kent Police employees who commit offences against vulnerable adults will be held accountable through the criminal and civil justice system and dealt with appropriately through internal misconduct procedures.

Compliance with this procedure and any governing policy is mandatory.

3. Detail the procedure

3.1 The Vulnerability Investigation Team (VIT) detective inspector, or the duty detective inspector (FCIR), must be informed as soon as practicable of any adult abuse issue involving a Kent Police employee. It will be the responsibility of the relevant VIT DI on division to ensure appropriate arrangements have been put in place for the safety and welfare of those adults involved. A decision will be made by Professional Standards Department (PSD) as to whether or not the circumstances warrant an immediate criminal investigation and to ensure that all available evidence is secured and fully recorded.

3.2. The investigation of adult abuse involving Kent Police employees will be conducted in accordance with the standards set out in this policy. PSD and VIT DI must ensure positive action is taken and where appropriate make referral to KASS. Victims, where appropriate, must be given a full explanation of force policy and kept informed. It is the responsibility of the divisional VIT for any welfare issues.

3.2. The investigation of adult abuse involving Kent Police employees will be conducted in accordance with the standards set out in this policy. Managers must ensure positive action is taken and where appropriate make referral to KASS. Victims, where appropriate, must be given a full explanation of force policy and kept informed.

3.3. Officers that disclose to any member of the police service that they are committing an offence against an adult are not entitled to confidentiality. Any report of such criminal conduct must be treated as an admission of a crime and investigated accordingly.

3.4. It is the requirement of this force that Professional Standards Department (PSD) and the Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) detective inspector are made aware of any allegation of an adult protection nature. The responsibility of investigating adult abuse allegations against Kent Police staff rests with PSD. It should be remembered that the primary focus of any investigation is the safety of the vulnerable adult and this should not stop immediate actions from being taken in order to secure the safety of that adult. Spontaneous responses to issues of safety should therefore be taken without the need to contact PSD straight away, but to contact them at the earliest opportunity including their OOH officer. Liaison and communication is required throughout such investigations between PSD and PVP. PSD investigation led, VIT DI welfare led. The divisional commander should be notified asap.

3.5. To safeguard the integrity and effectiveness of the investigation, officers involved in enquiries and/or arrest and detention of Kent Police employees alleged to have committed offences against adults, should not be known personally to the suspects (this should not exclude officers from arresting known colleagues at an incident).

3.6. Where a Kent Police employee or partner of the same is arrested for an adult related offence they should be taken to the most suitable custody suite at a division other than at which they work or have links.

3.7. The divisional PVP VIT detective inspector and PSD DI will consult with neighbouring senior management teams to ensure that officers appointed to deal with either the victim or alleged perpetrator are ideally not known to either party and will deal with the case objectively.

3.8. VIT DI’s are responsible for the management of their staff, which includes the welfare of individuals. They must ensure themselves that this force policy has been adhered to and the victim is being offered every opportunity of accessing support services.

3.9. All incidents of adult abuse involving Kent Police employees or partners of the same will go to the Central Referral Unit (CRU) and subsequently recorded on Athena as an investigation by CRU in accordance with this policy, unless to do so would place a victim at further risk of harm or compromise an investigation. In such cases a manual record will be made. The appropriate VIT DI should ensure that arrangements are in place for the secure storage of documentation.

3.10. Police employees from other police areas outside Kent who come to notice for adult abuse issues will be notified to their respective heads of departments and PSD via PSD intel.

3.11. A vulnerable adult that has been abused by a police officer or staff member may be reluctant to be interviewed by anyone representing the organisation. In these circumstances, the local authority safeguarding adult lead should be contacted to establish what support can be offered in obtaining an account from the vulnerable adult.

4. Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)

4.1. This SOP has been assessed as having a medium potential impact.

5. Risk assessment

5.1. This SOP has been assessed as having a medium risk.

6. Consultation

• Force Mental Health lead
• Specialist Adult Abuse trainer
• CRU Detective Inspector
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Health and Safety
• Freedom of Information
• Legal

7. Monitoring and review

7.1. Monitoring of this policy will be the responsibility of the head of Public Protection via the Policy and Compliance detective inspector HQ PPU.

7.2. This SOP will be reviewed every two years with the next review taking place in April 2024.

8. Security

8.1. Kent Police has measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management policy.

9. Retention and disposal of records

9.1. Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal policy.