Operational partnerships - Domestic violence protection notice / Domestic violence protection order policy (O46)

1. Summary of Changes

1.1. This policy was reviewed in June 2025. Changes were made to department names following organisational changes.

2. What this Policy is About

2.1. This policy provides mandatory direction to operational Police Officers and staff on the management of:
a) processes surrounding Domestic Violence Protection Notices and dealing with a perpetrator pre Civil Court hearing;
b) issuing of a Domestic Violence Protection Order and related administration post court.
Compliance with this policy and any linked procedures is mandatory.

3. Statement of Policy

3.1. This policy is designed to ensure an effective and consistent corporate approach to the management of Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders. The purpose is to minimise the risk of harm to the public and the organisation, to maximise opportunities to assist potentially vulnerable associated persons. To reduce crime within Kent and Medway, to improve public satisfaction recorded by victims and to ensure a suitable audit trail is maintained.

4. Risk Assessment

4.1. This policy has been assessed as low risk.

5. Equality Impact Assessment

5.1. An Equality Impact Assessment has been carried out and shows the proposals in this policy would have no potential or actual differential impact on grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, transgender, disability, age, religion or belief or sexual orientation.

6. Consultation

Initial consultation on this policy took place with;
o Intelligence
o PNC Bureau
o Custody
o PPU
o Legal Services
o HMCTs
o IMU
o Corporate Communication
o Victim Support Agencies
o Strategic Criminal Justice Department

7. Monitoring and Review

7.1. Monitoring and review of this policy will be conducted by Crime Command.

7.2. This policy will be reviewed every two years with the next review scheduled for June 2027.

8. Other Source Documents

9. Security

9.1. Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management Policy.

10. Retention and Disposal of Records

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