Operational partnerships - Family liaison officers policy (O41)

1.0 Summary of Changes

1.1 This policy was reviewed in March 2024 – document was re-written and re-formatted to incorporate definition of roles and recent changes.

2.0 What this Policy is About

2.1 This policy specifically relates to the deployment and welfare of dedicated family liaison officers to families who have suffered bereavement as a result of homicide, fatal traffic collision or any other incident where the deployment of an FLO is deemed appropriate.

Compliance with this policy and any linked procedures is mandatory.

3.0 Statement of Policy

3.1 Essex Police and Kent Police are committed to the deployment of family liaison officers in line with guidance within the Major Crime Investigation Manual, College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice – Investigation of fatal and serious injury collisions and the Authorised Professional Practice and NPCC Practice Advice for Family Liaison Deployment 2020, in order to provide the best possible support and advice as well as fulfilling an investigative role within an enquiry. Senior Investigating Officers (SIO), Lead Investigating Officers (LIO) and Senior Identification Managers (SIM) are encouraged to refer to the above manuals.

3.2 Each deployment will seek to:

• Manage and support families within the principles of the Victim Code, Witness Charter and the Charter for Families Bereaved through Public Tragedy;
• Provide a documented, two-way communication channel between family and police, which is fully recorded using the family liaison log;
• Gather evidence and information from the family in a sensitive manner which contributes to and preserves the integrity of the police investigation/action;
• Mitigate, as far as possible, any negative effects of the investigation and criminal justice processes through the provision of timely information and practical support to the family;
• Contribute to a co-ordinated response to the needs of families, ensuring that family members are given information about support agencies;
• Ensure that referrals are made to Victim Support, H.M. Coroner and other agencies in accordance with the victim/families wishes;
• Assist in the management of the media response and issues of intimidation which may arise for the family.

3.3. The Counter Terrorism and Security Act (CTSA) 2015 places a duty on various specified authorities to have ‘due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism’. This is referred to as a ‘Prevent Duty’ and involves:

• Responding to the ideological challenge of terrorism;
• Preventing people from being drawn into terrorism;
• Working with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation.

3.3.1. The CTSA 2015 also places a duty upon specified authorities in relation to supporting people vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism through the Channel programme. Channel is a multi-agency safeguarding programme, which provides support to those individuals who may be vulnerable to being drawn into any form of extremism that could lead to terrorist related activity.

3.3.2. This policy has been reviewed and assessed that the CTSA duties could be relevant and as such your attention is drawn to your responsibilities under the Act. Further details about the Prevent Duty and the Channel Duty can be found attached.

4.0 Implications of the Policy

4.1 Finance / Staffing / Training / Other

4.1.1 There are no implications relating to finance or staffing related to this policy.

4.2 Risk Assessment(s)

4.2.1 The procedures/SOPs associated with this procedure will contain their own risk assessments.

4.3 Equality Impact Assessment

4.3.1 EIA – February 2024.

5.0 Consultation

5.1 The following have been consulted during the formulation of this document:

• SCD FLC and FLO Force Lead
• Human Resources
• Health and Safety
• Equality and Diversity
• IT Security
• Estates
• Legal
• Freedom of Information

6.0 Monitoring and Review

6.1 This document will be monitored and reviewed every two years by the policy owner and FLO Force lead, Major Crime, Serious Crime Directorate.

7.0 Data Security

7.1.Essex Police and Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management Policy - W 1000 Policy – Information Management.

7.2 Retention & Disposal of Records

7.2.1 Essex Police and Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention & Disposal Policy – W 1012 Procedure/SOP - Records Review, Retention and Disposal.

7.2.2 We will only hold data for as long as necessary for the purposes for which we collected.

8.0 Other source documents, e.g., Legislation, APP, partnership agreements (if applicable)

• Major Crime Investigation Manual
• APP – Investigation of fatal and serious injury collisions
• NPCC Practice Advice for Family Liaison Deployment