Management and Deployment of Specially Trained Officers PDF

**THE MANAGEMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF SPECIALLY TRAINED OFFICERS** **TABLE OF DOCUMENT DETAILS** Title -------------------------------- -- Reference No Relevant Department or group Ownership Document author...

**THE MANAGEMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF SPECIALLY TRAINED OFFICERS** **TABLE OF DOCUMENT DETAILS** Title -------------------------------- -- Reference No Relevant Department or group Ownership Document author Approved by Approval Date Implementation Date To be Reviewed Date Last Revised Date Quality Assured By Protective Marking Linked to other Standing Order Relevant Legislation Pages (including cover) **TABLE OF CONTENTS** +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 1 | **[Introduction]{.und | Pages | | | erline}** | | | | | **3** | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | 2 | **[Intention]{.underl | **3** | | | ine}** | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 3 | **[General | **3 - 4** | | | Principles]{.underlin | | | | e}** | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 4 | **[Statement of | **5** | | | Policy]** | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 5 | **[Implications of | **6 - 7** | | | the | | | | Policy]** | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 6 | **[Selection of | **7 - 8** | | | Deployment]{.underlin | | | | e}** | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 7 | **[Individual Roles | **8 - 9** | | | and Responsibilities | | | | ]** | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 8 | **[Record Keeping and | **9** | | | Disclosure]{.underlin | | | | e}** | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 9 | **[Compliance and | **10 - 11** | | | Certification]{.under | | | | line}** | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 10 | **[Abbreviations and | **12** | | | Glossary] | | | | ** | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 11 | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | 12 | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ **INDEX OF RELEVANT POLICE FORMS** [SBAP/CR/19-V](https://modgovuk.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/teams/25468/Police%20Forms/Orders,%20Policies%20and%20Contingency%20Plans/POLICIES%20NEW/20150417-instructions%20and%20directions%20of%20STO%20Booklet.doc?d=wa555dab07e204916b802523a82bc567b&csf=1&web=1&e=O6Xz7d) [Instructional Log Booklet](https://modgovuk.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/teams/25468/Police%20Forms/Orders,%20Policies%20and%20Contingency%20Plans/POLICIES%20NEW/20150417-instructions%20and%20directions%20of%20STO%20Booklet.doc?d=wa555dab07e204916b802523a82bc567b&csf=1&web=1&e=O6Xz7d) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **1. Introduction** 1. This Policy has been drafted in accordance with the Human Rights Act 1998. It is aimed at all officers involved in any investigation of rape or serious sexual offences where the circumstances of that investigation warrant consideration of deployment of a Specially Trained Officer (STO). It outlines how SBA Police will approach the investigation into Serious Sexual Offences which are defined as: - Rape - Assault by penetration - Sexual assault involving the use of violence - Any other sexual assault deemed to be serious by the investigating officer - Any attempt to commit any of the above offences **The victim of such offences may be a man, woman or a child** 1. **Intention** 2.1 The intention of this policy is to ensure the aim detailed in para 4.4 is achieved by appropriate: - - **3 General Principles** 1. Rape and the effective Investigation of Serious Sexual Assaults has come under intense focus Improvements in training, and inter-agency working are included in the SBA Police to both *encourage* reporting and, to raise the standard of investigation. Links with key agencies such as Welfare Department have been made to improve the care and support a victim will receive when reporting an offence. The SBA police is committed to reduce and detect crime and bring offenders to justice. The investigation of Serious Sexual Offences is identified as an area of business which presents significant impact upon the victim and the victim's families and through fear of crime upon the wider community. 2. The following five principles must be considered during the initial response: - - - - - 3.3 Three over-riding principles should guide the subsequent Investigation: - - - - **4 Statement of Policy** 1. The reporting of rape is notoriously low with many specialists in the field highlighting that only 1 in 10 victims ever report to police. With less than a quarter of rape allegations resulting in the suspect being charged, the real odds of a rapist facing a court of law are in the region of 1 in a 100. (*Project Sapphire Metropolitan Police)* 2. The SBA Police policy aim is to provide a quality service to members of the community who report serious sexual assault. 3. Where the SBA Police have primacy for the investigation in any of the cases/incidents detailed in para 1.1 above, will also have the responsibility for deployment of STO. 4. The aims of the SBA police service are as follows: - - 5. These aims are not mutually exclusive and where appropriate both objectives should be pursued simultaneously. 6. Nothing in this Policy dilutes the requirement upon the investigating officer to discharge their responsibilities under the Criminal Procedures Ordinance 2016 to investigate all reasonable lines of enquiry. 7. The main objectives arising from these aims are: - - - - **5 Implications of Policy** 1. The purpose of this Policy is to direct police involvement in the investigation of Serious Sexual Offences, taking into account the legal and moral responsibilities of the police service to prevent and detect crime and maintain public safety. 2. Consideration has been given to the compatibility of this Policy and related Procedures with the Human Rights Act with particular reference to the legal basis of its precepts; the legitimacy of its aims; the justification and proportionality of the actions intended by it; that it is the least intrusive and damaging option necessary to achieve the aims; and that it defines the need to document the relevant decision making processed and outcomes of action. 3. **[Race Relations/Diversity]** This policy is relevant to the obligations upon the service to:- - - - 4. **[Financial Implications]** 5. **[Staffing and Training]** 1. SBA Police has introduced the role of STO (Specially Trained Officers) who will be the identified qualified officer to deal with the victim of a Serious Sexual Offence as defined by this policy. A number of officers were trained locally and others in the UK. 2. SBA Police is able to provide accredited training for STO by way of external courses. Divisions are required to ensure that enough numbers of accredited STO are available to deploy to incidents to which this policy applies. 5.6 [Risks] 5.6.1 Each individual offence reported will have varying circumstances therefore identification of generic risks is impracticable. Each report must be risk assessed in accordance with the scale of the investigation and each activity undertaken. The investigating officer supported by team supervisors will conduct risk assessments if required relating to each investigative action identified. 5.6.2 Many incidents of Serious Sexual Assault reported to the police attract attention from the media and media appeals can make a significant contribution towards an investigation. Media attention does however have a potential to unnecessarily escalate the fear of crime amongst the local community and investigating officers should always consult with a Press Liaison Officer to formulate an appropriate media strategy. Divisional Commanders should also consider whether it is appropriate in each case to conduct a Community Impact Assessment. **6. Deployment Process** 6.1 Deployment of an *appropriate* STO should be considered carefully. These officers are dealing with some of our most traumatised victims and can face extreme emotions including in some cases hostile from the victim. To ensure the complainant receives the necessary support and guidance from the investigator. The welfare of the STO should always be taken into consideration prior to deployment, issues such as previous and current STO deployments should be considered in addition to other operational commitments. A stressed, overworked STO is no good to the victim and a poor relationship between victim and STO can jeopardise the investigation and reputation of the SBA Police. 6.2 The authority to deploy a STO lies with the SIO. 6.3 At no time will a STO self-deploy or be appointed directly by a Major Crime Investigation Team. **7. Individual Roles and Responsibilities** 7.1 [Role of the SIO] 7.1.1 The SIO is responsible for the deployment, implementation and maintenance of STO strategy. The STO strategy will take into consideration the following point: - - - - - - - - - - 7.2 [Role of the STO] 7.2.1 The main objectives to the role of the STO are the ones mentioned in para 4.7 above. 2. The STO will be present during the forensic examination of the victim therefore arrangements must be made to meet and work closely with the victim as soon as possible. 3. Before meeting with the victim, the STO will receive a briefing from the SIO and be made aware of any risk assessment issue. A relevant policy should be made in SIOs policy book. 4. A policy should be prepared by the SIO with the objectives as to what the STOs should be expected to do, along with the risk assessment. 5. The [main responsibilities] carried out by the STO would normally be: - - - - - **8. Record Keeping and Disclosure** 1. At the commencement of an enquiry the STO must commence an 'Instructional Log Booklet' to record down all the initial as well as further instructions from SIO. 2. Record keeping is essential to the role of STO. It ensures there is an accurate and transparent record for review. 3. The log is "original notes" and care should be taken in the completion of it. Future disclosure must be considered. Any other means of recording contact must be maintained and disclosed, such as loose pieces of paper. **9. Compliance and Certification** **9.1 [Human Rights Certification]** - - - - **9.2 [Diversity (Human Resources)]** ***Abbreviations and Glossary*** ***STO:** Specially Trained Officer. A specially trained officer appointed to maintain contact with the victim of a serious crime and his/her family.* ***I.O.:** Investigating Officer. The appointed officer in-charge of a Police Investigation.* ***MIR:** Major Incident Room.* ***S.I.O.:** Senior Investigating Officer. The appointed Officer in-charge of a Serious or Major Investigation, normally an officer trained in the management of major or serious crime.* ***Suspect:** Is a person suspected on reasonable grounds of having involvement in a criminal case under investigation, declared as such by the I.O. of the case.*