SPC Launch New Domestic Abuse Investigators Course
A new course to train officers in the investigation of domestic abuse has been launched by the Scottish Police College.
The Domestic Abuse Investigators course, which is aimed at Constables and Detective Constables, will give those officers tasked with investigating domestic abuse a critical awareness of the legislation and procedures which apply, as well as informing them about the assistance available from other partner agencies and professional bodies.
The course has been developed to cover all aspects of domestic abuse, including honour based violence, new stalking and harassment legislation and guidance on how to investigate forced marriage and child protection inquiries. It also covers issues in respect of vulnerable adults.
Detective Inspector Samantha McCluskey, Head of Detective Training at the College said, “Previously the Domestic Abuse course was ‘victim focused’, it provided awareness of support agencies and implied that the primary function of the Domestic Abuse officer was to support the victim. Whilst that is still relevant we recognised that domestic abuse is an area that crosses investigations and victim support and a more balanced approach was required.
In order to best serve the needs of the public and the Forces, we re-designed the training to make sure that it was fit for purpose and would give officers the necessary skills set to be able to competently undertake the role.
The new course content continues to focus on the victim and the support measures available, but also provides training in investigative tools and techniques to proactively target offenders and training on interviewing both witnesses and suspects.
There is no doubt that domestic abuse is one of the more sensitive areas of police work and in the past, many reports and public inquiries have highlighted shortcomings in the way the police service and other agencies have dealt with such offences. The actions and decisions of police officers, who investigate incidents of domestic abuse, and linked crimes and offences, are significantly scrutinised.
The new Domestic Abuse Investigators course addresses the need to re-balance the police approach. Whilst victim focus will continue, it is clear that this does not, and has not, stopped individuals becoming repeat victims. We need to make the best use of the powers we already have to protect victims, to try and prevent them from becoming victims in the first instance and to deal effectively with offenders.
A recent change to legislation has enabled vehicle examiners and others employed by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) powers to stop motor vehicles being driven on the roads in Scotland. The Scottish Police College supported the implementation of this legislation by providing bespoke training to employees of VOSA in Scotland in how to safely stop vehicles. VOSA employees have had this power in England and Wales for some time and had received training elsewhere, however the training provided by the Scottish Police College has been so well evaluated that, in partnership with VOSA, we are now extending the training provision to VOSA staff throughout the UK.