Type:	Report
Title:	Domestic violence : improving police practice : a special report to Parliament under s31 of the Ombudsman Act 1974
Authors:	NSW Ombudsman
Keywords:	Interagency work;Service provision;Protection orders;Policing
Year:	2006
Publisher:	NSW Ombudsman
Notes:	General overview: The Ombudsman’s report examines the policing of domestic violence in NSW. It outlines the corporate and legislative framework dealing with domestic violence, examines the work of general duties police, Domestic Violence Liaison Officers (DVLOs), and police prosecutors, and makes recommendations. Objective: The Ombudsman’s Office set out to identify the barriers preventing police from responding adequately to domestic violence incidents, to address the need for good practice in domestic violence policing, and to identify ways for NSW Police to better work towards this objective. Methods: NSW Police provided documents for the Ombudsman’s review and surveys of Domestic Violence Liaison Officers, Crime Coordinators, coordinators of Domestic Violence Court Assistance Schemes, and Regional Violence Prevention Specialists were conducted. The Ombudsman also consulted with peak bodies and with workers in refuges, family support services, and advocacy services, and visited nine Local Area Commands (LACs) to canvas local policing issues and strategies. Results: Many police, including DVLOs and prosecutors, were acknowledged for excellence in their work. However, police indicated that barriers to effective policing domestic violence include inadequate resources for the large number of incidents and onerous legislative and administrative requirements. They are concerned about their safety when attending incidents. They spoke of the difficulty of gathering evidence when victims do not cooperate and that cameras, video cameras and voice recorders are not readily available. Other service providers were concerned about the quality of service provided to victims who present at the police station, delays in responding to incidents, and failures to adequately investigate incidents, particularly breaches of Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs). Many service providers attributed these failings to inadequate training of police about domestic violence issues. DVLOs reported feeling valued by the community and other service providers but not by their fellow police officers. 15% are untrained (beyond basic training received by all police) and others required refresher training. Their effectiveness is limited by unreliable access to vehicles, computers and mobile telephones. Some areas, including areas with high rates of domestic violence, do not have funding for a DVLO position. Police prosecutors were said to have too great a workload to properly perform their duties adequately. Some provide incorrect advice or fail to confer with victims, their advocates or DVLOs. Interagency cooperation between police and Department of Community Services (DoCS) workers is necessary for effective child protection. There are some very effective interagency projects but they are locally based and do not have ongoing funding. * enhancing the role of DVLOs by providing a career path, improved rostering and provision of access to a vehicle * providing ongoing training of police officers that is practically focussed, mandatory, provided locally, drawing on the expertise of other agencies and monitored for quality * creating a position in the Family and Domestic Violence Unit of the Police to develop good practice, provide advice, monitor prosecutors’ performance, and provide training * considering integrated case management and co-location of police officers, child protection workers and domestic violence victim support workers Conclusions: The NSW Police Commissioner indicated that he supported the majority of recommendations in the report. The Ombudsman asked the Commissioner to develop a framework for implementation by February 2007.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/19026
ISBN:	1921161675
Physical description:	xvi, 108 p. : ill. ; 30 cm.
Appears in Collections:	Reports

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