Current Domestic Abuse Policies and Procedures
Keywords
Domestic, Abuse, Procedures, Updated, Internal, Guidance, Policies, Checklists, Toolkits, Interim.
Publication Number
PUB 1465
FOI Reference Number
16794
Request Title
Current Domestic Abuse Policies and Procedures
Date Range
N/A
Information Requested
I am just following up from this request as I noticed that the domestic abuse procedures that you sent are dated 2019 and I was wondering if they had been updated, if so please can you send us the updated versions.
Please could you provide a copy of all your internal force guidance for officers including policies, procedures, checklists, toolkits on Domestic Abuse. In the event that these are still under review, we would like the interim procedures in use.
Disclosure with Exemptions
Part Disclosure with Section 31 Exemption
Information Correct as at
22 February 2022
Date of Disclosure
23 August 2022
Related Documents/Links
N/A
FOI 16794 Response
FOI Duty
First Duty – Essex Police holds information relating to your request
Second Duty – See below link and attached documents
Fact - See below
Exemption - Section 31
Reasoning – To disclose information in full regarding police procedures may cause harm and undermine any future investigations; and more importantly could also compromise the health and safety of an individual at risk of domestic abuse placing them in danger. It is for this reason the disclosure is redacted.
Caveat: The information is correct as of 22.02.2022, Policy B1700 was last published 30.11.2021. The attached documents have been redacted by virtue of Section 31(1).
B1700 Policy – Domestic Abuse | Essex Police
B 1701 Procedure – Domestic Abuse Initial Grading and Attendance – See attached
B 1703 Procedure – Domestic Abuse Involving Police Personnel – See attached
B 1706 Procedure – Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders – See attached
B 1703 Domestic Abuse Toolkit – See attached
No further information will be provided by virtue of section 31(3).
Section 31(3)
Factors favouring complying with Section 1(1)(b):
Disclosure of information relevant to the request, would lead to better public awareness into the intricacies of how operational policing is conducted. This may lead to more information (intelligence) being submitted from the public which may culminate in a reduction of crime.
Factors against complying with Section 1(1)(b):
Disclosure would compromise the effective delivery of operational law enforcement. Tactics could be compromised which could hinder the prevention and detection of crime. More crime could be committed and individuals placed at risk.
Balance Test:
Essex Police is charged with enforcing the law, prevention and detecting crime and protecting the communities we serve. Essex Police will never disclose information if to do so would be detrimental to operational law enforcement.
The public entrust the Essex Police force to make appropriate decisions with regard to their safety and protection and the only way of reducing risk is to be cautious with any information that is released. Full disclosure would definitely reveal policing tactics and practices and would assist those intent on causing harm.
Therefore, at this moment in time, it is our opinion that for these issues the balance test for non-disclosure of all information is made out.
Essex Police trusts that the links and information provided is of assistance. Thank you for your interest in Essex Police.