Response to a domestic violence incident - Essex Police, July 2015 and March 2016

On 12 July 2015 Essex Police officers responded to a domestic incident in Brentwood, Essex, which led to the two partners being spoken to separately by a female officer. Both of them denied that there had been any shouting or domestic incident. Neither of them wanted to co-operate with the police or press charges. The man, who had a cut to his head, was taken to hospital by a neighbour. The incident was recorded as ‘antisocial behaviour’ by officers, and not as a domestic incident.

Eight months later, in March 2016, officers attended to a domestic incident at the same address. The woman mentioned the previous incident and said that her partner had hit and kicked her and that she had hit her partner with a bottle and there had been a lot of blood. The man confirmed that officers who had attended on the previous occasion had seen blood in the flat.

This was referred to us by Essex Police as a conduct matter.

We investigated the actions of the officers who attended the incident on 12 July 2015, the safeguarding measures put in place, and the intelligence and information available to the officers.

During the investigation, investigators collected statements from police and civilian witnesses. We examined incident log transcripts and audio transmissions as well as other related documents.

The Lead Investigator found there was an indication the officers’ conduct fell below the standards of professional behaviour and interviewed them under misconduct caution.

On the basis of the evidence available, the Lead Investigator was of the opinion that there was sufficient evidence upon which a reasonable tribunal, properly directed, could find a case to answer for gross misconduct in respect of one of the officers for breaching guidance and guidelines when responding to a domestic violence incident. The Investigator also identified possible performance issue for another officer.

After reviewing our report, Essex Police believed that the officer’s breaches of policy should be more appropriately dealt with at a misconduct – rather than gross misconduct – meeting, for failing to complete appropriate paperwork, to consider and record safeguarding for all parties, and to provide appropriate advice for the man to obtain medical assistance. They also believed that a second officer had a case to answer for misconduct for the same failings.

They also suggested that two more officers should be receiving management advice.

Essex Police held misconduct meetings for the two officers, at which misconduct was proven. Having taken into account mitigating circumstances, including the lessons learnt by both officers from the incident, the panel decided that no further action was needed.