Domestic abuse perpetrated by police officers from January 2019 to April 2022

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.025046

I note you seek access to the following information:

I am undertaking a research project to examine the extent, prevalence and responses to domestic abuse perpetrated by police officers, with a view to informing policy, practice, and training.
I would be most grateful if you could supply the following information in relation to police officers, PCSOs and special constables, please do not include information on civilian staff.

For questions 1-7, please provide answers by calendar year using numbers not percentages.

1. How many allegations of domestic abuse have been received against police officers, PCSOs and special constables from January 2019 to April 2022?

2. How many police officers, PCSOs and special constables were charged with domestic abuse related offences from January 2019 to April 2022?

3. How many police officers, PCSOs and special constables were convicted of domestic abuse related offences from January 2019 to April 2022?

4. How many police officers, PCSOs and special constables were subject to misconduct investigations for domestic abuse related offences from January 2019 to April 2022?

5. How many police officer, PCSOs and special constables were disciplined (e.g., management advice/action, warnings, and reprimands) for domestic abuse related offences from January 2019 to April 2022?

6. How many police officers, PCSOs and special constables were dismissed for domestic abuse related offences from January 2019 to April 2022?

7. How many police officers, PCSOs and special constables resigned, retired, or left for other reasons, following allegations of domestic abuse related offences from January 2019 to April 2022?

8. Does your force have policies and procedures specific to responding to allegations of police perpetrated domestic abuse?
a) Yes
b) No

9. If you answered yes to question 8, has your force updated policies and procedures specific to responding to allegations of police perpetrated domestic abuse since September 2020?
a) Yes
b) No

10. If you answered yes to question 9, please provide details of any updates (e.g., appointment of investigating officer not known to suspect).

11. Does your force deliver training specific to responding to allegations of police perpetrated domestic abuse?
a) Yes
b) No

12. If you answered yes to question 11, has training been introduced since September 2020?
a) Yes
b) No

13. Is training
a) Mandatory
b) Voluntary

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find attached information pursuant to questions 1-7.

Please find below information for Question 8-13

Q8a - Does your force have policies and procedures specific to responding to allegations of police perpetrated domestic abuse?

Yes – the MPS has a Domestic Abuse Employee Policy that was launched in November 2019

Q9a - If you answered yes to question 8, has your force updated policies and procedures specific to responding to allegations of police perpetrated domestic abuse since September 2020?

Yes – The policy is a living document and revisited and updated as necessary to ensure the most up to date information is available.

Q10 - If you answered yes to question 9, please provide details of any updates (e.g., appointment of investigating officer not known to suspect). The guidance sits within the policy on confidentiality. Cases are referred to the dedicated DASO unit (see Q12).

Policy extract - Where an allegation of domestic abuse involves a police officer or staff as the victim, consideration must be given as to which unit investigates. Additional stress placed on victims who are employees by having their allegation investigated within their own command area, and the importance of the commitment to confidentiality in breaking down barriers to reporting. This would alleviate fears of breaches of confidentiality. The unit would be seen as more impartial, in cases where one or both parties work within the reporting command area.

Q11a - Does your force deliver training specific to responding to allegations of police perpetrated domestic abuse?

Yes – The MPS is an adopter force of Domestic Abuse Matters, this includes the Officer Involved Domestic Abuse workshop

Q12a - If you answered yes to question 11, has training been introduced since September 2020?

Yes – The MPS has trained over 6700 in Domestic Abuse Matters, we have a specific unit DASO (Domestic Abuse and Sexual Offences) unit that deal specifically with PPDA. This unit was established early this year.

Q13a - Is training

Mandatory – Mandatory in relation to Domestic Abuse Matters.