Training given on domestic abuse and Met Police insurer

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.034120

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. Who is Met Police insurer for claims against Police damages

2. What training does Met Police give to the organisations and wider network on Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and at each level of the organisation?

It’s very clear that the Shackleton Divorce Ponzi doesn’t recognise abuse and is legally designed to damage victims of abuse, which simply gives a free pass to predation.

Decision

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

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Who is Met Police insurer for claims against Police damages.

The insurer is Zurich Municipal however all claims must be addressed/submitted via the internal claims team at the MPS.

Q2 - What training does Met Police give to the organisations and wider network on Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and at each level of the organisation?

For initial police recruit training, the MPS follow the national Police Curriculum set by the College of Policing as our PSRB. The Learning outcomes which relate specifically to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 are below, both of which are covered in Year 1. The parts in bold is the learning outcome, underneath is minimum content to be delivered.

1 - Identify the national drivers for providing a professional and ethical service to individuals who are, or may be, vulnerable, have suffered harm or be at risk of harm

2.1 National drivers for dealing professionally and ethically with people who are vulnerable, have suffered harm and/or are at risk of harm: • Independent enquiries: - National and local reviews - Super-complaints - Coroners’ judgements • Making Safeguarding Personal: What might ‘good’ look like for the police? (ADASS and the LGA, 2017) • Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (Home Office, 2021) • National Policing Prevention Strategy (NPCC, 2022) • Cross-governmental approach for managing vulnerability • Increase in reporting of child sex abuse following high-profile cases • Changing demand arising from complexity of some vulnerability cases • Commissioners for: - Victims - Domestic abuse - Children - Independent anti-slavery • Continuing inspection activity by HMICFRS in relation to vulnerability-related policing

2.2 Legislation, policies and ‘what works’ in relation to vulnerable people or those at risk of harm, including:

• Mental Health Act 1983: Code of Practice
• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Safeguarding Disabled Children – Practice Guidance 2009
• Care Act 2014
• Serious Crime Act 2015
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (Department for Education, 2018)
• Information sharing: Advice for Practitioners Providing Safeguarding Services to Children, Young People, Parents and Carers (Department for Education, 2018)
• Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Ministry of Justice, 2020)
• Domestic Abuse Act 2021
• Vulnerability-related risk guidelines (College of Policing, 2021)
• Violence against Women and Girls: Toolkit (College of Policing, 2021)
• Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Proceedings (Ministry of Justice, 2022)

2 - Explain the breadth of abuse incidents

2.1 Potential forms of abuse/harm, including digital-related abuse (e.g. coercive control, sexting, revenge porn, on-line grooming etc.) and those relating to other public protection offences e.g. modern slavery and human trafficking

2.2 The range of situations and locations in which abuse can take place

2.3 Legal definition of domestic abuse (Domestic Abuse Act 2021)

2.4 Prevalence of domestic abuse incidents and linked offences such as coercive control

2.5 How child abuse differs from other forms of abuse

2.6 Signs, symptoms and common myths surrounding child abuse and child sexual exploitation

2.7 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and how these may impact on individuals

2.8 Signs and behaviours that may be displayed by victims and offenders in grooming incidents

2.9 Who may perpetrate an act of abuse and why they abuse others (including familial abuse, particularly with regard to sexual offences)

2.10 Potential relationships between victim(s) and abuser(s)

2.11 Cultural considerations associated with some public protection offences (e.g. female genital mutilation, hate crime and forced marriage)

2.12 Why incidents of abuse go under-reported and why victims find it difficult to leave an abusive partner

2.13 Tactics perpetrators may use to manipulate police officers and other professionals

Furthermore in Week 13 police officer recruits undertake two Domestic Abuse classes. The sessions cover the following:

Learning outcomes

1. Identify and explain the key definitions, legislation and guidance associated with ‘public protection’ policing – domestic abuse / coercive control.
2. Describe the impact of abuse on a victim.
3. Identify and relate to the different types of potential abuse that may be evident at a domestic incident.
4. Explain and apply risk assessment methods as part of the police response and victim protection policies.
For ‘point of need’ on demand training we have the following content is available to all officers & staff at any time via our online learning management system.

Domestic Abuse Interviews
Domestic Abuse Investigations
Domestic Abuse Trial Procedure
Domestic Abuse Protection Notices & Orders
Evidence lead Prosecutions in Domestic Violence

DA Matters training was delivered to 7,500 front line officers in 2021/22. DA Matters focuses on Controlling and Coercive Behaviour which is a specific offence created within the 2021 Act.
- The Front Line Leaders Programmes includes a day on VAWG (Violence Against Women & Girls). The DA Act is included in this training. This programme is being delivered to every supervisor in the Met.
- The CSU course for secondary investigators includes the 2021 Act. This course is delivered by the Crime Academy.