The National Police Board (NPB) has published new internal guidelines intended for all police employees who encounter cases of domestic violence in their work, said an official press release on Friday.
The guidelines will help the police identify cases of domestic violence and take the necessary measures to investigate the cases.
It will ensure that the police protect the rights of victims of crime in particular and prevent the recurrence of domestic violence.
The guideline also discusses the finishing of the pre-trial investigation and the related measures.
The guidelines attached checklists for field patrols and forensic investigators, as well as a service guidance letter to be given to clients.
Police units are responsible for ensuring the implementation and compliance with the guideline in all areas of operation, including training.
It is characteristic of domestic violence that the relevant parties may not necessarily want to have the situation investigated, often due to pressure, fear or attachment they experience, which makes the situations difficult for the police, especially when the victim does not want the case to be investigated.
This is why the police must ensure that police personnel understand the seriousness of domestic violence, take timely measures in the case, and that police officers have sufficient expertise to handle the matter.
“The actions of the first response patrol of the police are crucial in identifying and intervening in domestic violence. An official record must be made of all reports, and a pre-trial investigation must be launched regardless of what the injured party wants to do,” Deputy National Police Commissioner Sanna Heikinheimo said in the press release.
The police must carry out a careful risk assessment and take the necessary action based on it. The correct investigative measures must be taken as early as possible in order to obtain sufficient evidence and to hold the perpetrator criminally liable in court.
Even a minor assault cannot be mediated or decided by the police, even if the parties do not want to have an investigation of what happened or if it is difficult to obtain evidence.
Sufficient records must be made of all measures in the police information systems.
The police are intensifying both their competence and efforts in cases of domestic violence.
- Police
- Domestic violence
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
