This report is the result of a thematic review of family liaison in Scotland.
Number | Recommendation |
|---|---|
1 | That each force identify a senior officer or officers to undertake strategic responsibilities for the formulation and development of family liaison policy. |
2 | That each force appoint an officer of supervisory rank as Family Liaison Co-ordinator, and that the role is a sole or principal duty for the officer. |
3 | That ACPOS publish nationally agreed role descriptions and person specifications for the posts of Family Liaison Officer (FLO) and Family Liaison Co-ordinator (FLC). |
4 | That ACPOS clarify the criteria for deployment of Family Liaison Officers in response to racist crimes and incidents. |
5 | That ACPOS clarify the criteria for deployment of Family Liaison Officers in response to road deaths. |
6 | That ACPOS establish a cross-discipline forum to ensure harmonisation of the development of Family Liaison in the areas of crime, road death, racism and civil emergency. |
7 | That ACPOS publish nationally agreed criteria for the deployment of Family Liaison Officers. |
8 | That ACPOS publish a nationally agreed role description and person specification for the post of Family Liaison Mentor (FLM), and associated criteria for deployment. |
9 | That ACPOS give consideration to the establishment of a Scottish Data Register of family liaison contacts, specialist knowledge and good practice. |
10 | That ACPOS establish a Scottish Police Family Liaison Co-ordinators Forum to promote benchmarking and the sharing of good practice. |
11 | That forces commit to the provision of appropriate occupational health services for Family Liaison Officers, including mandatory attendance at interviews where so |
12 | That, as part of major crime review and debrief processes, forces should actively seek the views of family members/next of kin on the effectiveness of family liaison. |
13 | That in line with the Police Advisory Board (Scotland) Staff Appraisal System – Secondment Attachment Performance Review Forms should be completed when Family Liaison Officers are involved in protracted deployments outwith their normal areas of work. |
14 | That probationary training provided by the Scottish Police College include an enhanced input on the effects of trauma and grief on the family members of victims of sudden violent death. |
15 | That ACPOS ensure officers tasked with family liaison in all types of death are trained to national standards. |
16 | That forces review their Victim Support Scotland (VSS) referral policies with a view to maximising the numbers of bereaved families who are put in touch with VSS. |
17 | That a priority of forces’ family liaison strategies be to put bereaved families in touch with support groups, and that Family Liaison Officers are proactive in their efforts to achieve this objective. |