Policies on Family Liaison Officers

Request

I would like to request a copy of your policies on Family Liaison Officers, in particular, in relation to their deployment in the case of families bereaved by suicide.

I would be grateful if you could answer the following questions:
1.         What guidance do you follow for the deployment of family liaison officers?
(a)        National Police Chiefs Council found here: Working with victims and witnesses | College of Policing
(b)        Your own guidance or policies, if so, please may you provide a copy
(c)        Other, please detail what these are

2.         Does your guidance allow for the deployment of Family Liaison Officer’s in the case of families bereaved by suicide?
(a)        Yes, if so, please detail the requirement for deployment
(b)        No, if not please detail the reason for this

Response

I approached our Theme Lead for Family Liaison with your request. They provided the following:

Question 1

The deployment for FLOs falls in line with the following policies & guidance:

College of Policing APP for Family Liaison: https://www.college.police.uk/app/investigation/working-victims-and-witnesses#family-liaison

Major Crime Investigation Manual: https://library.college.police.uk/docs/NPCC/Major-Crime-Investigation-Manual-Nov-2021.pdf

Victims Code of Practice 2020: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936239/victims-code-2020.pdf

Question 2

The guiding principle of Family Liaison is drawn from College of Policing APP:

The primary role of a FLO is as an investigator. The FLO will be responsible for gathering the evidence from the family that will assist the investigation.

The key aims are:

• to secure the confidence and trust of the family, thereby enhancing their contribution to the investigation (this can positively impact the wider issues of community trust and confidence, as well as bringing positive benefits to the investigation)
• to gather material from the family in a manner that contributes to the investigation and preserves its integrity
• to work with the family in order to comply with their Rights to receive all relevant information connected with the enquiry, subject to the needs of the investigation, in a way that is proportionate to their fundamental right to respect for their privacy and family life
• to ensure that the family are given information about support agencies and that appropriate referrals are made to:
• the Homicide Service
• victim and witness support
• the NHS and social services
• credible support charities, in accordance with the family’s consent and wishes

The decision as to whether an FLO will be deployed will be made by the Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) who is leading that investigation. They will work with the family liaison officers / family liaison coordinator to set clear objectives and parameters that the FLOs will work towards.

The Major Crime Investigation Manual suggests the categories of investigation where an FLO is most likely to be deployed:

The significant resource represented by family liaison can be used across a broad spectrum of policing but is a key investigative function in the following:

• murder and manslaughter
• fatal road traffic incidents
• rail fatalities
• mass disaster incidents
• critical incidents where family liaison might enhance the effectiveness of the police response.

This list is not considered definitive. An SIO may make the decision to deploy FLOs into any investigation where they believe it is likely to be beneficial to the investigation.

Through the nature of their work, FLOs will invariably provide support to a family, either directly or by signposting them to others – however, this is not their core function.