❓ Question regarding police recording and investigation of domestic assaults, and training provided to officers. The Minister affirms current practices and denies a decline in seriousness.
AnsweredQoN 1935Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to domestic assaults, and I ask: (a) does the Minister agree that domestic assaults are an offence against the person; (b) does the Minister agree that domestic assaults should continue to be assessed as an assault against the person; (c) is it the case that prior to 2013-14 police did not record and investigate all domestic incidents that came to their attention; (d) if yes to (c), why is this the case given it has always been government policy to record and investigate all domestic incidents; (e) what training is provided to police officers to ensure they understand domestic assault is a criminal offence and must be taken seriously; and (f) is the Minister concerned that by separating the recording of domestic assaults from assaults against the person, police will view domestic assaults as less serious and revert to their previous practice of not recording or investigating all domestic incidents?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 November 2014
Responded by
Attorney General representing the Minister for Police
Response time
28 days
(a)-(b) Yes.
(c) No, as per sections 62A and 62C of the
Restraining Orders Act 1997
, police investigate acts of family and domestic violence, and record their actions.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) All police officers who undertake recruit training at the Police Academy receive training in relation to family and domestic violence response, including criminal offences and other interventions. Compulsory online police officer eLearning is provided on 'Reporting Family and Domestic Violence' to maintain contemporary responses to family and domestic violence incidents.
(f) Violence is a societal issue impacting on WA Police service delivery in tackling personal crime. Separating domestic assaults from other assaults will provide a better indication of the effectiveness of police responses to domestic violence, as well as identifying trends. WA Police do not treat domestic assaults as less serious than other assaults.
(c) No, as per sections 62A and 62C of the
Restraining Orders Act 1997
, police investigate acts of family and domestic violence, and record their actions.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) All police officers who undertake recruit training at the Police Academy receive training in relation to family and domestic violence response, including criminal offences and other interventions. Compulsory online police officer eLearning is provided on 'Reporting Family and Domestic Violence' to maintain contemporary responses to family and domestic violence incidents.
(f) Violence is a societal issue impacting on WA Police service delivery in tackling personal crime. Separating domestic assaults from other assaults will provide a better indication of the effectiveness of police responses to domestic violence, as well as identifying trends. WA Police do not treat domestic assaults as less serious than other assaults.
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