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ANNEX C
METHODOLOGY AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1. In conducting this thematic inspection, we focused on specific aspects of the police response to domestic abuse, paying particular attention to the identification and handling of incidents of repeat victimisation. The inspection also took into account the aims of the joint protocol between ACPOS and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service: 'In Partnership, Challenging Domestic Abuse' and focused on the following areas:
- the strategic approach to domestic abuse;
- the domestic abuse initiatives in which the police service in Scotland is involved;
- the use of information and communications technology ( ICT);
- the role of the domestic abuse officer ( DAO); and
- the recording of domestic abuse incidents.
2. The fieldwork was conducted from November 2007 to January 2008, informed by a desktop review of information provided by all eight forces and covering:
- existing policy and procedure documents relating to domestic abuse;
- recent reviews of domestic abuse that have been conducted in-force;
- business cases that apply to pilot projects operating in each force area; and
- the domestic abuse liaison officer job description.
3. Following this review, the inspection team visited each force and conducted personal interviews with four separate groups of internal stakeholders: front-line officers; DAOs; DAOs' first-line managers and force strategic leads for domestic abuse. Each group was asked open questions about its own force's response to domestic abuse. We found that the officers and staff who attended these meetings were open and honest in their responses and many aspects of good practice were recognised.
4. We also consulted with external stakeholders, including the following: Women's Aid; Violence Against Women Partnerships; The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service ( COPFS) including Victim Information and Advice Service ( VIA); and the Scottish Police College ( SPC).
5. The lead officer for this inspection was Mrs Susan Mitchell, Principal Inspecting Officer with HMICS, assisted by Sergeant Lisa Gregg and Sergeant Claire Walker on secondment from Lothian and Borders Police and Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary respectively. The inspection was directed by Assistant Inspector of Constabulary Malcolm R Dickson QPM.
6. We are grateful to everyone with whom we consulted during this inspection, and particularly to Lothian and Borders Police and Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary for lending Sergeants Gregg and Walker.
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