Officers need more training to help tackle honour-based violence, Police Federation of England and Wales
Police Federation's response to HMIC report, 'The depths of dishonour: Hidden voices and shameful crimes.
Officers need better training to help them tackle honour-based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation, the Police Federation of England and Wales has warned.
The comments come following the release of a new report by the HMIC which found the police service should improve its understanding of these types of crimes and have a more consistent approach to how these cases are dealt with.
Karen Stephens, the Federation’s lead on domestic abuse, says: “It is important that officers are able to deal with all types of cases in an appropriate manner. Police welcome any advice that would help ensure officers can support, protect, and engage with their communities in the best way.
“One of the issues is that whilst there is some training in place for honour-based violence, many forces deal with so few cases it is hard to maintain the knowledge gleaned from training courses. In looking at further, more consistent, training approaches, we believe it’s important that any courses be regular, not one-offs, to ensure officers skills are kept up-to-date.”
Karen Stephens says: “The Federation is open to working with the HMIC, NPCC and relevant groups, to look at how better guidelines and more training can be implemented across the forces to increase their skills in dealing with honour-based violence cases.”
