Recently, our Chair, Darren Adams, had the opportunity to attend a two-day Domestic Abuse Matters training programme. This is a College of Policing package aimed at improving understanding, awareness, and frontline response to domestic abuse. Those attending the programme will now form part of the organisation’s Domestic Abuse Matters Champions network. Darren has written about the experience:
The course brought together officers from across the Professional Development Unit (PDU), alongside colleagues from Professional Standards, Vetting and Counter Corruption. Having that mix of experience and departments in the room created some valuable discussion and highlighted just how important it is that we, as an organisation, continue to develop our understanding in this area.
Whilst the Civil Nuclear Constabulary is not routinely responsible for investigating domestic abuse offences, due to the nature of our role there remains a real possibility that our officers could be first on scene before handing matters over to Home Office force colleagues. Those first interactions matter. How we engage, safeguard, assess risk and support victims in those early moments can have a significant impact on the person involved and the wider police response that follows.
The complexities of domestic abuse
That is why I felt it was important for the Federation to be part of this training. The course focused on coercive and controlling behaviour, victim impact, offender behaviour, and challenging assumptions and misconceptions. It reinforced that domestic abuse is often far more complex than what is immediately visible and requires a professional, informed and victim-focused response from the very outset.
The Champions programme is designed to strengthen understanding across the organisation and provide officers with access to trained colleagues who can help guide and support them when dealing with these sensitive issues. The officers who attended this course will now become those Champions, helping to reinforce learning and promote best practice across the force.
Alongside this, the Professional Development Unit will now develop and deliver an internal training package to improve officers’ understanding of best practice as first responders. CNC has developed its own domestic abuse policy framework, which will help strengthen the organisation’s approach and provide clearer support pathways moving forward.
Broadening our understanding
From a Federation perspective, attending this course was important. As Chair, I know we are often called upon to support members through some of the most difficult and sensitive circumstances, whether that is operational decision-making, welfare concerns, matters that later come under scrutiny, or challenges they may face in their personal lives. Broadening our understanding in areas such as domestic abuse strengthens our ability to better understand the pressures officers can face, and ensures that when members need advice, guidance or support, whether in work or outside of it, we are better placed to provide it with greater context, understanding and awareness.
A thank you goes to Superintendent Stenner, Inspector Loughlin and Caitlin McIntosh for organising the course, and in particular to Inspector Loughlin for the invitation to attend. It was a valuable and insightful two days, and I have no doubt the learning will strengthen both the organisation’s response and the Federation’s ability to support its members.
Support is available
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or are affected by it in any way, support is available. The Domestic Abuse Matters Champions programme and the Federation can help provide guidance and signposting to the appropriate services. It is important to recognise that where criminal offences or safeguarding concerns are identified, there may be a duty to act. If you wish to seek support anonymously in the first instance, Crimestoppers is available on 0800 555 111.
Darren Adams - Chair of CNP Federation