Volunteers are being sought to join a brand new Scrutiny Panel, which will review the investigation and handling of cases of domestic abuse.
Ron Hogg, Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, included the objective to ‘Address the incidence and impact of domestic abuse and sexual violence in all its forms’ in his Police, Crime and Victims’ Plan last year. He is now looking for volunteers who may wish to be members of the Panel.
The Panel will be independent of the Police and will review a series of investigations by the Police, into cases of domestic abuse in County Durham and Darlington.
This should lead to further improvements in police performance, better support for victims and increased confidence in policing. In turn, that should mean that victims feel more comfortable in reporting cases of domestic abuse, therefore more offenders should be brought to justice.
Hogg said: “Domestic abuse is an abhorrent crime and is taken very seriously. The volunteers on the new Panel will critically examine cases to ensure lessons are learned as part of an ongoing and independent review. Their feedback will lead to improved investigations, better services for victims, and it will build the confidence of communities in how the Police handle reported cases of domestic abuse.
“The Panel will review cases where the victim is male or female. It will be interested in cases involving heterosexual victims, and people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.”
Chief constable Michael Barton said: “Volunteers should be reassured they will be listened to and I expect their involvement to improve the way we investigate crime and support victims.”
If you are interested in joining the Panel, application forms are available on Hogg’s website at: www.durham-pcc.gov.uk, or for more information, please call: 0191 375 2001.
The closing date for applications is midday on Monday 13th March 2017.
