Operation ‘Bright Light’ Pilot of Domestic Abuse: The role of specialist knowledge in the police response to domestic abuse.

• In Event: Improving Policing Responses to Domestic Violence and Abuse: Findings from collaborative academic work in England and Wales

Abstract

Research conducted for ‘Operation Soteria’ revealed the negligeable provision of specialist knowledge for officers and staff who both respond to and investigate rape and serious sexual offending (RASSO) in England and Wales (Williams et al, 2022). Furthermore, the research found a link between investigators’ learning environment, perceived confidence and capability to deliver in this area of police work and their wellbeing (Sondhi et al, 2023). As a result, a new learning programme driven by the evidence from ‘Operation Soteria’ was co-developed with the College of Policing to place the victim at the centre of the investigation and improve the police response to RASSO. Operation ‘Bright Light’ applies the same principles as ‘Operation Soteria’ to examine the learning and welfare environments for officers involved in the policing of domestic abuse. This paper will discuss initial findings from the projects’ pilot phase, conducted within one police force in England. Based on the analysis of interviews and focus groups with officers and staff, plus a review of the current learning material available on domestic abuse it will consider whether the learning from ‘Operation Soteria’ is applicable for those officers involved in investigating and responding to domestic abuse. Lastly it will explore the key challenges surrounding the delivery of knowledge relating to this complex crime and the implications for policing, the officers and the victims.

Authors

• Emma Williams, Anglia Ruskin University, UK

• Richard Harding, Anglia Ruskin University