{"id":801,"date":"2021-06-28T16:02:41","date_gmt":"2021-06-28T08:02:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/devwp.visibleone.io\/p136\/?p=801"},"modified":"2021-06-29T15:17:18","modified_gmt":"2021-06-29T07:17:18","slug":"role-and-responsibilities-of-police-officers-attending-domestic-violence-incidents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/familyclic.hk\/en\/topics\/daily-lives-legal-issues\/domestic-violence-and-assistance\/role-and-responsibilities-of-police-officers-attending-domestic-violence-incidents\/","title":{"rendered":"Role and Responsibilities of Police Officers Attending Domestic Violence Incidents"},"content":{"rendered":"

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VII. Role and Responsibilities of Police Officers Attending Domestic Violence Incidents<\/h1>\n

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If there is evidence of a crime, the perpetrator should be arrested, irrespective of the victim\u2019s wishes. All the offences already referred to depend upon the police taking action in the particular case. For various reasons, such as lack of alternative accommodation, fear, or a desire to continue the relationship and a belief that criminal proceedings will prevent that happening, a victim of abuse may be reluctant to cooperate with the police.<\/p>\n

To combat domestic violence, child abuse, sexual violence, elder abuse, juvenile crime and child pornography, the Hong Kong Police Force has set up the Child Protection Policy Unit. It is responsible for devising and formulating Police Force policies and procedures for handling cases in these areas, and for ensuring a coordinated police response to reports of these cases. Therefore, all the police officers who deal with these incidents are professionally and specially trained in the area of domestic. You do not have to worry about their knowledge and experience in dealing with your particular situation.<\/p>\n

A. Primary concerns of the police<\/h2>\n

According to the Hong Kong Police Force document: Role and Responsibilities of Police Officers Attending Domestic Violence Incidents, the primary concerns of the Police as a law enforcement agency are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. to\u00a0 protect the victim and his\/her children from attack;<\/li>\n
  2. to ensure that they are not subject to any risk of further violence, at least in the short term;<\/li>\n
  3. to take firm and positive action against the alleged offender and to investigate\u00a0 any offences that may have been committed;<\/li>\n
  4. to serve a Domestic Incident Notice on the alleged offender; and<\/li>\n
  5. to refer the victim and\/or the alleged offender to appropriate support and counselling services.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Police policy is that wherever possible, two officers, one of each gender should attend the incident. According to their code of conduct, the victim should be interviewed by an officer of the same gender, if available, and separately from the perpetrator to ensure privacy and safety. The victim will never be asked in the presence or hearing of the abuser if he\/she wants to bring a criminal complaint against the abuser and whether he\/she would be prepared to give evidence at court hearing.<\/p>\n

    If the perpetrator is arrested, the arresting officer should explain the procedure and inform the victim of the arresting officer’s number and the name of the Police Station to which the abuser will be taken. If there is insufficient evidence to support the report or accusations against the abuser, the situation and reasons should be explained to the victim as well.<\/p>\n

    The police officer shall also give some information about support services and hotlines for practical and emotional support.<\/p>\n

    B. Domestic Incident Notice<\/h2>\n

    One of the obligations of police officers attending a domestic violence incident is to serve a Domestic Violence Notice on the alleged abuser if there is insufficient evidence to support a prosecution. The action may be taken by the police officers at the scene or by the Duty Officer if the victim and alleged offender are taken to a Police Station for further enquiry, or by the crime officers conducting a criminal investigation of the incident.<\/p>\n

    This form notifies the alleged abuser of the nature of the allegations against them, names the complainant and sets out the date and place of the incident. The Notice serves as a record of the police visit and operates as a warning to the alleged abuser of the possibility of criminal charges under the\u00a0Offences Against the Person Ordinance<\/a>\u00a0or the\u00a0Crimes Ordinance<\/a>\u00a0if there is a repetition of the abusive conduct. The reasons why there will not be a prosecution at this time must be explained to the victim.<\/p>\n

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    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Consumer Contracts” module_class=”posttitle” _builder_version=”4.9.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] VII. Role and Responsibilities of Police Officers Attending Domestic Violence Incidents [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] If there is evidence of a crime, the perpetrator should be arrested, irrespective of the victim\u2019s wishes. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"

    Adoption is a legal process by which parental rights and responsibilities over a child are transferred from the birth parents to the adoptive parents. An adoption in Hong Kong must be effected in accordance with the Adoption Ordinance , Cap. 290<\/a> , Laws of Hong Kong. The guiding principle in the adoption process is the \u201cbest interests of the child\u201d ( section 8<\/a> of the Adoption Ordinance<\/a> ).<\/p>

    Local adoption service in Hong Kong is provided by the Adoption Unit of the Social Welfare Department and three non-governmental organizations, as Accredited Bodies:<\/p>