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Posted By Jean
Yesterday a Sergent phoned and asked to come to my home to discuss some issues (non criminal nature). She said she would have to bring a colleague since in her force, the police have been advised for health and safety reasons that they can not make a visit to a home without a second police officer being present. This was now the force health and safety policy. Needless to say, I suggested a police station might make her feel more comfortable.
Has anyone else had this experience. This wasn't connected with making a statement which I would have expected to have been undertaken in a police station.
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Posted By Colin Reeves
I suspect, yet again, that this is an insurance need, not an 'elf n safety' requirement.
More bad press!
Colin
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Posted By M J Matthews
HI
I would suggest that this is a health and safety issue, sounds like someone at the station has carried out the required risk assessment and hence now two officers have to attend at a private residence to ensure their safety.
Mick M
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Posted By David Bannister
When considering how to control the risks arising from lone working, it makes very good sense do away with the lone working! There are many examples of advice on this forum to do exactly that.
This police force appears to have implemented a good risk management solution. Also allows a good cop/bad cop routine to be used.
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Posted By David Bannister
Quicker fingers Mick.
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Posted By Brigham
Sorry, disagree Colin. This is very much a H&S issue and the Police are, in my mind, correct to implement this policy. In this day and age, the police are often targets and this procedure is a valid deterrent.
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Posted By Sally
So by this logic are we saying that Doctors, Social Workers, health visitors and anyone that goes into anyone's house etc should always go out in two's.
Surely the risk assessment should be whether two people are necessary based on what is known about the occupants, whether the reason for the visit is likely to incite violence, experience of officers etc
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Posted By Bob Youel
Lone working is especially hazardous when young [below 18] girls are involved; as certain words are so easily used which; even if is it involves a male police officer; if used are ruthlessly investigated
*Even the hint that a girl may hint an impropriety is putting male police officers in an awkward position [*As stated by 4 different police officers to me recently whilst I was looking into something]
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Posted By Colin Reeves
Thank you Sally!
Colin
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Posted By Dave Wilson
When I did my EHO training (late 80's) we were told that if at all possible when going into private dwellings that we should go in pairs.
It protects the officer from unfounded allegations as well, not just for safety
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Posted By AHS
Whilst not wishing to comment on this particular case frankly there are many good reasons for Police Officers to always be in pairs. Gender has nothing to do with it there are alot of women out there tougher than most male CMIOSH.
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Posted By teaboy
actually, in my area, social workers do go out in pairs, for their own safety
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Posted By EC
In our NHS setting, it is common policy that staff visit new cases initially in two's. It depends on the lone working assessment, and what controls are in place, these include;how good the case referral is, previous issues, family history etc
One thing that I would have suggested is that under lone working they have a perfect communication system in place to monitor the staff safety. You cannot criticise this as there are probably other reasons including; harrassement issues etc.
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Posted By J Knight
Hi Folks,
When I was working for my previous employer I was told about an event where a member of staff in a residential home was being threatened with assault. She called for assistance, and the result was that two members of staff were seriously assaulted.
Doubling up is not a solution to home-visiting risks, and I have spent four years trying to impress this on our own Homecare operation. It can be a control measure as part of a suite of moves, but just sending two people off to face an unknown hazard is just to double the number of potential victims - see the first paragraph.
What the RA needs to consider is things like 'What will the two people do?', 'How will they work together to reduce the hazard or to deal with an assault?', 'Have they been trained in a safe working procedure?' and so on.
So yes, the Police may be right to visit in pairs to reduce the risk, on the other hand, they may not,
John
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Posted By Jean
John
I would be inclined to agree with you on this issue. However, I am grateful for all the other views that have been expressed.
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