Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Ethics Playing Cards
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4
A DV victim refuses to press charges and makes clear they will be a hostile witness if they are required to give evidence. You are called to attend the residence for the 4th time this weekend. What do you say/do?
Case Studies
- A court issues a warrant for the arrest of a witness who has otherwise made clear that they will not attend the hearing.
- How would you approach completing a THRIVE risk assessment in a situation where you cannot hear or understand the caller, but there may be a concern for welfare?
- What steps do you take to notify the public of what action will be taken in response to their call?
Discussion
A THRIVE assessment (threat, harm, risk, investigation, vulnerability, and engagement) will first be made by the call handler. Applying the THRIVE approach requires the following four steps.
- Identify an individual’s vulnerability or vulnerabilities.
- Understand how these vulnerabilities interact with the situation to create harm or risk of harm.
- Assess the level of harm or risk of harm.
- Take appropriate and proportionate action if required, involving partners where they have the relevant skills and resources.
If the THRIVE assessment doesn’t meet the conditions on the phone, the call handler will not appoint an officer. However, if it passes this threshold and an order is made, the police officer appointed must attend.
Sometimes, particularly in DA or DV cases, or where a witness is scared of repercussions, they will only give evidence if they can plausibly claim they were compelled to do so. Courts are normally very aware that such a witness is likely to be hostile to the prosecution case.
The court is entitled to ask how many call-outs there may have been to a particular address, even if these did not result in any further action - this information can help inform other decisions.