The Commissioner has set up a scrutiny programme to hold Derbyshire Constabulary to account and provide the public with assurances around its performance.
There will be six reviews each year, with each meeting shining a spotlight on one of the Commissioner’s six priorities to establish progress and identify any areas of concern in the Constabulary’s performance.
As your elected representative, the Commissioner ensures that Derbyshire Constabulary, led by Chief Constable Rachel Swann, remains focused on the priorities that matter most to you.
Firstly, the Chief Constable is required to provide the Commissioner with a formal written report detailing achievements and actions within the six priority areas. This report is reviewed, scrutinised, and published.
That scrutiny is a key part of the Commissioner’s role – to challenge, support, and hold the police to account in delivering safer communities.
Secondly, the Commissioner raises questions submitted by residents with the Chief Constable to highlight areas of concern. These questions and priorities come directly from the public. The reviews are designed to shine a light on how those priorities are being addressed.
The Formal Report submitted for this PAM is available to view.
Public Questions
There were 21 questions submitted from the public for this priority . Some are being answered via our casework process and will be answered outside of this Public Assurance Meeting.
Violence Against Women and Girls
1, Is there something that can be done to help educate teens in schools including things like why walking close behind a woman or girl can cause fear. How to manage and regulate emotions without resorting to violence. Many teens do not seem to have the social skills or mentors to be able to express anger and this puts women and girls in more danger. It’s only a thought but perhaps a better understanding when people are younger would help? Chesterfield
Police Response
The school’s educational programme addresses many of the issues raised. While there is no single lesson dedicated exclusively to emotional regulation, the topic is woven throughout a range of curriculum areas and is addressed in ways that are relevant to each context. For example, during knife‑crime sessions, staff discuss methods for reducing conflict through non‑violent strategies. Similarly, in lessons on bullying, students explore approaches to avoid escalating situations and consider how their emotions can influence the decisions they make.
2, I am still afraid to walk alone in Derbyshire, in my village, because of ‘men’. I have never walked alone at night without feeling scared and I have rarely walked alone at night because of this. I find this appalling – that my way of life is restricted because our society does not teach men to not be violent towards women. What are you doing about it? High Peak
Police Response
In alignment with the Government’s Freedom from Violence and Abuse Strategy, the force has launched the Call It Out campaign to raise awareness of misogyny and abusive behaviour towards women and girls. The initiative encourages young men to recognise and challenge such behaviour when they encounter it. To date, more than 1,500 students across schools and colleges in the county have received campaign briefings, and campaign videos have been screened to football audiences at Derby County and Chesterfield matches.
The campaign has also been expanded into the night‑time economy, with bars and clubs invited to adopt a zero‑tolerance approach to misogynistic or abusive conduct. Under the scheme, any male displaying unacceptable behaviour is removed from the premises immediately. This initiative launched in Chesterfield town centre in December 2025 and has already demonstrated positive outcomes, with rollout to Derby planned within the next two months.
The force will shortly release a domestic abuse support pack for families and friends concerned that someone they know may be in an abusive relationship. The pack will provide guidance on warning signs and advice on supporting individuals through difficult circumstances.
Operationally, the force continues to adopt a positive, evidence‑led response to domestic abuse incidents and reassures the public that third‑party reports are taken seriously. The use of SmartWater as a deterrent has been expanded through trials in Chesterfield and Erewash, offering victims enhanced protection options.
In the North East of the county, a multi‑agency tasking and coordination pilot has been implemented to address prolific domestic abuse perpetrators. The approach offers individuals the opportunity to engage in behaviour‑change programmes, while also enabling coordinated disruption activity where support is declined. Early results from the pilot have been positive, and a formal review is under way.
This work reflects the national Strategy’s commitment to expanding the Multi‑Agency Tasking and Coordination (MATAC) model, ensuring consistent, robust management of the most dangerous Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) perpetrators, and promoting seamless collaboration between agencies to prevent harm.
3, Given the documented risks of harassment and violence faced by transgender women, how will the VAWG strategy ensure that trans women are recognised and protected within the framework, rather than unintentionally excluded from safety measures and support services? Amber Valley
Police Response
The force is committed to fostering an environment in which all women and girls feel safe and are free from fear, discrimination, and harassment.
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is understood to be rooted in gender inequality, which intersects with a range of additional structural inequalities. These include race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, age, and other characteristics that shape individual experiences of VAWG.
The force adopts an intersectional approach to ensure truly inclusive practice, remaining alert to any factor that may marginalise women and girls, regardless of their protected characteristics.
Through this approach, the force continues to play a pivotal role in safeguarding women and preventing harm, ensuring that those protected under equality legislation remain safe and free from discrimination and harassment.
Victims’ needs remain central to all investigations. Each victim is supported in achieving the most appropriate outcome for their individual circumstances. While responsibility for tackling VAWG does not rest with policing alone, the force recognises its critical role in preventing harm, bringing perpetrators to justice, and influencing societal standards around acceptable behaviour.
The local VAWG Strategy sets out how public‑sector agencies across Derbyshire will work collaboratively to drive meaningful change. This includes working alongside charities, the private sector, local communities, and, most importantly, listening directly to the voices of women and girls to improve safety and wellbeing across the county.
4, I’d like to know if the Derbyshire police service offers, or is planning to offer self defence training to women & girls. If the answer is no, can they at least provide advice on suitable courses available locally. North East Derbyshire
Police Response
The force does not currently offer self-defence training to women and girls, nor are there any plans to at this time.
5, How can we increasing the level of successful prosecutions against those who commit these crime. Amber Valley
Police Response
Derbyshire Police and partners are working together to improve justice outcomes for victims of Serious Violence and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). This includes delivering national best practice, strengthening investigations, and improving support for victims.
Better Investigations Through Operation Soteria: Operation Soteria improves the way rape and serious sexual offences are investigated by focusing on suspect behaviour, using trauma informed approaches, and ensuring investigations are carried out by skilled, specialist officers. This national model is now being rolled out across all police forces to raise standards and improve outcomes.
National VAWG Strategy Improvements: The National Crown Prosecution Service VAWG Strategy aims to increase case quality, strengthen specialist skills, and ensure victims feel supported throughout the court process. A trauma informed, high quality prosecution approach helps build stronger cases and improves conviction rates.
What Derbyshire Is Doing Locally: Derbyshire’s VAWG Strategy brings together police, councils and partners to prevent abuse, support victims, and pursue offenders robustly. Internally, the force has implemented the Investigative Standards Project, which is leading on a number of workstreams to improve investigation quality and outcomes for victims; workstreams include bespoke investigative skills training and rollout of an app to support evidence investigator continued professional development, in line with national Professionalising Investigation Programme accreditation.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has secured protected VAWG funding until 2026–2027, including support for Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advisors, therapeutic services, and prevention programmes—helping victims stay engaged in the justice process. The force also benefits from Serious Violence Duty funding to deliver countywide interventions aimed at reducing high harm offending and improving multi agency responses.
By combining stronger investigations, better specialist prosecution practice, and improved support for victims, Derbyshire and national partners are increasing the likelihood that offenders of Serious Violence and VAWG crimes are charged, prosecuted, and brought to justice.
6, “How are partners being held accountable for reducing violence against women and girls, and what measurable outcomes are we expecting to see in the next 12 months?” Derby
Police Response
Partners are held to account through established governance structures, including the Serious Violence Board and the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Board. These are supported by clear delivery plans, regular performance reporting, MARAC oversight, and contract monitoring led by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Partner attendance, actions, and progress are routinely scrutinised through tasking and steering groups.
Over the next 12 months, this approach is expected to deliver stronger early intervention for those at risk, improved multi‑agency risk management for repeat VAWG victims, reductions in repeat harm, more timely and higher‑quality safeguarding responses, and increased victim confidence, measured through surveys and lived‑experience feedback.
7, “How is the partnership ensuring that responses to serious violence and VAWG are equitable for Black, Brown and minoritised women who often face additional barriers to reporting and accessing support?” Derby
Police Response
Equity is addressed through a public health, victim centred approach that prioritises lived experience, accessibility and trust. Services commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner are required to demonstrate how they remove barriers to access and meet the needs of diverse communities, while feedback from focus groups, contract monitoring and surveys informs service improvement and workforce training. Community scrutiny mechanisms and partnership engagement help strengthen trust and the refreshed VAWG strategic profile due in 2026 will further improve understanding of disproportionality and unmet need.
8, “What role are by-and-for specialist services playing in the local serious violence and VAWG strategy, and how are they being sustainably funded to support prevention and recovery?” Derby
Police Response
Specialist services play a critical role in prevention, safeguarding and recovery, particularly for those least likely to engage with statutory services. Organisations such as Safe and Sound, Remedi, Supporting Communities and community-based youth providers deliver mentoring, outreach, restorative interventions and trauma informed support. These services are commissioned and funded through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner using Serious Violence Duty and Home Office funding, with outcomes monitored through formal contract management, although longer term funding sustainability remains a recognised risk.
9, “What proportion of our serious violence and VAWG funding is currently invested in prevention and early intervention compared to crisis response?” Derby
Police Response
The majority of serious violence and VAWG funding in Derbyshire is focused on prevention and early intervention. Investment is weighted towards school-based education, youth diversion, mentoring, bystander programmes, community engagement and early help pathways, with crisis response and enforcement maintained where necessary to manage risk. This reflects a clear prevention first approach aligned to a public health model of violence reduction led by the force’s Prevention and Partnerships team.
10, To what extent are we recognising and addressing misogyny as a root cause of serious violence and violence against women and girls, particularly among young people?” Derby
Police Response
Misogyny is recognised as both a cultural and behavioural driver of violence and is actively addressed through education, prevention and behaviour change activity. This includes school sessions on misogyny, coercive control and healthy relationships, active bystander programmes, public awareness campaigns such as Call It Out and safeguarding initiatives within the night time economy. Internally, the force is also addressing misogyny through upstander training, sexual harassment prevention and professional standards reform, demonstrating a whole system approach.
11, If we truly want to reduce serious violence and violence against women and girls, what are we doing to challenge misogyny early — particularly with boys and young men — before those attitudes become behaviours?” Derby
Police Response
The partnership is tackling misogyny early by working with boys and young men in schools, youth settings and community spaces before attitudes escalate into harmful behaviour. This includes classroom-based education, targeted youth mentoring, diversionary programmes, VR based decision making tools and sports led engagement delivered with trusted partners. These interventions focus on challenging harmful norms, promoting respect and accountability, and providing positive male role models, reinforcing the shift towards early, preventative action rather than reacting afterwards.
12, I watched a horrendous crime on forensics. Real csi a young woman walking home was grabbed violently beaten and raped in a phone box in public view. My question is are there any plans for more police presence….street angels anything to make our streets safer when women are simply going for a night out. Are rape alarms still a thing? I just couldn’t believe this still happens in today’s society. Men preying on women who have had a few drinks. And as much as we want it to be safe it is not safe for women to walk the streets alone. South Derbyshire
Police Response
Thank you for raising this deeply important issue. The incident you describe is incredibly distressing, and it understandably raises questions about the safety of women and girls in public spaces. No one should feel unsafe simply walking home or enjoying an evening out, and tackling predatory behaviour is a core priority for the force.
Police Presence and Patrol Activity
We are continuing to strengthen police visibility across the night time economy. This includes:
- Targeted uniformed patrols based on intelligence and identified high risk locations
- Plain clothes officers under Operation Vigilant/Nightwatch, proactively identifying predatory individuals
- Close working with licensed premises, CCTV operators and door staff to intervene early where risk is identified
These deployments are regularly reviewed to ensure resources are used effectively and placed in areas of greatest harm.
Licensing Officers Supporting Venues
Our Licensing Officers play a crucial role in supporting safety in the night time economy. Their work includes:
- Regular visits to licensed venues, offering guidance on spotting vulnerability and taking early action
- Ensuring venues have robust safeguarding and welfare procedures, including managing people who appear isolated or under the influence
- Supporting venues to train staff in recognising signs of predatory behaviour, unsafe situations, and individuals who may be at increased risk
- Working in partnership with venue managers to strengthen responsible management practices and encourage safer environments
This proactive engagement ensures that safeguarding is embedded into the culture of our pubs, bars, and clubs not just police operations.
Ask for Angela
Many of our venues also participate in the Ask for Angela scheme. This provides anyone who feels unsafe, uncomfortable, or threatened with a discreet way to seek help from venue staff. Staff have been trained to respond appropriately by:
- Providing a safe space
- Offering assistance with leaving a situation
- Contacting police or friends/family if necessary
We continue to encourage more venues to adopt and maintain the scheme, with licensing officers supporting training and implementation.
Partnership Support and Community Safety Initiatives
We work closely with local authorities, community safety partners, and night time economy venues to strengthen safety measures. While volunteer groups like “Street Pastors” are not currently established in every area, we continue to explore options with partners that could enhance visible community support.
Personal Safety Devices and Technology
Yes, personal safety alarms are still widely used, but there are also modern alternatives. In addition to traditional alarms, we also promote the Hollie Guard personal safety app, which provides enhanced protective features. With a simple tap or shake of your phone, Hollie Guard can:
- Send an immediate, discreet alert to chosen emergency contacts
- Automatically record video and audio evidence
- Track your live location
These tools cannot prevent offending but may help draw attention quickly and provide reassurance when travelling alone.
Reporting Unsafe Locations – StreetSafe
We encourage the public to report any location where they feel unsafe due to poor lighting, layout, behaviour, or environmental concerns via the StreetSafe online tool.
StreetSafe reports help us and our partners identify problem areas and shape both patrol planning and environmental improvements.
The responsibility for violence rests solely with those who choose to offend. However, we remain fully committed to making Derbyshire safer through visible policing, targeted operations, partnership work, and by encouraging the use of tools like StreetSafe and Hollie Guard. We will continue to act on intelligence, public feedback, and operational learning to ensure every person feels safe in their community.
13, I am writing to ask what specific safeguarding measures your office is taking to protect women in our community, particularly in light of the UK Supreme Court ruling of 16 April 2026, which reinforced the need for stronger and more consistent protections for women. Safeguarding is a critical responsibility, and I am keen to understand how this ruling is being reflected in local policing practice. Erewash
Police Response
As a force, we already have a range of powers to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), and ensure they are used consistently and effectively in a way that supports the victim and ultimately makes them feel safer.
Specific safeguarding includes external engagement such as the women’s voices advisory group, online webinars and targeted engagement.
The supreme court ruling does not change our commitment to ensuring that we will continue to ensure that we play a pivotal role in safeguarding women and preventing harm. The force will ensure that perpetrators of VAWG are pursued, face consequences and be held accountable for their actions.
Victims’ needs are a central consideration in investigations, and victims should be fully supported in achieving the right outcome for their individual case and circumstances.
The force maintains a dedicated High Harm Team within the Prevention and Partnerships Team, focused on the proactive management of a cohort of the highest risk offenders. This team drives the robust use and application of Civil Orders, ensuring they are effectively pursued, monitored and enforced to reduce risk and prevent further harm. Over recent years, the force has significantly increased its use of Civil Orders as part of a wider preventative and protective approach to tackling VAWG and serious violence.
In addition, the force places strong emphasis on early intervention and prevention, delivering extensive education and engagement with children and young people around misogyny, healthy relationships, consent and online safety. This work is designed to challenge harmful attitudes at an early stage and reduce the likelihood of future offending or victimisation.
The force also works closely with partners to promote safety within the night time economy, supporting environments that are safer for women and girls. As part of this work, the force is currently seeking the views of women and girls who reside in Derbyshire to better understand their concerns and experiences, ensuring that policing activity and partnership responses are informed, targeted and victim focused.
In Derbyshire, we are investing significant resources into protecting people from becoming both future perpetrators and victims, addressing behaviour early before it escalates and enhancing our support facilities to safeguard survivors from future harm.
14, What safeguards exist to ensure that victims of violence against women and girls, particularly those who are disabled or neurodivergent, are not misidentified or treated as suspects when reporting harm? Derby
Police Response
All victims have a legal protection under the Equality Act 2010, and they must not be discriminated against due to a disability. A victim-centred approach is always adopted in relation to offences of violence against women and girls and a Victim Needs Assessment (VNA) is designed to identify any vulnerabilities and adjustments that are required as a result. To ensure that this is achievable, trauma informed practice training is delivered to all front-line officers and staff so that the appropriate response is provided to victims. Our control room staff also receive this training so that victims receive the right service from the first point of contact.
Specific training in relation to the identification of diversity and the perceived barriers relating to neurodivergence is also provided to the PIP 2 Investigators who work in the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) and High-Risk Domestic Abuse (HRDA) teams.
15, Only 1.2% progress in violence against women and girls. What is Derbyshire policing doing to prioritise the safety of women in its communities addressing the misogyny that drives the hate and violence to women. Derbyshire Dales
Police Response
The force recognises that misogyny can be a driving factor in Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and that lower‑level behaviours may escalate into more serious offending if left unchallenged. To address this, the force prioritises effective training for officers and staff, strong partnership working, and meaningful community engagement. Officers and staff receive training to identify misogynistic behaviours and provide a victim‑centred response, and they are encouraged to challenge or report inappropriate conduct in the workplace through Upstander training.
The force supports national strategies, including the VAWG framework, which prioritises offences such as domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual violence, and seeks to improve the service provided to victims. Working with partners, the force delivers educational initiatives, identifies opportunities for early intervention, and promotes the reporting of harassment and abuse. An intelligence‑led approach assists in identifying repeat offenders, high‑risk individuals, and locations that may require targeted patrols.
The force’s Call It Out campaign raises awareness of misogyny and abusive behaviour towards women and girls by highlighting the types of behaviours that contribute to harm. Aimed primarily at young men, the campaign encourages them to challenge the unacceptable behaviour of peers and help shift social norms. To date, over 1,500 students across the county have received briefings, and campaign videos have been shared with football supporters at Derby County and Chesterfield fixtures.
The campaign has also been extended into the night‑time economy, with bars and clubs encouraged to adopt a zero‑tolerance approach. Under this initiative, any male displaying misogynistic or abusive behaviour is removed from the premises immediately.
16, What specific, measurable changes have actually happened in Derbyshire as a result of the Serious Violence Duty in reducing Violence Against Women and Girls—and how are you evidencing that impact? In particular: • What early-warning mechanisms are in place across agencies to identify escalating risk before harm occurs? • How is accountability genuinely shared across partners such as health, housing and social care in preventing VAWG? • What has changed in practice to reduce repeat victimisation, and how are you measuring whether those changes are working? • How is lived experience being recognised as a form of intelligence, and how does it directly shape decision-making? A response that speaks to real outcomes, not just strategy, would be appreciated. Derby
Police Response
The force recognises that effective information sharing is essential in preventing harm from escalating. Tools such as the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour‑Based Violence (DASH) risk assessment enable officers to identify immediate risk and implement appropriate safeguarding measures. Where risk is assessed as high, cases are referred to a Multi‑Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), where partners develop a coordinated, victim‑centred safety plan. Multi‑Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH) provide a central point for early intervention, operating to agreed protocols and response timeframes. Across all structures, accountability is shared, with each agency responsible for delivering defined elements of the safeguarding response.
The force has also piloted a Multi‑Agency Tasking and Coordination (MATAC) approach in North‑East Derbyshire, targeting repeat domestic abuse perpetrators. This represents a shift from reactive policing to a proactive, multi‑agency offender‑management model.
To improve timeliness and reduce victim disengagement, the force and the Crown Prosecution Service have introduced Real Time Case Conversations (RTCC), enabling discussion of domestic abuse cases within five working days. This process aims to identify and resolve case issues early and speed up charging decisions. A full evaluation of RTCC will take place later this year.
Victim and survivor feedback remains central to service improvement. In February 2026, the force launched its first Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) survey, providing a new mechanism for capturing victim experiences in Derbyshire. This insight will help shape future improvements and ensure services better meet the needs of those affected.
17, A significant proportion of Violence Against Women and Girls remains hidden, particularly where it intersects with immigration status, housing insecurity, poverty, mental health, and community or cultural pressures. These are often the circumstances in which risk is most acute and least visible. With that in mind, I would like to ask: How are you identifying and responding to hidden forms of Violence Against Women and Girls in Derbyshire, particularly where women do not present to police or feel unable to report? In particular: • How are wider services, such as health, housing and community organisations, both enabled and held to account for recognising and responding to VAWG? • What accessible and trusted pathways exist for women who are unable or unwilling to engage with formal systems? • How are you ensuring that those facing multiple and overlapping barriers are not excluded from protection and support? I would welcome a response that sets out how hidden harm is understood and addressed in practice. Derby
Police Response
There are many hidden forms of violence against women and girls, such as coercive and controlling behaviour and our officers and staff are trained to respond in a way which is victim-centred and suspect-focused. It is important to not treat incidents in isolation, but to look for patterns and trends instead. Professional curiosity is key and officers are taught to adopt a trauma-informed approach and ask open questions
These services are enabled through training and funding, and they are held to account through inspection and regulation by bodies such as Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC), as well as performance monitoring. There are statutory obligations through the Serious Violence Duty and legislation such as Domestic Abuse Act 2021 which provide mandates and multi-agency structures such as the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) allow for there to be a shared management of risk. Accountability is driven through governance structures such as the Safeguarding Adults Boards, the Safeguarding Children Partnership Board and the Community Safety Partnership.
For women who are unable or unwilling to engage with formal systems, there are several other options available to them. Derbyshire Victim Services are available to all victims of crime or harm and there is no requirement for them to have made a report to the police. The Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Helpline is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and they act as a gateway to support without commitment required. Community-based outreach programs such as The Elm Foundation, Crossroads Derbyshire and NCHA Derbyshire WISH can provide one-to-one support in a neutral safe space. There are also therapeutic and recovery-focused pathways that provide victims with specialist counselling and support.
This is achieved through a combination of local policy, strong partnership working and victim support that is tailored to their needs. The support services used are both targeted and inclusive and accessible communication methods are used. There is good engagement with community groups in order to build trust with marginalised populations. Where there are multiple and overlapping barriers, it is key to work with our partnerships to share information and discuss safety planning.
Serious Violence General
18, What procedures do the police have in place to help prevent such crimes once a person reports to the police they are at risk of being attacked? South Derbyshire
Police Response
An initial safeguarding plan (ISP) is completed with a person who is identified as vulnerable and the aim is to take them out of crisis at the earliest opportunity. They can be created and deployed at all of the three stages of an incident: first contact, initial response and continued responsibility. Safeguarding measures will always form part of this plan and can include target hardening advice, referrals to specialist partner agencies and the arrest of a suspect.
A risk assessment will be completed to identify the level of danger as this will determine what safeguarding actions are required. Protective orders such as Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Stalking Protection Orders are considered where appropriate.
Consideration is also given to whether there is a risk to the wider public and if so, additional safeguarding measures can be implemented, such as targeted high-visibility foot patrols in a specific location.
19, When a disabled / neurodivergent victim reports violence against them, what safeguards are in place to ensure that differences in communication, distress response, or presentation do not influence whether the incident is formally recorded as a crime? Derby
Police Response
The force has a crime recording policy which is compliant with the National Crime Recording Standards (NCRS) and Home Office Counting Rules (HOCR). Where a crime is reported, it must be appropriately recorded and there can be no discretion applied. There is a strong governance structure in place which oversees this and ensures that we remain compliant. The Force Crime Registrar (FCR) is appointed by the force to ensure that nationally agreed standards, for the recording of crime and the administration of crime records, are complied with, and that they are applied consistently. The FCR is the final arbiter in relation to interpretation of the standards, and they also have a responsibility for developing and maintaining the audit processes required to assess and improve levels of compliance. The FCR reports to the Deputy Chief Constable.
The Victim Needs Assessment (VNA) is a key element of the first contact with a victim. It helps assess and prioritise their individual needs, identify vulnerabilities, determines the eligibility for Enhanced Rights under the Victims’ Code of Practice and the support available. This will assist officers in identifying whether the victim has a disability or is neurodivergent. Officers and staff can readily access guidance on how to communicate with people with autism on our force Intranet page.
20, What training is provided to officers to ensure that behaviours associated with trauma, PTSD, or neurodivergence are not misinterpreted as suspicious, uncooperative, or indicative of wrongdoing? Derby
Police Response
Trauma response and Trauma informed practice are covered in the Specialist Sexual Assault Investigators Development Programme (SSAIDP) training which has been delivered to PIP 2 investigators within the force High-Risk Domestic Abuse (HRDA) and Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) teams. Additionally, there is a section in this course which covers the identification of diversity for victims and suspects, and this specifically includes a discussion regarding neurodivergence. There is a group work exercise around perceived barriers and considerations for support for victims and suspects.
Training in relation to trauma informed approaches form part of the RASSO First Responder course which was delivered to front line response officers.
Other
21, Why is Derbyshire Constabulary so corrupt? Derby
Police Response
Concerns about corruption in policing are understandable, especially given how much trust the public places in officers and staff. However, corruption is not representative of policing as a whole, and there are strong safeguards in place to prevent, detect, and deal with it.
Police forces operate within a robust framework of oversight and accountability. Every force has its own Professional Standards Department (PSD) and a dedicated Counter‑Corruption Unit, whose sole purpose is to identify misconduct, investigate concerns, and take action where standards fall short. These teams work proactively, using intelligence, audits, and monitoring processes, to protect the integrity of the organisation.
In addition, policing is scrutinised by independent national bodies:
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) regularly inspects every force, including their approach to ethics, integrity, and corruption prevention.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) oversees the most serious and sensitive complaints, ensuring they are handled impartially and independently of the police.
The vast majority of officers and staff work hard every day to uphold professional standards and serve their communities with honesty and integrity. When wrongdoing does occur, it is taken extremely seriously and dealt with through clear, transparent processes.
For information on how to raise a concern or make a complaint, visit the local force website or the IOPC at: https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk