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AAP
AAP
National
Samantha Lock

Police reject key proposals of domestic violence review

NSW Police will only support one of the 13 recommendations about its response to domestic violence. (Steven Saphore/AAP PHOTOS)

The NSW Police force has not supported key recommendations made by an independent review after the law enforcement watchdog identified major gaps in its response to domestic and family violence.

A four-year review into the force's response looked at more than 200 complaint investigations, culminating in a NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission report released in June. 

The review found poor record-keeping practices, inadequate police training and conflicts of interest.

But in its response published on Thursday, NSW Police indicated it only formally supported one of the 13 recommendations. 

It agreed "in principle" or "in part" to nine of the recommendations and did not support three other proposals made by the LECC. 

Chief Commissioner Peter Johnson SC said part of the commission's review covered police handling of conflict-of-interest issues where police officers were involved in domestic and family violence incidents.

"We saw problems with the way in which police managed conflicts of interest when another police officer was said to be involved in the domestic or family violence," he said at the time.

Of the 222 complaint investigations reviewed, 70 related to 60 officers being involved in domestic and family violence incidents with 17 of those charged with offences.

Of the 60 officers involved, 11 were found to have been previously investigated for domestic and family violence, in some cases more than once.

The LECC recommended that in matters where a police officer is investigated for the offences, NSW Police amend its operating procedures to specify the investigation should be transferred to another command.

The force rejected the recommendation, advising the commission that a transfer would only occur should a commander determine any conflict "cannot be appropriately managed".

It also rejected a recommendation that officers should activate their body worn video cameras (BWV) when responding to domestic violence incidents, advising it is up to their discretion.

"The decision to use BWV, whilst strongly encouraged, remains with the NSWPF officer/s attending any incident," NSW Police said.

The commission urged police to keep clear records of all domestic and family violence allegations and incidents.

"There were times when a victim reported violence to police but there was no police record of the victim's report," Mr Johnson said.

"There were occasions when no statement was taken from the victim and there was no attempt to take statements from other witnesses."

It also suggested mandatory domestic violence training for all general duties police officers, a recommendation the force said it will consider.

Mr Johnson said the commission would be following up on the outcomes of its recommendations.

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