‘Systemic Deficiencies’ in Handling of Domestic Abuse Allegations Against UK Police Officers

Watchdog's report found no evidence allegations were handled worse than in other cases

Cut-out silhouettes representing women are set up outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters New Scotland Yard in an action by Refuge, the domestic abuse charity, to highlight the issue of women who have been killed by male police officers or former police officers, in London on Oct. 7, 2021. Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images

One of the biggest investigations ever into the way police forces in England and Wales investigate domestic abuse allegations against their own officers has found there are “systemic deficiencies” and has recommended a series of improvements.

But a joint report by the College of Policing, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found no evidence investigations involving serving officers were conducted any differently than other domestic abuse allegations.