Policies on Family Liaison Officers

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FIN/25/003695/U

Version Date: 01/10/2025

The Crime and Criminal Justice Department has provided the following information:

I would like to request a copy of your policies on Family Liaison Officers, in particular, in relation to their deployment in the case of families bereaved by suicide.

I would be grateful if you could answer the following questions:
1. What guidance do you follow for the deployment of family liaison officers?
(a) National Police Chiefs Council found here: Working with victims and witnesses | College of Policing
(b) Your own guidance or policies, if so, please may you provide a copy
(c) Other, please detail what these are

a) We follow national guidance provided by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

2. Does your guidance allow for the deployment of Family Liaison Officer’s in the case of families bereaved by suicide?
(a) Yes, if so, please detail the requirement for deployment
(b) No, if not please detail the reason for this

Yes, Family Liaison Officers (FLOs) are deployed in the following circumstances:
- Murder/manslaughter
- Fatal Road Traffic Collisions
- Rail Fatalities
- Incidents of mass disorder/fatalities
- Any other ‘critical incident’ where family liaison might enhance the effectiveness of the police response.

FLOs do not routinely deploy to families bereaved by suicide and only do so if there is an investigative need.