Cops and hospital sign pledge to protect vulnerable

(CNS): The country’s top cop and hospital boss have entered into a memorandum of understanding to support the critical investigation processes surrounding young and vulnerable victims or witnesses of crime, officials have revealed. Police commissioner David Baines and Lizzette Yearwood CEO of the Health Services Authority said it will help the agencies to work together regarding sensitive interviews and video recordings, following the signing on Wednesday. The MOU is expected to strengthen the development of an inter agency approach in child and young person investigations and the specialist requirements or aftercare to victims.

“An independent specialist care interview site has been set up through external funding in the Health Services authority which will be utilized by the Police in this partnership approach. Through additional specialist training to officers, support from HSA specialists and the provision of technical equipment the delicate investigations will continue well away from the Police Station environment,” the officials said in a release from the RCIPS.

They also hope that the MOU will help to make the most cost effective use of both agencies resources whilst supporting the critical needs of victims.

The RCIPS Business Manager Mr. Peter Davis who steered the memorandum and assisted the two agencies to the agreement described it as a cornerstone and ground breaking agreement in safeguarding children allowing delicate criminal investigations to be conducted through effective partnership.

“It will allow Police Officers to undergo some access to very sophisticated training in child protection interviews and the Health services to continue to develop its support structures in the care and treatment of victims during the investigation processes.”

Yearwood said the HSA was looking forward to partnering with the RCIPS to enhance its approach to “supporting this vulnerable population and to bring the perpetrators to justice.”