Discover how the Police Referral Service works with other Police Reponses
Policing responses are mostly directed by legislation and policy and require a number of special reporting obligations for police. Some of these include child protection, domestic and family violence, mental health and victims of physical violence.
Police Referrals is one of a number of policing responses that the QPS adopts, depending on the circumstances, and is in addition to the requirements of a statutory or police-directed police response. At all times the law and policies are first and foremost.
1. Child Protection
If an officer holds serious or significant concerns for the safety and wellbeing of a child, they would continue to follow the department’s child harm referral process and seek advice from the relevant Child Protection and Investigation Unit (CPIU). In this way, police referrals are not considered an alternative response to child harm reporting processes. Mostly children / parents referred to Service Providers through our Service are on the lower end of the severity scale.
2. Domestic and Family Violence
Police must follow the statutory and policy requirements in relation to domestic and family violence as per our department procedures. Offering a Police Referral does not negate these requirements. Whether or not police are satisfied domestic violence has occurred and other police action has been taken, police typically will offer a referral to a person who they believe would benefit from engagement with a Service Provider, and believe such contact may reduce the likelihood of future victimisation, recidivism and /or police involvement.
3. Mental Health
Police are obligated under the Mental Health Act 2000 to attend and take action if they believe a person is suffering from mental illness and in crisis. The action of police officers taking a person to hospital is seen as an immediate referral to a health organisation. When officers consider that a person may be in need of assessment or treatment by a mental health service provider and where there is no immediate risk to persons or property, officers will ask the person if they will voluntarily obtain an assessment or treatment before considering other options. If an immediate referral or voluntary assessment is not applicable, and the officer believes the person may benefit from the assistance of a mental health support service, a Police Referral may be considered. In this situation, the person’s consent for a Police Referral must be obtained.
4. Acts of Violence
Under the ‘Charter of Victims’ Rights’ officers are required to advise all victims of an ‘act of violence’ of the services provided by Victim Assist Queensland (VAQ). VAQ offers financial assistance and support service to aid victims in recovering from such an incident. VAQ can also offer assistance with the provision of a “Victim Impact Statement”.
Where an officer believes a victim requires the assistance of Victim Assist Queensland, a Police Referral is to be submitted.
Police Referrals may also be used to complement a traditional policing response. For example a drink driver being prosecuted may also consent to a Police Referral for alcohol misuse, if it is identified that support for alcohol dependency may be beneficial.