Team members at St Martins recently welcomed Sarah, Prevent and Engagement Officer from Norfolk Police’s Professional Standards Department, for a training session designed to strengthen awareness, safeguarding, and confidence in reporting concerns about the police.
The session focused on the professional standards and behaviours expected of police officers and police staff, with the aim of maintaining public trust and confidence.
Working with vulnerable people, St Martins team may be trusted with sensitive information by the people they support. The training provided practical guidance on how to respond if a somebody raises concerns about police conduct, giving examples of the kinds of things that are inappropriate.
The high profile cases of Wayne Couzens and David Carrick were referenced, and the training explored serious issues including Abuse of Position for a Sexual Purpose and Police Perpetrated Domestic Abuse, helping us recognise warning signs and understand how concerns can be reported.
Sarah explained that while the majority of police officers are dedicated, professional public servants, it is essential that organisations and communities remain vigilant and confident in reporting behaviours that fall short of those standards.
The visit reflects the importance of strong partnerships between charities and public services, working together to keep people safe and ensure that anyone who raises a concern knows they will be listened to and supported.