RASSO unit and officers currently under investigation 296/2024

FOI Reference: 296/2024

Request:

1 - Does your force have a dedicated RASSO unit? 

2 - At 11th March 2023, how many vacancies does your force have for specific RASSO officers (rape and serious sexual offences)? 

3 - How many officers in your force are currently under investigation for criminal offences. Please break these down by offence type. 

Response 1:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

Dyfed-Powys Police does not have a dedicated RASSO unit. However, the Bluestone Team went live in March 2024. This team establishes contact with victims of rape who have told someone of the rape (third party), rather than wishing to have reported it themselves to police for a criminal justice outcome. Such incidents are referred to as “tells” rather than “reports”. The Bluestone Team will contact the victim via video response if they consent to such method of contact. The team will inform the victim of the options available to them, offering the option of an ISVA to join the call and provide support. The team will have a victim centred approach. If the victim does wish to go forth to pursue a criminal justice outcome, the team will obtain an initial account and handover the investigation to CID. They will also review suspect risk and feasibility for civil orders.  

Response 2:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

We have Op Bluestone which deals with RASSO, within that area we currently have 2 vacancies.

Response 3:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

4 = 3 x Domestic Abuse, 1 x sexual assault

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 18/04/2024)