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Tips for Smart Cops Series
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1. FPM 20-37(21) provides general guidelines concerning release of information to members of the public, which states that "A reply to a letter from an insurance company, a security organisation or a detective agency relating to a claim for loss or theft and fire accident, etc, is to be confined to a statement that a report has or has not been received, that inquiries have been made and the results of those inquiries. A Formation Data Administrator (FDA) may only give confirmation that a report regarding a particular incident had been made". 2. By virtue of FPM 20-37(21), the information provided should only be confined to factual information and personal judgment about the circumstances of the death should not be provided. The cause of death should only be provided after a death inquest had been held. 3. FPM 38-11(15) stipulates that "Officers conducting death enquiries should be aware that in some cases, the properly interested persons might not wish to accept the fact of the death. It is imperative that such cases are handled with tact and sensitivity. Where possible, the properly interested persons will be kept updated verbally on the progress of the investigation. The properly interested persons should be informed that as soon as possible whether the Coroner has decided to hold an inquest. If the Coroner decides not to hold an inquest and the properly interested persons are dissatisfied with the Coroner's decision, they should be informed of their right to apply to the Court of First Instance under Section 20 Cap. 504. At the end of a death investigation, the investigation officer may, if he feels it is necessary, consider holding a 'closure' interview with the properly interested persons to help them overcome their natural feelings of grief". (This column is contributed by the Complaints and Internal Investigations Branch)
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