The police are the lead on any investigation,
they have the powers to search and seize evidence. If they fear
for other children in your care (including your own) they can
have them removed from your home.
If you are arrested they can search for evidence
on you and the area you were arrested in without a warrant.
Should the case not be treated as suspicious,
but treated as an unexplained death, they may offer you a Police
Family Liaison Officer (PFLO). They will often assist with any
information on support groups that maybe appropriate. They are
not always kept totally up to date with every element of the case,
due to the fact the Senior Investigating Officer will keep their
cards close to their chest, even from other Police Officers.
Be aware if you do accept a PFLO into your home,
some people regard them as ‘spies in the camp’. As
they have a duty to report back on anything that concerns them,
or on any evidence they gather. You do not have to accept one,
but consult your solicitor if you feel concerned.
The Police will take your DNA, Fingerprints and
Photos if you arrested (make sure when you are found innocent
these records are destroyed – in your presence – do
not trust them to carry it out – they may forget). Also
you will be searched and items that may cause harm to yourself
or others will be taken from you. Other items such as Money, Wallets,
Purses, Jewellery, Clothing etc can or will be taken from you.
So if you get a chance, leave them somewhere else. It is a very
degrading process to be subjected to; my wife had her skirt removed
as it had a cord through it (a possible hanging risk). The Police
have a duty to place you in suitable clothing, and the Paper Suit
is universally can be seen as suitable clothing in the UK.
If the Police are in your home without a warrant
to arrest you or search, you can ask them to leave.
Please accept that this will happen and prepare
yourself as best as you can. Remember you are Innocent till Proven
Guilty.
The Police (and CPS) have to prove the case against
you beyond all reasonable doubt.
Finally the Police can place certain restrictions
on you, aka Bail Conditions. They can vary from having to sign
on at a Police Station daily, twice weekly etc. To surrendering
your passport, to not residing at a certain address etc.
The most distressing one for us was that my
wife could not instigate contact with children. However this meant
there would be various problems for our family, as if one of our
children’s friends knocked on the door the Police said my
wife would not be allowed to let them in.
When we pointed out that she would not have instigated
that visit, they said she would then have to leave our house.
At no point did the Bail Condition say that, and it was so poorly
worded and resulted in our children not being able to have friends
round (you could argue, this infringed their Human Rights), until
the Judge in court removed this ridiculous condition. We would
recommend that, in partnership with your solicitor, you should
try and make sure that you do not get placed under such horrendous
conditions.
