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Original poster

Is a family liaison officer police?

16 replies

TheChosenTwo · 18/07/2022 20:42

No idea, one is coming to my house tomorrow, what’s he going to talk to me about? Accident in the family, I know what happened, he’s bringing me possessions but what else is he going to talk about?
TIA

OP posts:
PartyPlan · 18/07/2022 20:56

Yes, they usually are officers with special training. Sorry for your loss.

Ohtoberoavingagain · 18/07/2022 21:19

A FLO is a specially trained office, is contact for the family in difficult situations, usually when a person has died and the police are involved but can also be involved when someone is missing or say in a coma following an attack.

SurpriseSurprise · 18/07/2022 21:20

Hope everything is ok OP

PuckeredArseFace · 18/07/2022 21:21

They are there to support you and your family. I'm sorry for your loss

Snowneep · 18/07/2022 21:21

Yes, they are trained officers either uniformed or CID who have taken extra training to provide support to families. They are primarily there to make sure you receive all the information you need and to answer any questions you may have. They may also have some questions for you about your family member to help with an investigation if there is one.

I’m sorry for your loss

EntertainingandFactual · 18/07/2022 21:26

They are the link between the family and the investigating team. You ask as many questions as you like and they answer as many questions as they can.

They are there to support you and are there to give you a voice. Concerns, questions, information you might want to pass on.
They also make sure that you are up to date with all the formalities.

I’m sorry for your loss OP.

Original poster
TheChosenTwo · 18/07/2022 21:26

Thank you. Don’t think I’ve actually got to the grief stage yet, too much to do.
why is he coming to my house though? I mean other than to return possessions? Is he going to want to tell me what happened? Will he let me see the cctv footage of what happened? Will he care about my floor not being steamed?? (The last one is kind of a joke, I will be steaming it anyway 🙈)

OP posts:
Original poster
TheChosenTwo · 18/07/2022 21:27

Oh thanks to you too @EntertainingandFactual , we cross posted!

OP posts:
Original poster
TheChosenTwo · 18/07/2022 21:28

Oh ffs when I opened this to look I didn’t see all the other replies 😳
going back to read them all now.
thank you everyone in advance…

OP posts:
EntertainingandFactual · 18/07/2022 21:30

They don’t care what your carpet looks like.
They really don’t! 😊
They come to your house primarily so that you don’t have to go to them. It also helps them understand family circumstances/situation a bit better.

Hellocatshome · 18/07/2022 21:30

They come to your house as its supposed to make you feel more comfortable and stop you having to go to a police station which might be a distressing experience for you. They won't care about your floors. Hope you are as ok as its possible to be with regards your situation.

Original poster
TheChosenTwo · 18/07/2022 21:37

I offered to meet him halfway so as not to inconvenience him too much 😫 now I feel
embarrassed that he was just doing his job and I didn’t want to put him out…
okay, well thank you everyone, I sort of understand what might happen. Will he be in police clothes? I don’t want to freak my dc out, I’ve just told them someone is coming round for a chat about relative, would just like to prepare them in case they happen to come in to the room. Shall I get them out of the house?
Christ, couldn’t we have just done this over the phone 😳😳

OP posts:
Original poster
TheChosenTwo · 18/07/2022 21:39

And thank you all for your kindness, it was a horrible shock to be honest and although I feel broken somewhere inside me, I can’t quite process anything. I’m trying to focus on the next 3 days at work before the summer holidays kick in and then hopefully can have some time to deal with all the shitstorm that the death has brought about.
appreciate all your comments 💐

OP posts:
PuckeredArseFace · 18/07/2022 22:13

They’ll come in normal clothes my darling . They come to you to help make this awful time less stressful

RAINSh0wers · 18/07/2022 22:19

We had a family liaison officer when my dad was killed in an accident. She came with his possessions, was at the hospital when we identified his body etc. She was a comforting presence, but quite matter of fact which we needed in the shock of it all. She was retiring otherwise I’m not sure if she’d have been in contact in the run up to the trial as well.

If someone can be around to entertain the DCs or take them for a walk it might be useful so you’re not distracted and can take in what’s being said.

Papergirl1968 · 18/07/2022 22:37

They may also ask for a photo of your relative and for you to say a few words about them that they can release to the media via the police press office. This would be helpful if they needed to do a witness appeal and may also mean the media don't come knocking at your door themselves.
The FLO will support you through any inquest, court case etc and generally keep you updated as the inquiry progresses.

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